W
water
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- type 1: know existence of God, but hate Him.
- type 2: deny existence of God.
That’s the type of atheist mentioned in Ps. 14:1–“The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’” In the Old Testament times, atheism as we know it didn’t exist, and the psalmist was referring to people who lived their lives as though God did not exist.There is what some call “practical atheists” where they believe God exists but act as if He didn’t. Some people who knowns in their hearts that God exists but denies it to suit their comfort. Like a criminal knowing there is a law but refuses to be under it.
They would also not consider themselves atheists, I would think. For instance, I do not believe that the God of the Christians is the only one there is. I am a polytheist, not an atheist, though you could describe me as an “amonotheist”, I suppose.There is the type that denies the God of the Bible while holding out for the possibility of another god or gods. I would not consider them agnostic, because many of them do not consider themselves as such.
Sorry, I did not clarify that. No, you are not an atheist. I should have been more specific. They do not accept the Abrahamic God, and if provided with reasons for others, they will not accept them either. It is a combative form of Atheism that I first encountered as an undergrad. They claim that other gods may exist, but you cannot convence them that they do. Seems contradictory to meThey would also not consider themselves atheists, I would think. For instance, I do not believe that the God of the Christians is the only one there is. I am a polytheist, not an atheist, though you could describe me as an “amonotheist”, I suppose.
I see, that helps. So, if you know that they do not consider themselves agnostics, do you know how these folks you encountered do define themselves? I am guessing not atheist or there would not be the feeling of contradiction.Sorry, I did not clarify that. No, you are not an atheist. I should have been more specific. They do not accept the Abrahamic God, and if provided with reasons for others, they will not accept them either. It is a combative form of Atheism that I first encountered as an undergrad. They claim that other gods may exist, but you cannot convence them that they do. Seems contradictory to me
You know, it seems like they fluctuated. It has been almost 8 years since I spoke to any of them. They were atheist, but they generally called themselves agnostic if the room wasn’t friendly. I think that they held the position because anti-Biblical God was easier or more expected. They would only deny others when pressed. I know that one of them “converted” to Wicca, but that was a decision based on a love interest, not a matter of faith.I see, that helps. So, if you know that they do not consider themselves agnostics, do you know how these folks you encountered do define themselves? I am guessing not atheist or there would not be the feeling of contradiction.