Nothing/Everything is sacred

[SATCHMO]

Hi I'm michael I'm new here and look forward to getting into some healthy respectful debate with some of you in the future.
I've often, for the sake of irony, described myself as a theistic atheist. Essentially meaning that I refute the existence of god as a being in the physical world yet I am a strong proponent of faith as a valuable, and to some degree necessary component of human existence. Usually in situations such as this forum I'm the guy who's battling/defending both sides at the same time. I tend to believe that atheists and fundamentalists are one and the same with the major distinction between the two being the literature they subscribe to. I am an avid explorer of all faiths and subscriber to none. I am trying to develope a greater understanding of quantum physics and formalized philosophy, so forgive me if I often articulate myself in a rudimentary way.

[OnceConvinced]

Welcome Satchmo. It will be interesting to see what you have to say.

[McCulloch]

Welcome Sachmo

Do you play like he did?


Might I suggest that you explore the ignostic position?

Ignosticism

• the view that a coherent definition of a deity must be put forward before the question of the existence of a deity can be meaningfully discussed. If the chosen definition isn't coherent, the ignostic holds the noncognitivist view that the existence of a deity is meaningless or empirically untestable. A.J. Ayer, Theodore Drange, and other philosophers see both atheism and agnosticism as incompatible with ignosticism on the grounds that atheism and agnosticism accept "a deity exists" as a meaningful proposition which can be argued for or against. An ignostic cannot even say whether he/she is a theist or a nontheist until a better definition of theism is put forth.

[SATCHMO]

Welcome Sachmo

Do you play like he did?


Might I suggest that you explore the ignostic position?

Ignosticism

• the view that a coherent definition of a deity must be put forward before the question of the existence of a deity can be meaningfully discussed. If the chosen definition isn't coherent, the ignostic holds the noncognitivist view that the existence of a deity is meaningless or empirically untestable. A.J. Ayer, Theodore Drange, and other philosophers see both atheism and agnosticism as incompatible with ignosticism on the grounds that atheism and agnosticism accept "a deity exists" as a meaningful proposition which can be argued for or against. An ignostic cannot even say whether he/she is a theist or a nontheist until a better definition of theism is put forth.

Thank you onceconvinced and McCulloch.

I guess It's true that you learn something new everyday. I had not known about ignosticism and it does seem to be a good description of my beliefs.
I tend to lean toward the belief that the dynamic of faith in god(s) is a semi- essential function of the human mind. I also tend to subscribe to the idea of what most consider God to be similar to what Carl jung would call the collective unconscious or the Freudian concept of the super-ego. I'm very interested in faith and religion in it's most pragmatic sense, and although I would agree with most atheists that the likelihood of science ever proving the existence of god(s) is very slim, I belief we are at the verge of understanding the purpose, dynamics, and benefit of faith related practices.
I am at a point, and I'm echoing my first post ( and quite possibly with this one), where my ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate and I look forward to reading and responding to many of the threads to hone these skills. In a nutshell this is my way of saying "be patient with me, I'm just not as experienced in these matters as most of you are yet"
I will make an honest and sincere effort to be respectful and civil in all circumstances. I do however want to point out that since I don't have a full investment of conviction in either the atheistic or theistic side that in situations where I make bold assertions it's usually for the sake of stimulating thought or a counter-argument that may require a different line of reasoning than what the person(s) being adressed is using
I'm very happy to be here and I look forward to getting to know many of you very soon..[/i]

[Goat]

I am at a point, and I'm echoing my first post ( and quite possibly with this one), where my ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate and I look forward to reading and responding to many of the threads to hone these skills. In a nutshell this is my way of saying "be patient with me, I'm just not as experienced in these matters as most of you are yet"

You will learn, and the phrase 'My ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate' is wonderful. You will do just fine I think

[SATCHMO]

I am at a point, and I'm echoing my first post ( and quite possibly with this one), where my ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate and I look forward to reading and responding to many of the threads to hone these skills. In a nutshell this is my way of saying "be patient with me, I'm just not as experienced in these matters as most of you are yet"

You will learn, and the phrase 'My ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate' is wonderful. You will do just fine I think

Thank you Mr. Goat. This is kind of a transition (big fish/small pond > small fish big pond) for me from a music forum where I spent a lot of time debating religion in a philosophy/religion sub-forum w/ music enthusiasts who, including myself, were at best much better educated in music trivia and history than in science and theology. Thanks for the welcome.

[SATCHMO]

I am at a point, and I'm echoing my first post ( and quite possibly with this one), where my ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate and I look forward to reading and responding to many of the threads to hone these skills. In a nutshell this is my way of saying "be patient with me, I'm just not as experienced in these matters as most of you are yet"

You will learn, and the phrase 'My ability to conceptualize is much greater than my ability to articulate' is wonderful. You will do just fine I think

Thank you Mr. Goat. This is kind of a transition (big fish/small pond > small fish big pond) for me from a music forum where I spent a lot of time debating religion in a philosophy/religion sub-forum w/ music enthusiasts who, including myself, were at best much better educated in music trivia and history than in science and theology. Thanks for the welcome.

[SATCHMO]

So I'm reintroducing myself. I was here back in May and was very excited about this website, but right after I started, through a misunderstanding, I was led to believe that the forum was a lot less active then it actually is because I stopped getting e-mail notifications on post updates. I received the Debating Christianity newsletter and found out that I was quite wrong.

Anyways just wanted to say hello people.

[otseng]

So I'm reintroducing myself. I was here back in May and was very excited about this website, but right after I started, through a misunderstanding, I was led to believe that the forum was a lot less active then it actually is because I stopped getting e-mail notifications on post updates. I received the Debating Christianity newsletter and found out that I was quite wrong.

Anyways just wanted to say hello people.

Welcome back to the forum. Perhaps I should send out newsletters more often.