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July 15th, 2013
02:50 PM ET
Behold, the six types of atheistsBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN) - How many ways are there to disbelieve in God? At least six, according to a new study. Two researchers at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga found that atheists and agnostics run the range from vocally anti-religious activists to nonbelievers who still observe some religious traditions. “The main observation is that nonbelief is an ontologically diverse community,” write doctoral student Christopher Silver and undergraduate student Thomas Coleman. “These categories are a first stab at this," Silver told the website Raw Story. "In 30 years, we may be looking at a typology of 32 types.” Silver and Coleman derived their six types of nonbelievers from 59 interviews. We're pretty sure we've spotted all six in our comments section. 1) Intellectual atheist/agnostic This type of nonbeliever seeks information and intellectual stimulation about atheism. They like debating and arguing, particularly on popular Internet sites. (Ahem.) They're also well-versed in books and articles about religion and atheism, and prone to citing those works frequently. 2) Activist These kinds of atheists and agnostics are not content with just disbelieving in God; they want to tell others why they reject religion and why society would be better off if we all did likewise. They tend to be vocal about political causes like gay rights, feminism, the environment and the care of animals. 3) Seeker-agnostic This group is made up of people who are unsure about the existence of a God but keep an open mind and recognize the limits of human knowledge and experience. Silver and Coleman describe this group as people who regularly question their own beliefs and “do not hold a firm ideological position.” That doesn't mean this group is confused, the researchers say. They just embrace uncertainty. 4) Anti-theist This group regularly speaks out against religion and religious beliefs, usually by positioning themselves as “diametrically opposed to religious ideology,” Silver and Coleman wrote. “Anti-theists view religion as ignorance and see any individual or institution associated with it as backward and socially detrimental,” the researchers wrote. “The Anti-Theist has a clear and – in their view, superior – understanding of the limitations and danger of religions.” Anti-theists are outspoken, devoted and – at times – confrontational about their disbelief. They believe that "obvious fallacies in religion and belief should be aggressively addressed in some form or another.” 5) Non-theist The smallest group among the six are the non-theists, people who do not involve themselves with either religion or anti-religion. In many cases, this comes across as apathy or disinterest. “A Non-Theist simply does not concern him or herself with religion,” Silver and Coleman wrote. “Religion plays no role or issue in one’s consciousness or worldview; nor does a Non- Theist have concern for the atheist or agnostic movement.” They continue: “They simply do not believe, and in the same right, their absence of faith means the absence of anything religion in any form from their mental space.” 6) Ritual atheist They don't believe in God, they don’t associate with religion, and they tend to believe there is no afterlife, but the sixth type of nonbeliever still finds useful the teachings of some religious traditions. “They see these as more or less philosophical teachings of how to live life and achieve happiness than a path to transcendental liberation,” Silver and Coleman wrote. “For example, these individuals may participate in specific rituals, ceremonies, musical opportunities, meditation, yoga classes, or holiday traditions.” For many of these nonbelievers, their adherence to ritual may stem from family traditions. For others, its a personal connection to, or respect for, the "profound symbolism" inherent within religious rituals, beliefs and ceremonies, according the researchers. - The authors of this study have graciously agreed to field questions from our commenters. If you're interested, please post your question below or tweet it to us at @CNNBelief. We'll take the best questions to the authors and the Q&A will be posted in a follow-up article. Please try to keep your questions related to the study itself. Thanks, soundoff (9,518 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 Next »
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The part that stuck out to me was the "all loving" part. They claim that "god" is all loving, yet I recall from the time I spent as a christian that in the bible god is depicted as everything but an "all loving" god. In fact he's depicted as a very sick and sadistic being. A very cruel being. I will give examples straight from the "good book" so you can all feel free to look it up yourselves!
Genesis 7:21-7:23. God murders (not very loving, I must say) every living being on earth besides Noah.
Exodus 12:29 God KILLS every baby in Egypt. He doesn't even spare the baby animals...
Numbers 16:41-49 God plagues a village of 14,700 people
1 Samuel 6:19 God kills 50,700 people. I quote "the people mourned because of the heavy blow that the lord dealt them"
2 Kings 2:23-24 The lord sends 2 female bears that mauled 42 children....Because they called elijah "bald head".
This one is particularly gruesome, even for the bible. Psalm 137:8-9 (directed at the children of Babylon) "blessed will be the one who takes your infants and bashes them against the rocks"
Jeremiah 25:33 "and on that day those the Lord has slaughtered will fill the Earth from one end to the other. No one will mourn for them or gather up their bodies to bury them. They will be scattered like dung on the ground.".
