General Discussion

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)

51. "Agnosticism, in fact, is not a creed, but a method,"

Wed Jan 8, 2014, 11:45 AM

Jan 2014

Thomas Henry Huxley said:

Agnosticism, in fact, is not a creed, but a method, the essence of which lies in the rigorous application of a single principle...Positively the principle may be expressed: In matters of the intellect, follow your reason as far as it will take you, without regard to any other consideration. And negatively: In matters of the intellect do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism

I think to say that an agnostic "doesn't know and doesn't care" is too simplistic.

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Agree or Disagree - Religious DUers are "satisfied with not understanding the world." [View all] el_bryanto Jan 2014 OP

How about "Bullshit Poll" - period? badtoworse Jan 2014 #1

Why is it a bullshit poll? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #2

Because it's the same kind of question as "Have you stopped beating your wife?" badtoworse Jan 2014 #4

No it isn't. el_bryanto Jan 2014 #6

What other one? badtoworse Jan 2014 #7

OK - than the other post was insulting as well? el_bryanto Jan 2014 #8

Dwakins quote is about the religions, you ask about the people, not about the religions. Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #12

I think that comes close to saying that el_bryanto Jan 2014 #14

No, what I am saying is that discussing what is taught by a faith not the same as Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #21

I'm just repeating a quote by Richard Dawkins el_bryanto Jan 2014 #27

But Bryant, you are not repeating his quote, his quote is about the religions, yours is about Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #37

That's your assertion; I'd comment that many look at it differently than you el_bryanto Jan 2014 #38

I'm talking about the verbiage of your post, about people on DU and the verbiage Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #41

Two seperate but interesting points el_bryanto Jan 2014 #45

You're wasting your time skepticscott Jan 2014 #160

I think it would have helped if you provided more information in your OP. badtoworse Jan 2014 #52

Did you know you are literally made up of stardust? snooper2 Jan 2014 #10

Wow, you are blowing my mind! Puzzledtraveller Jan 2014 #26

I believe Sagan's term was hfojvt Jan 2014 #50

Did you mean the "Big Bang"? badtoworse Jan 2014 #53

No LOL, our solar system is only about 4.6 Billion years old snooper2 Jan 2014 #55

There was a book published by Scientific American that described the whole Big Bang sequence badtoworse Jan 2014 #61

We know how our Sun was formed, you are correct snooper2 Jan 2014 #63

Thanks, Looks like a good read. badtoworse Jan 2014 #67

Because it assumes a point and leads the response toward that assumption. /nt demwing Jan 2014 #34

I chose "totally disagree" TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #3

I agree ... LisaLynne Jan 2014 #5

Other - the SOP is useless. /nt pintobean Jan 2014 #9

Ain't that the truth. Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #13

What does SOP stand for? Standard Operating Procedure? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #15

Statement Of Purpose of General Discussion excludes both religion and complaints about Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #16

Ah yes; well I agree that this should be off topic el_bryanto Jan 2014 #19

I'm all for getting religious subjects out of a political forum, including the other one Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #39

Agree, though at least sarisataka Jan 2014 #40

There are many non-religious people "satisfied with not understanding the world." hack89 Jan 2014 #11

Well said!! Puzzledtraveller Jan 2014 #22

And it's a shitty thing for a Du'er to say about another DU'er Marrah_G Jan 2014 #17

This sort of thing get the red out Jan 2014 #18

If you are going to say it about religious folk in general el_bryanto Jan 2014 #23

No, all religious people are not of the same mind get the red out Jan 2014 #28

So you disagree with the Dawkins quote? you think it goes too far? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #30

Sounds like it get the red out Jan 2014 #32

are there really more than six "religious DUers"? hfojvt Jan 2014 #20

Now that would be a good subject for another poll. As long as the doors are open el_bryanto Jan 2014 #25

Depends on the definition of "religious" get the red out Jan 2014 #29

Please tell me that is a joke. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #42

a joke? hfojvt Jan 2014 #43

This message was self-deleted by its author hrmjustin Jan 2014 #44

Thank you for responding. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #46

See you haven't figured out the difference whistler162 Jan 2014 #24

No, not at all. NuclearDem Jan 2014 #31

ANYONE who thinks the world can be so simplistically divided between the smart atheist and Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #33

Well stated loyalsister Jan 2014 #147

Silly straw man skepticscott Jan 2014 #187

that is the implication of what is being implied when someone suggest "- Religious DUers are Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #189

