Whenever something religious-related ever comes up and somebody asks me what my views are, I think I always give a different answer... I sometimes answer "Atheist", sometimes "Agnostic", sometimes "Freethinker", and sometimes "non-religious". I mean I guess they all give you the generally same idea but I'm trying to figure out which one I should stick to in order to actually be able to give the same answer.
What do you think I'd fit under best? I'll stick some of my views here so you may have an idea of what I should call myself.
So when I was raised as a kid, religion was never something that really existed to me. I never knew or about it and was never told about it really (And I'm really grateful that I wasn't) and I remember in like first grade, whenever kids were asking each other those random questions because we were always so curious, they'd be like "Alex are you Christian or Jewish?" And I'd always answer "I don't believe in God". I never knew of any non-religious terms then but I remember saying that a lot haha. But now I think I have more specific views. For example, I think every religious book like the Bible, Quran, etc are all made up by people so I definitely don't believe in any of those. I don't know if some guy named Jesus was dying on a cross but I'm pretty sure he's not our savior or anything and he most certainly isn't watching over us or anything.
My other issue is "God" is too broad of a term because it seems to mean something different for every single person in existence. He/she/it seems to magically always have the exact same views as whoever is talking about them which are always different at least a little person to person. And I mean I guess technically my "God" could be the supermassive non-living force in the universe that just like represents everything (Does that even make sense?) but I don't think the people who think it's some guy who we must pray to exists. Also a weird addition that separates me from other Atheists [If I am an atheist idk] is I do think sprits and non-physical beings exist, whether it's on a different plain, different dimension, or whatever you want to call it... However Hell (And probably heaven too) is also made up.
Ok so anyway, after reading that, would you say there's a term that fits me best? Writing this out and re-reading it means I should probably stick to Freethinker. (But to be honest I wish I didn't have to have one but I think it'd be helpful when people ask me so I don't have to go on this long rant with all my beliefs and non-beliefs...) Anyway what's your opinion? Thanks :D
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If you do not believe a god exsists you are an atheist.
Why have a pat answer. Just express who you are at the time. I am different things to different people at different times. I often answer when asked,"I don't believe in any gods". However I have answered somewhat differently to the same question. Sometimes I say I am an Atheist, or I am not religious. It just depends on where I am, with whom I am with, and how I feel at that moment.
Freethinker, humanist, skeptic, non-believer or whatever. I don't think anyone wants a label so perhaps you're wondering what adjectives apply? I would say all of those and secular and atheist or agnostic too. Bear in mind these latter three only exist because of religion. When that is marginalized there will be no need for such terms.
You're right to say, "'God' ... seems to mean something different for every single person.." The meaning ranges from "nature" to a specific one like the three-for-one Christian version. It always amuses me to hear of stormy debates such as those in the Philippines recently where the big issue was whether Allah and God are the same god or different gods! :-)
The supernatural only exists in the minds of the superstitious. In reality there are just things we cannot explain or don't understand.
Hm, I think all of the above apply. I mean, you don't believe there's a god, or in any religious figures, so you are an atheist.
Personally, when people ask me what my religious views are, I like to say I am a secular humanist. If they ask any further questions, I stick to the "this is the only life to which I have knowledge of, so I owe it to myself, the planet & those who I am sharing it with to make it the best life I possibly can." Mostly because I live in a very conservative community, and that sounds a lot better than "I don't believe your god." lol
If you lack belief in a god or gods, because there is no sufficient evidence for it, you are an "agnostic atheist".
If you believe that a god or gods do not exist, you are a "gnostic atheist" or "strong atheist".
Belief in a non-personal god, who is like an invisible force and perhaps sparked or guided life, is Deism.
We need to be careful about clumping skeptics and atheists in the same place. Skepticism and Atheism aren't correlated. Yes, you must utilize an element of skepticism when it comes to not believing in sky-fairies, but that doesn't preclude you from thinking that aliens implanted a chip into your cat to beam images of Bea Arthur shaving her legs into your dreams at night.
Atheism is strictly a lack of belief in a god.
There is no evidence of a god or the named messiah Jesus Christ in the historicity of man outside that contained in the bible and other similar works. it is, as you write, made up.
That admission on your part clearly labels you an atheist. Is that to say you are a free thinker? Certainly. I will claim the same rationale.
If, however, some omni-omni being suddenly appeared before me out of thin air and gave me clear evidence of being that god thing only the bible references, then I'd be compelled to change my mind and that is still being a free thinker.
But, for religious purposes, claiming to be a free thinker is another way of saying you're still not quite ready to accept the bible's claims. That tells believers that you are currently atheist. You either embrace the bible and its claims or you don't. To them, there is no acceptable in-between. You are either friend or foe. In certain societies a free thinker is killed out of hand.
So, if your society is ready to off a free thinker, claim to be a believer. If it is more relaxed and flexible, claim to be an atheist. All other terms are needless nomenclature.
Agreed.