<< Your agnosticism keeps bleeding out, Tod. You're no
atheist.
Regards.
Dave. >>
DAR
This Dave, is because you are simply to dense to understand
that atheist means "not" "theist". Are you saying that Tod asserts
the existence of a deity? If he does not assert the existence of a
deity (which he certainly does not), then he is not a theist. Those
who are not theist's, are atheist. This is because the word atheist
simply means, "not theist"
Let me include here something Izzatheist recently sent me:
*****
Defining Agnosticism
There seems to be a widespread misconception about what
"agnostic" means. I would like to make a small contribution to
helping spread the correct, dictionary definition of the word. I
will also show why agnosticism is not mutually exclusive with
atheism, nor with being a Christian, even.
Agnosticism is "an intellectual doctrine or attitude affirming the
uncertainty of all claims to ultimate knowledge" - Random
House College Dictionary.
If we consider this doctrine in relation to "Does God Exist?", the
agnostic position is "we cannot know if he does or does not
exist". The agnostic holds that the existence of God cannot be
proved or disproved. Saying, '"I do not know if God exists" is not
agnosticism, it is mere uncertainty. The true agnostic says, "It is
impossible to know if God exists" and he could add: "... and of
course, that means that I do not know if God exists" as either a
logical conclusion, or merely as a comment.
So we can see where a Christian can also be an agnostic, if the
Christian says, "God is so far above man, that man cannot know
him, or understand him in any way. Nevertheless, I believe in
God."
Now, an atheist is one who denies that God exists. Atheism is
not the belief that God can be proven not to exist, as some
Christians seem to think. Anyone who sincerely says, " I believe
that there is no God" is an atheist. So if a Christian asks, "Are
you sure?" The atheist can answer "no", and his uncertainty
changes nothing, he is merely an atheist who is not certain. He
IS NOT an agnostic!
It is possible for an atheist to ALSO be an agnostic! - "I do not
believe that God exists, and I also believe that no one can prove
he does or does not exist, because ultimate knowledge of any
kind is impossible for man."
--Izz
***********
Read, think Dave. Repeat if necessary.
cheers,
Darrel
----------------------
"Atheists are often charged with blasphemy, but it is a crime they
cannot commit... When the Atheist examines, denounces, or satirizes
the gods, he is not dealing with persons but with ideas. He is incapable
of insulting God, for he does not admit the existence of any such
being... We attack not a person but a belief, not a being but an idea, not
a fact but a fancy." [G.W. Foote, "Who are the Blasphemers?" in
Flowers of Freethought]