In the first place, no one suggested that skepticscott Jan 2014 #190

19 people so far have voted that they completely agree with that statement and several Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #191

I think many individuals are satisfied with not understanding the world. Xyzse Jan 2014 #35

"Einstein diasassociated himself from the label 'atheist'......." Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #36

agnostic though, is NOT an alternative to atheist hfojvt Jan 2014 #47

"Agnosticism, in fact, is not a creed, but a method," Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #51

Why? Certainly they are admitting hfojvt Jan 2014 #54

"I don't know" is very different from "I don't care" (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #62

but if a person cared then hfojvt Jan 2014 #64

I agree with a) LostOne4Ever Jan 2014 #179

Deeply flawed definition skepticscott Jan 2014 #188

I am an atheist, hard core one. "I KNOW there is no god" doesn't describe me or atheistm. idwiyo Jan 2014 #134

Atheism and agnosticism are not mutually exclusive. NuclearDem Jan 2014 #122

In other words LostOne4Ever Jan 2014 #181

not a religious person myself, but i'm certain i'm going to die before "understanding the world" 0rganism Jan 2014 #48

I am a religious DU'er. hamsterjill Jan 2014 #49

I think we can all agree that this is a bullshit poll, but that other post is fine. ieoeja Jan 2014 #56

That is a fine line isn't it? el_bryanto Jan 2014 #58

Yes, if your definition of "fine line" includes the width of the Mississippi River at St Louis. n/t ieoeja Jan 2014 #59

So "Atheists are assholes" is not the same as "Atheism teaches people to be assholes?" nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #60

Yes. Those are two clearly different statements. n/t ieoeja Jan 2014 #66

No, it's not, for several reasons. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #80

The latter LostOne4Ever Jan 2014 #184

Winner! cleanhippie Jan 2014 #78

Well, that saved me some typing. Thanks. n/t LadyHawkAZ Jan 2014 #96

No, I don't agree CrawlingChaos Jan 2014 #135

Thank you. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #136

This poll is petulant cthulu2016 Jan 2014 #57

"I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world." el_bryanto Jan 2014 #68

Is there something wrong with that quote, its true isn't it? Humanist_Activist Jan 2014 #70

It appears your personal definition definition deviates from both the classical and the contemporary LanternWaste Jan 2014 #69

I don't check my brain at the door when I go to church, nor do I feel like my religion is against hrmjustin Jan 2014 #65

You've stated that you believe a man was literally resurrected from the dead. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #71

My crtical thinking is just fine. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #73

Even when you think a person literally rose from the dead? cleanhippie Jan 2014 #74

How does what work? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #75

Using critical thought and thinking a person literally rose from the dead? cleanhippie Jan 2014 #76

It works just fine. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #77

Yet you are unable, or unwilling, to show just how that works. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #79

How do you want it explained? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #81

Just use your own words. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #83

God did it. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #85

Right. That's not critical thought. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #88

That is a matter of faith and a mystery of faith. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #90

I agree. It's not critical thought, it's faith. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #97

Then kindly demonstrate just how well, won't you? cleanhippie Jan 2014 #82

My silence? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #84

Apparently you are satisfied with not understanding the post you reference. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #72

DU Atheists are such cowards when it comes to this sort of thing, I've noticed. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #86

Have you really? cleanhippie Jan 2014 #89

"Your religion teaches you to be satisfied with not understanding the world." el_bryanto Jan 2014 #92

I have no idea whether you are satisfied with not understanding the world. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #94

What? No distinction between spiritual and religious? Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #87

The quote was about religion, not spirituality. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #93

But your poll is about people, not religion. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #95

People make up a religion el_bryanto Jan 2014 #98

It's apparent that you understand very little. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #99

I think I understand pretty well el_bryanto Jan 2014 #100

If you say so... cleanhippie Jan 2014 #104

Way to go keeping it about issues, not people. rug Jan 2014 #106

Just following your lead. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #107

That must be why you chastised him. rug Jan 2014 #109

That must be why. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #110

OK - thank you for responding to what I said el_bryanto Jan 2014 #113

Anything to make you feel better about yourself. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #143

Glad to see that those who scream the loudest and insist on demeaning others liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #91

I love that this bigoted thread only has one rec. n/t Skip Intro Jan 2014 #101

How is this thread bigoted? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #102

That you don't understand why is the problem. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #108

