Are you really an agnostic? (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, January 24, 2008, 15:39 (5935 days ago) @ Martin Freedman

Hard-hitting, and not always above the belt. - 1 & 2. I have not said that atheism is a factor in those atrocities, any more than I would argue that Bush went into Iraq because he is a Christian or that Saddam slaughtered his opponents because he was a Muslim. I am drawing a picture of a world in disorder, and that disorder exists regardless of the system in place. - 3. OK, fair comment. Perhaps I should have written "...launches a fierce attack on religion." I like a bit of colour. - 4, 6 and 7. One has to start somewhere. My starting point is the reason why I am not an atheist (because the whole project was sparked by Dawkins' book). Once I have explained why I cannot accept Dawkins' arguments, I am forced to consider the alternatives. "You can only accept this on faith...", "you cannot know that god exists"....Accept what? I accept nothing. These are what I call "areas of speculation", not declarations of belief. Of course I don't know that God exists. Nor do I know that he doesn't exist. I know nothing. In the relevant sections I scrupulously avoid using the word "God" anyway, because I want my speculations to be free from all that is associated with the term. But if I am to maintain what you call a "balanced and unbiased approach", I have to consider all the options, which includes the designer theory and religion. For further explanation, please look at the very important point raised by Kylie under "the real alternative to design". I have tried to make my position clearer in my reply to that. - 5 & 6. This is where you can help me and others like me. "You are only replying to Dawkins' spin on this and many atheists would dissent from this." "Dawkins is just about the only person I know who is an atheist because of his understanding of evolution." Please tell us more. Dawkins' book is so closely argued and so comprehensive that I assumed he had covered all aspects of the case against God. It would be really helpful if you could give us your own "spin" and your own understanding of evolution. That would be the best possible contribution to this website. - 8 & concluding remark: twice you use the word "fundamentalist". Let me reiterate: I do not have any belief. I can only explain why I am not an atheist (first third of the "guide"), speculate on the alternatives and their implications, and tell you again that I do not have any belief. I'm glad, though, that you wish you were wrong. Your wish is granted.