Had enough? Hope so because I'm tired of typing lol.
Try Odin, you might like him. He's just Gandalf with an army of crows.
These passages aren't exactly a secret. Do you really think that it's not tenable to be aware of them, and yet be a Christian who believes that God is omnibenelovent? If so, why don't you refute the specific arguments that Christians make to justify it?
I know very little about religion but let me try and answer that question. Wiping out humanity is simply the kindest and most merciful and loving thing anyone could do for our poor defenseless planet. It would have worked wonders on cutting down crime, poverty and overpopulation.
How's that for an answer?
We are probably the only species on earth that actually thinks about its population and adjusts its population growth rate downward in spite of improving food conditions. The human population is now concave downward with time, and most developed nations have declining populations in spite of better food and medical care than ever. Also, movement into the cities in developing nations is yielding smaller growth rates there over time as the people become more educated.
YouTube cosmic conflict by dough bachelor also
Evolution- facts.org
How many people has mother nature killed all in all? I bet the total is even worse.
“Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.” – Orthodoxy, 1908
Yeah, not so much...Progress..Progress. Maybe I'm getting that mixed up with another word....But I seem to recall learning about a small thing called "Scientific Revolution", you know, with Galileo and all those physicist and scientist that were put to death by the catholics. For quite a while actually, without exaggeration we can safely say that they stunted our "progression" or "evolution".
I would classify prosecuting scientists who came up with things that have been proven and are still true today such as Tycho Brahe, Nicholas Coppernicus, Johannes Kepler, ect as insane...Do any of those names ring a bell with you? Did you go to school???
Do they not teach about the atrocities committed by the Catholic church? The inquisitions? What about the "pear of anguish", the "breast ripper", did they not teach you about the widespread torture? The maiming? How can you sit here and tell me your religion is a religion of the sane, how can you honestly sit here and tell me that your religion is a religion of progression???? Dude, please. PLEASE, tell me they taught you to atrocities of Catholicism in school. Do you just turn a blind eye? Follow your religion blindly telling yourself that your religion is just and holy, when it's FACT that the majority of the most torture and gut wrenching torture devices were created and used by YOUR religion?? You just try to forget, you block out the fact that if it weren't for your religion we would be a hundred years more advanced medicinally, scientifically, and philosophically?
Tycho Brahe, Nicholas Coppernicus, and Johannes Kepler were all Christians, bro :). In fact, the majority of the most famous scientists were religious, particularly Christian. Louis Pasteur was a devout Catholic, Michael Faraday was Christian, Guglielmo Marconi, Max Planck, Newton....the list goes on.
And also btw, neither Copernicus nor Galileo were killed...and the first person to propose the earth orbited the sun, Nicholas of Cusa, was later made a Cardinal of the Church.
Please read history 🙂 Thanks
Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464 AD)was not even close to being the first person to suggest that the Earth went around the Sun.
Aristarchus of Samos in the 3rd century BC beat him by almost 2 millennia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_thinkers_in_science
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Catholic_scientists
Wow....that list is pretty long. Amazing what a little research will turn up. You should question the things you read more. Something as easy to access as Google can help.
And as for philosophy, please read a life of Rene Descartes (also known as the Father of Modern philosophy)....a Catholic.
I'm not sure what your point is. Are you saying that because the Catholic Church has, in the past, acted against progress, that it cannot ever promote progress?
What happened to weak and strong atheists? Many of us are None Of The Aboves. We may not be ready to completely jettison the possibility of god, but we see no reason to think he/she/it/they is/are the god(s) of any of the religions invented so far. The religious simply assume that when one rejects their god (religion) that one is rejecting the possibility of god (atheism). Like when I discuss religion with my friend John and he gets flustered by the questions I ask and the points I make and finally blurts out something like, "But there's got to be a god" and I say "Well maybe there is. But maybe he's just not your god".
It is the core difference between atheist and anti-theist. I happen to be both. It is my opinion that there is no evidence for the existence of a divine force. further more, the god of the different bibles claim that there god is all knowing and all powerful, and all loving. Now a being that had these qualities would not allow the suffering that happens on this planet. So that even if said being is real, it does not deserve our reverence and worship.
The part that stuck out to me was the "all loving" part. They claim that "god" is all loving, yet I recall from the time I spent as a christian that in the bible god is depicted as everything but an "all loving" god. In fact he's depicted as a very sick and sadistic being. A very cruel being. I will give examples straight from the "good book" so you can all feel free to look it up yourselves!
