Comment by Jacob LeMaster on June 10, 2011 at 12:05am

Welcome to the site!

 

I get what your going through... My dad went born again Christian on me and its exceptionally frustrating that being an atheist was only right when he was an atheist...

Comment by Walter Maki on June 10, 2011 at 12:41am

Welcome to the thinkers corner of the internet Loren.

Comment by Ron V on June 10, 2011 at 12:45am

You could tell him you're a "weak agnostic"

 

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

Weak agnosticism (also called "soft," "open," "empirical," or "temporal agnosticism")

The view that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable; therefore, one will withhold judgment until/if any evidence is available. A weak agnostic would say, "I don't know whether any deities exist or not, but maybe one day, when there is evidence, we can find something out."

Types of agnosticism

Agnosticism can be subdivided into several categories. Recently suggested variations include:

Agnostic atheism

Agnostic atheists are atheistic because they do not have belief in the existence of any deity, and agnostic because they do not claim to know that a deity does not exist.^[17]

Agnostic theism

The view of those who do not claim to know of the existence of any deity, but still believe in such an existence.^[17]

Apathetic or Pragmatic agnosticism

The view that there is no proof of either the existence or nonexistence of any deity, but since any deity that may exist appears unconcerned for the universe or the welfare of its inhabitants, the question is largely academic.^{[citation needed][18]}

Ignosticism

The view that a coherent definition of a deity must be put forward before the question of the existence of a deity can be meaningfully discussed. If the chosen definition is not coherent, the ignostic holds the noncognitivist view that the existence of a deity is meaningless or empirically untestable.^[19] A.J. Ayer, Theodore Drange, and other philosophers see both atheism and agnosticism as incompatible with ignosticism on the grounds that atheism and agnosticism accept "a deity exists" as a meaningful proposition which can be argued for or against. An ignostic cannot even say whether he/she is a theist or a nontheist until a sufficient definition of theism is put forth.^{[20][not in citation given]}

Strong agnosticism (also called "hard," "closed," "strict," or "permanent agnosticism")

The view that the question of the existence or nonexistence of a deity or deities, and the nature of ultimate reality is unknowable by reason of our natural inability to verify any experience with anything but another subjective experience. A strong agnostic would say, "I cannot know whether a deity exists or not, and neither can you."

Weak agnosticism (also called "soft," "open," "empirical," or "temporal agnosticism")

The view that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable; therefore, one will withhold judgment until/if any evidence is available. A weak agnostic would say, "I don't know whether any deities exist or not, but maybe one day, when there is evidence, we can find something out."

Comment by Akshay Bist on June 10, 2011 at 1:10am

Well you can say you have given up on trying to find any evidence of the existence of a god, as you have better things to do, like living you life.

Comment by Chris on June 10, 2011 at 2:42am

Tell him you never give up. But you need something more than what is presently available to believe. I think most atheists are in that category, whatever you want to call it.

Comment by IEatDinosaurMeat on June 10, 2011 at 3:05am

I hate that you've given up on FSM.

Comment by Blondin on June 10, 2011 at 7:48am

I would say that people who reject science, doubt and questioning are the ones who have "given up". Isaac Newton gave up when he used a god-of-the-gaps argument to explain diversity and complexity in the universe. If it weren't for individuals who "gave up" on dogma and baseless assertions we would still be living in squalor and disease on a flat Earth at the center of the universe with the Sun and stars revolving around us.

 

Faith is for people who are not concerned with what is true.

Comment by Jacob LeMaster on June 10, 2011 at 9:22am

@ E. A. Holland

What do you do if you have a midlife crisis and everything is falling apart and you already have a sports car that is paid for?

Apparently in my fathers case you pick up religion.

Comment by Jeremy Wells on June 10, 2011 at 9:34am

I see atheism as an outgrowth of religion. Chemistry isn't considered giving up on alchemy. Astronomy isn't considered giving up on astrology. Medicine isn't considered giving up on homeopathy. Hard work isn't considered giving up on prayer. These are all by-products of growing out of ineffective methods. As our knowledge about the world around us increases our need for mystical explanations decreases. The are two logical conclusions about god it is either inconsistent or nonexistent. Both conclusions lead one to a life that isn't dependent on god. Most people refuse to accept this because they have been indoctrinated to have blind faith. Why is religion the only area that people don't expect tangible results?

Comment by Peter on June 10, 2011 at 1:50pm

Giving up? really? That line could honestly be used in any way.
pro-atheist: "I hate how you've given up on learning the facts about our universe, researching the contradictions and faults of christianity, and through a worthy search for the meaning of life and what really matters, come to the conclusion that religion serves none of that."
I find a curiosity for the universe and the tangible things around us something more commendable than curiosity for jesus.

In any case, welcome to the site!

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