Let's turn to the dictionary el_bryanto Jan 2014 #115

It's backwards jberryhill Jan 2014 #103

Stupidest. Flamebait. Poll. Ever. 99Forever Jan 2014 #105

Thanks for your contribution el_bryanto Jan 2014 #114

You're welcome. 99Forever Jan 2014 #116

Yep - because attacking religion at DU is just fine and dandy el_bryanto Jan 2014 #117

Exactly. 99Forever Jan 2014 #119

Thanks for clearing that up. el_bryanto Jan 2014 #120

I do what I can. 99Forever Jan 2014 #124

What do you think of us that defend our religions? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #121

Ya mean ... 99Forever Jan 2014 #123

What is your opinion of progressive people of faith? hrmjustin Jan 2014 #125

Nunya. 99Forever Jan 2014 #127

I am not familiar with that response. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #129

Magic isn't real. 99Forever Jan 2014 #130

You don't have to believe it. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #131

I don't. 99Forever Jan 2014 #132

Thank you for you responses and time. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #133

+1 mahina Jan 2014 #154

The only way for me to know for sure about this is to read everyone's palms. Zorra Jan 2014 #111

I thought it was a good poll. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #112

Religious DUERs seem to be a grounded group of people. nt bluestate10 Jan 2014 #118

I'm sure glad some of my fellow DUer's who are atheist fully understand the world. CAG Jan 2014 #126

you can be religious and understand the world Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #128

Oh good! More division! JNelson6563 Jan 2014 #137

I'd say most religious people want to understand the world... MellowDem Jan 2014 #138

So most religious folk are intellectually dishonest? or did I misread? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #139

Yes, by definition... MellowDem Jan 2014 #141

That's just bullshit; people don't mind being called intellectually dishonest? el_bryanto Jan 2014 #142

It's possible they know it and don't care... MellowDem Jan 2014 #146

Can people literally be resurrected from the dead? cleanhippie Jan 2014 #148

Explain your reasoning to me? el_bryanto Jan 2014 #149

One that believes that the laws of physics and the natural laws if the universe can be magically cleanhippie Jan 2014 #150

The kind of intellectual dishonesty explained above el_bryanto Jan 2014 #152

Thank you for your response. I'll stand by my post above. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #155

It does seem that to a number of DU Atheists to be a believer is to be intellectually dishonest el_bryanto Jan 2014 #156

I've noticed you using "DU Atheists" quite a lot. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #157

I think it's because of the way they act el_bryanto Jan 2014 #158

Why are you making shit up? skepticscott Jan 2014 #161

I'm pretty sure I won't be able to to your satisfaction either. el_bryanto Jan 2014 #163

No need to "pretend" that you've missed the point skepticscott Jan 2014 #169

Actually you do make a strong case el_bryanto Jan 2014 #171

The fact that you seem to spend skepticscott Jan 2014 #175

I'm sorry el_bryanto Jan 2014 #177

I don't assume that nothing has been accomplished skepticscott Jan 2014 #183

OK - well i can't exactly wish you good luck, but I hope you find it satisfying. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #185

I agree with El Bryanto kwassa Jan 2014 #182

His alert failed 0 - 6. rug Jan 2014 #164

Thanks for the heads up. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #165

I don't know where to vote, I am agnostic. Rex Jan 2014 #140

Equivocation. Orsino Jan 2014 #144

Atheists want to pretend there's a huge difference between the two el_bryanto Jan 2014 #145

MORON FreakinDJ Jan 2014 #151

I am not interested in making general assertions abou DUers to pick a fight. mahina Jan 2014 #153

Why do the religionists in DU skepticscott Jan 2014 #159

This is in response to another thread el_bryanto Jan 2014 #162

I've noticed you using "religionists in DU" quite a lot. rug Jan 2014 #166

He likes that term. I hate it. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #168

I'm an atheist and I love not knowin' stuff! leeroysphitz Jan 2014 #167

Religious people don't want their beliefs challenged, even if those beliefs are shown to be false. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #170

DO you believe that GD is the place to challenge those beliefs? nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #172

No. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #173

I generally agree; but was responding to a post in GD el_bryanto Jan 2014 #174

I would say that is true with a good number but not all. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #180

I think religious and non-religious would both say... shenmue Jan 2014 #176

I am catholic and a liberal... So there LukeFL Jan 2014 #178

I was going to vote "Totally Disagree," ZombieHorde Jan 2014 #186