Genesis 7:21-7:23. God murders (not very loving, I must say) every living being on earth besides Noah.
Exodus 12:29 God KILLS every baby in Egypt. He doesn't even spare the baby animals...
Numbers 16:41-49 God plagues a village of 14,700 people
1 Samuel 6:19 God kills 50,700 people. I quote "the people mourned because of the heavy blow that the lord dealt them"
2 Kings 2:23-24 The lord sends 2 female bears that mauled 42 children....Because they called elijah "bald head".
This one is particularly gruesome, even for the bible. Psalm 137:8-9 (directed at the children of Babylon) "blessed will be the one who takes your infants and bashes them against the rocks"
Jeremiah 25:33 "and on that day those the Lord has slaughtered will fill the Earth from one end to the other. No one will mourn for them or gather up their bodies to bury them. They will be scattered like dung on the ground.".
Had enough? Hope so because I'm tired of typing lol.
http://www.amazingdiscoveris.org. YouTube unmasking Hollywood 2. Good luck with that
Catholic Orthodoxy is Sanity. Blessed are the obedient and paradoxical lovers of God and Man. http://www.chesterton.org “Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.” – Orthodoxy, 1908
Yeah, not so much...Progress..Progress. Maybe I'm getting that mixed up with another word....But I seem to recall learning about a small thing called "Scientific Revolution", you know, with Galileo and all those physicist and scientist that were put to death by the catholics. For quite a while actually, without exaggeration we can safely say that they stunted our "progression" or "evolution".
I would classify prosecuting scientists who came up with things that have been proven and are still true today such as Tycho Brahe, Nicholas Coppernicus, Johannes Kepler, ect as insane...Do any of those names ring a bell with you? Did you go to school???
Do they not teach about the atrocities committed by the Catholic church? The inquisitions? What about the "pear of anguish", the "breast ripper", did they not teach you about the widespread torture? The maiming? How can you sit here and tell me your religion is a religion of the sane, how can you honestly sit here and tell me that your religion is a religion of progression???? Dude, please. PLEASE, tell me they taught you to atrocities of Catholicism in school. Do you just turn a blind eye? Follow your religion blindly telling yourself that your religion is just and holy, when it's FACT that the majority of the most torture and gut wrenching torture devices were created and used by YOUR religion?? You just try to forget, you block out the fact that if it weren't for your religion we would be a hundred years more advanced medicinally, scientifically, and philosophically?
Half of them says, "Thanks God, i am atheist"
A proud and happy Anti-Theist, I!
Religion comforts...and cripples! History is quite clear on this.
The mutilation of children's genitalia, the limiting of women's rights, the limiting of non-believer's rights, etc.
Religion stinks. Please wake up and get free of it. 😉
"Seeker-agnostic" choice of this classification can be inserted into some kind of "believers list" too at the same time, I think. Best choice 😉
Two questions:
1)Where is an observable evidence that shows a BingBang some how spat out planets and formed into a galaxy? Im not asking for a case of theory which is a non fact because it has not been proved yet.
2)why are we(human beings)the only spieces that express our culture? Im talking about non-animal behaviour because animals don't pray!
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_bang_theory#Observational_evidence
2) Humans are the only sentient beings on the planet.
maybe our way back ancestors ate some of the funny mushrooms on the savannah, and, bang! we be thinking
why would animals pray?
Science and spirituality are racing toward each other and are going to collide eventually.
I completely agree! Spirituality being the key word, NOT religion.
I doubt that the casually irreligious are the smallest group. I suspect that they are the largest, just hardest to spot because they simply don't take any of it seriously and therefore don't "announce" themselves.
I know a great many of them and they simply don't read belief blog, or would take the time to participate in a survey of that kind.
The author also left out the single largest group of atheists in America; people, who attend church, insist they believe in public but actually do not believe.
Just curious if this type of article would fly if it was about the six types of religious... I'm offended as an atheist that you think it's really that simple.... This reads more like personality types than what a true atheist actually is.
Look up the ministry of Heidi Baker. This is a woman who runs an orphanage in Africa. She goes to the remote villages and visits with people, at the end of the day she requests to meet a person from that village who is deaf and/or blind, makes sure that everyone has always known them to be this way (in a small village it's not that difficult.) She and the kids from her orphanage then pray over that person and he or she gets healed instantly. It has been captured on video, and proven by the doctors. Try telling her that God does not exist. He has healed hundreds in front of her eyes.
