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Does this make me theist?
I believe gods exist.......as human thought patterns that strongly effect human behavior. I don't believe in any supreme being that is worthy of worship, but I regard gods as real things, albeit very often poorly described (even in dictionaries).
Yes, except this implies that they are thereby NOT REAL.
So your debate was just a rhetorical question? If you don't believe in God(s) then you aren't a theist, but saying you 'believe Gods exist' is the definition of a theist. Seems kind of contradictory to me.
I see no reason to describe gods as something other than various, albeit significantly similar psychological conditions. If that's what gods -really are- why shouldn't the dictionary reflect that, if not just to avoid upsetting some popular religious sects.
Look up Zeus in the dictionary then tell me why god is not defined more like: One of many mythological beings believed by some to be all powerful, all knowing, the creator of the universe, or to have superhuman powers.
Look up Zeus in the dictionary then tell me why god is not defined more like: One of many mythological beings believed by some to be all powerful, all knowing, the creator of the universe, or to have superhuman powers.
Because the current religions that people follow aren't accepted as mythologies yet.
Im only disputing you because of the debate score...
Because the current religions that people follow aren't accepted as mythologies yet.
By enough people.
My point is that it should be conceiveable that with increased understanding, updates to dictionary definitions of such words should be expected. I could introduce a number of ways that I think god could be better defined, and I, unlike those who make a living publishing dictionaries am not beholden to popular opinion when considering the validity of a definition.
Yes. A being that possesses all positive characteristics maximally. Is this being possible to be imagined? A being in which no greater can be conceived by definition.
Written while rushed and tired (I correct my mistake in a later post)
I have no reason to regard gods as beings, but this depends on semantics...only if by "being" you just mean "something that is", I would I admit that the god of love is a being that is as powerful, knowledgeable and benevolent as is possible.
Just imaginary means that the being is not in actual existence. Being real means being in actual existence. For example, I can imagine a unicorn but that doesn't mean that the being is actually in existence.
I need to make a correction to what I said earlier because I have accidentally (I was tired) misrepresented what I believe. I do not view gods as conscious beings. Instead I suppose they are belief complexes hosted by conscious beings. Further, I believe that since only conscious beings are capable of knowledge, gods (as I understand them) cannot be knowledgeable, powerful or benevolent at all, let alone maximally. Speaking of conscious beings as a class, this class, I think, does possess all the knowlege there currently is, and weilds all the (conscious) power there currently is, and expresses all the benevolence there currently is, but not all that is possible.
The definition of a theist is somebody who believes in some sort of higher power or superior.
What the higher power does, or how much it interferes with our world isn't in the definition. Anyone who believes in the existence of a God is in fact a theist.
The definition of a theist is somebody who believes in some sort of higher power or superior.
Which if you weren't so ignorant, you would realize that I never claimed to recognize any being so described.
What the higher power does, or how much it interferes with our world isn't in the definition.
I don't think of god as a "higher power" but you keep on dishonestly pretending that i, like you, take a theist view of what god is.
Anyone who believes in the existence of a God is in fact a theist.
Maybe someday you will develop the capacity for lateral thought. Until then you will be a slave to the false choices you can't see past.
You can deny it, but you still are.
Just keep on thinking of god as a "higher power" while calling yourself atheist, and I'll keep on pointing out that atheists should consider that definition invalid.
Which if you weren't so ignorant, you would realize that I never claimed to recognize any being so described.
I am staying on the subject. We are debating what a theist is, not what you are.
I don't think of god as a "higher power" but you keep on dishonestly pretending that i, like you, take a theist view of what god is.
See there is your problem. God IS a higher power. If you believe something that isn't a higher power, then you need another name for it. Because God by definition is a higher power.
Maybe someday you will develop the capacity for lateral thought. Until then you will be a slave to the false choices you can't see past.
You keep saying I am insulting you. Consider this - I give you facts, and you just go on and on about how I am incapable of thinking outside the box or whatever you're doing.
Just keep on thinking of god as a "higher power" while calling yourself atheist
1. When did I call myself an atheist?
2. God is a higher power by definition.
I'll keep on pointing out that atheists should consider that definition invalid.
Funny, coming from someone who makes up his own definitions of God and Theism.
I am staying on the subject. We are debating what a theist is, not what you are.
Hey lame fuck, look at the title of this debate
See there is your problem. God IS a higher power.
Earlier you said "I don't believe Gods are anything at all". Which position reflects your true opinion?
God by definition is a higher power.
And you imply that this is the best possible definition that can be produced. I disagree
You keep saying I am insulting you.
I am taking the tone you set. Let me know if you'd like to return to civil discourse.
Consider this - I give you facts, and you just go on and on about how I am incapable of thinking outside the box or whatever you're doing.
Your opinion that the points I bring up are ridiculous is just that an opinion. Only an idiot would call them facts.
1. When did I call myself an atheist?
I was crazy enough to infer that from when you said ""I don't believe Gods are anything at all"
2. God is a higher power by definition.
And you just can't conceive that it is ever appropriate to better define a word.
Funny, coming from someone who makes up his own definitions of God and Theism.
Every definition is made up dipshit. Some are better than others, and just because I'm comfortable challenging a predominate trend and you aren't is no reason to get all stupid about it.
Earlier you said "I don't believe Gods are anything at all". Which position reflects your true opinion?
If you believe in God, you believe he is a higher power.
I am taking the tone you set.
Can you hear my tone?
I was crazy enough to infer that from when you said ""I don't believe Gods are anything at all"
I am not an atheist.
Every definition is made up dipshit. Some are better than others, and just because I'm comfortable challenging a predominate trend and you aren't is no reason to get all stupid about it.
I am a vegetarian. Not the kind you think. I am a vegetarian who eats meat. I don't like the original definition of a vegetarian. I think vegetarians can be lots of things.
While sitting here eating a steak and calling my self a vegetarian, I am not comfortably challenging a predominate trend. I am simply stupid.
I am a vegetarian. Not the kind you think. I am a vegetarian who eats meat. I don't like the original definition of a vegetarian. I think vegetarians can be lots of things.
While sitting here eating a steak and calling my self a vegetarian, I am not comfortably challenging a predominate trend. I am simply stupid.
If you can't explain what's wrong with how "vegetarian" is defined, I would agree.
So you're basically saying that they exist in the minds of those that believe in them but they don't exist in reality. They're imaginary friends, that's what I'm getting from your statement. So, no, you're not a theist.
It sounds like a case where one would say "I believe, that you believe..." For instance, if a person says God told them to murder so and so, and you got the vibe that that's really what that person believes, then you are admitting that you believe that person believes he was told by Gods to do the act, not necessarily that Gods really did it.