If you want the proof of God don't sit at home and browse the internet for answers, go to the nearest healing revival and see for yourself. God is not going to stop performing miracles just because an unbeliever will be there. We, the Christians, tell you the truth because we care about you. The consequences of your unbelief are extremely harsh, but if you believe you can reap the benefits starting today. If only for the simple fact that someone loves you no matter what you've ever done or said. No human can do that.
They should contact The James Randi Education Foundations, because if they can prove this is genuine, they'll win one million dollars. Good luck with that.
Ever notice that whenever someone wants to present evidence of a miracle, it's always an "unexplained" physical healing of some sort? This begs a few questions. First, why are there even doctors if this type of healing is so available? If I had the ability to channel god's healing power, so to speak, I'd be visiting every hospital I could. Second, why doesn't god branch out a little bit and perform miracles in other areas? And also, why are people who believe in some great afterlife always so intent on clinging to this one by getting healed, whether by god or by doctors?
They're called actors..."Here, I know you're starving. You can have $5 but you have to follow my directions, ok? Go in the tent, I'll come in, you act sick, I perform a 'miracle', then I pay you.". I can't even believe that you said that lol.
Sad to report this, but most of these accounts turn out to be fake/fraudulent. Many of these so-called 'healings' are staged and so many have been caught through proper independent investigations. I am not saying "miracles' don't happen, but most reported are just hearsay and acting. If this in person in Africa has a gift, there are plenty of cancer patients in the United States, including children and other countries that could use a miracle. The Bible speak of discernment–I can say I apply that to faith healers and religious leaders with all the answers.
Sad to report this, but most of these accounts turn out to be fake/fraudulent. Many of these so-called 'healings' are staged and so many have been caught through proper independent investigations. I am not saying "miracles' don't happen, but most reported are just hearsay and acting. If this in person in Africa has a gift, there are plenty of cancer patients in the United States, including children and other countries that could use a miracle. The Bible speaks of discernment–I can say I apply this to faith healers and religious leaders with all the answers.
I wonder if there is a seventh type, and I might even suspect that a few ex-religious fall into it: the person who would like to believe, but because of theodicy (the problem of evil, why a good God would allow evil in the world) either personal (like, watching someone you love die of cancer) or philosophical (why was the Holocaust allowed to happen) finds that he or she simply cannot.
If God is evil, then why doesn't he use his omnipotence to prevent good things from happening?
Why doesn't he proactively stop you from drinking your favorite beverage, eating good food, or taking a breath of fresh air?
Why doesn't he stop millions (or billions) of good things from happening?
There is no god. It cannot stop or promote anything.
Ironically, whenever something tragic happens, all you hear on the street is the name of God, "Oh my God, Oh my God" Just observe the next atheist near you.
People say "Oh My God" out of habit, kinda like saying On Sh_t! but it just sounds better.
I actually say "Oh, your God!" when I'm surprised or shocked about something... Strange habit I developed after hearing it/ seeing it somewhere.
because their emotions are taking over their reason, emma
think of it like being under duress
most of us atheists have had religious indoctrination
it is not unusual that people, in times of stress, to revert to the comforting story
doesn't mean it is a rationally developed thought at the moment
Humans demanded freedom of choice and it was granted. Now you have a choice.
Intelligent design
Accidental Magic
@Theodora, wrote: "If God is evil, then why doesn't he use his omnipotence to prevent good things from happening?"
If the story of Noah is true, then millions of people were killed by God, preventing all of the good things that would have happened later in their lives. Many similar examples could be given. All of the many people killed in the Old Testament noted in the examples given by others on this message board never got the chance to live their lives out as they could have, along with the many good things that could have happened to them had they lived.
@Theodora, wrote: "Why doesn't he proactively stop you from drinking your favorite beverage,"
Many religious groups believe that God prohibits the consumption of alcohol, making it a sin. Plenty of folks like to drink wine, beer and spirits responsibly. Sorry, folks. Some groups, such as the Mormons, also claim that God prohibits caffeine, so soda, coffee and tea are out. In places where religion has the force of law, such prohibitions can land you in deep trouble if you violate them.
@Theodora, wrote: "Why doesn't he proactively stop you from...eating good food,"
Many religious groups believe that God prohibits the consumption of pork, shellfish, and meat not killed in the proper way or with the proper rituals. So those spare ribs, and that delicious bacon are out. Lobster and clams. Gone. So is that non-kosher, non-halal beef that was not killed with the proper rituals. etc. As with the issue of beverages above, in places where religion has the force of law, such prohibitions can land you in deep trouble if you violate them.
Being an atheist, to me, means that I have no belief in god or a higher being. That's all. There really aren't set subcategories, being an atheist is just that. Arrogance plays no part in it, quite the opposite. In fact, it seems the arrogant belief is the one that claims that we are mirror images of a creator who takes a special interest in us personally should we choose to let him. I am vocal about my non belief because I see the harm that religion can do, and I wish the world to be a more peaceful place. I have morals, and I value doing the right thing just for the sake of it. I do not see any evidence of god, and I respect the work of scientists who question the universe in order to keep understanding more about it. Depending on the day, I might fall into a few of your categories here, which is why they aren't necessary.
I could not agree more. This dissection of types is idle speculation on the part of the article writer and bears no resemblance to reality; nor is it a guide for atheists to 'find their group.' We actually don't NEED a group, by definition, since we don't belong to cults or religions. Honestly, get a grip.
Come on man really "No evidence" thats a really stupid stupid statement.. the evidence is not only your body that just happens to work perfectly but everything around you.
if our body worked perfectly with our surroundings, why do we need warm clothes in the winter?
How about, "Hi Mom, I'm an idiot" Reason I say this, is that it is simple arrogance and elitist to believe that you are so much smarter than 99% of the rest of the world. I am not supporting any one faith here. With my statements, I am supporting God.
i don't think i would like your god since he/she seems to promote name calling
More typically, it's "Hi Mom, I'm blindly following the same religion as you because you told me it was true when I was a kid and I've never even considered looking into a different religion or no religion–sure am glad you just happened to raise me in the right one to begin with."
i cannot believe in what i find unbelievable because others believe it
that being said, you are small minded little dweeb
God loves you!
Behold, here is the "1" type of Real Remedy
for "6," or "66," or "666" types of Atheism!
http://www.holy-19-harvest.com
UNIVERSAL MAGNIFICENT MIRACLES
Son I don't care if you are an atheist. I'm just glad you finally moved out to college.
RayDingo, thanks for your comment! Peaceful and non-confrontational people exist on both sides of the belief "divide." I am a Baha'i, and one of our core principles is that each person has his own spiritual path to follow; each person should investigate, search, and think about his beliefs; and everyone should respect the right of other people not to think the same way as they do. We have no desire to impose our beliefs on anyone; in fact, it would be very wrong. I can worship with people of any faith; and I can enjoy the fellowship of people who don't believe in "God" per se, but who lead positive moral lives reflecting the Golden Rule, which can be found in all the world's major religions.
The above person is obviously a fanatical christian doing a very bad job of posing as an atheist. As a true atheist I will tell you, we are peaceful and understand that a great blind majority believe in God and religion. So we just try to avoid touching that subject.
Raydingo you say you are not confrontational yet you said us christians and others blindly believe! And you called someone you did not like a fanatical christian! Please just dont say anything confrontational if you dont want to be. Thanks.
Funny you should say the great "blind" majority. I once was blind like you, but now I see. I spent the 1st 27 years of my life believing as you do. I was blind to the truth. Now I know I was wrong. There is a God and here created each and every one of us wonderfully and beautifully. He is not willing that any should perish, but that I would know Him and His son Jesus Christ.
Amen Jackson
I'm an Atheist because I'm so smart. People who believe in things are dumb and stupid and deserve to go and die! HA HA! I'm the best one because I don't believe in religions or stuff. So smart, so intelligent, so right about everything simply because I don't believe in religion. People that do believe in religion are stupid and don't deserve to live here. They should go kill themselves so they can be with their god! HA! I'm so smart! Atheist life! People that have a different viewpoint than mine are stupid and dumb and deserve to die! That's right! Where are my fellow atheists at? Let's get rid of them all! Let's not disagree with them civilly, let's just call them all delusional and stupid! YES! I love having an arbitrary point of view to try and bolster my insecurities about my own intelligence and spirituality! It's not enough to live and let live – I MUST interject and insult and deride and berate those that have a different point of view on things! Bill Maher taught me! YES I'M THE SMART ONE! THE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ARE THE STUPIDS!
You clearly show ignorance, not just to creationists, but also to other atheists. Both creationists and atheists know that all men are smart, no matter what you believe in. Human intelligence does not depend on whether you believe there is a God or no god. It matters when you have faith. Even atheists have faith in their viewpoint as much as creationists have faith in God. So please, if you wish to make a statement, think about what you type in first, or you're just like those "dumb and stupid" people that you mentioned.
Hey Gordy, I'm pretty sure this is a believer doing their very best stereotypical impression of what they think atheists must think about believers. It's sarcasm at it's most ignorant.