The Dawkins' Theist/Atheist scale. Where do you belong?
By thefreemind
@thefreemind (45)
July 28, 2008 5:34am CST
The scale:
1: Strong theist. 100% certainty and belief in God. "I do not believe, I know."
2: De-facto theist. I cannot be certain of God's existence, but I strongly believe and live my life on the assumption that it is there.
3: Agnostic theist. I am uncertain, but inclined to believe in God.
4: Agnostic. God's existence and non-existence are equally probably and improbable.
5: Agnostic atheist. I am uncertain, but inclined to not believe in God.
6: De-facto atheist. I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very improbable and I live my life on the assumption that there is no God.
7: Strong atheist. I know there is no God.
So, where do you fit?
2 people like this
9 responses
@Wolfechu (1193)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Strong atheist, definitely. In fact, I'm actually slightly off the end of the scale, given that not only am I certain there's no God, I actually consider religion to be harmful and detrimental to human society.
Put me wherever Dawkins fits on there. I'm no less militantly atheist than he is, I'm just not as well known ;)
1 person likes this
@thefreemind (45)
•
28 Jul 08
Dawkins is actually a 6! (As am I)
He believes that religion is detrimental to society also, but he also acknowledges that it is scientifically impossible to disprove God. He does consider God to be 'highly improbable', though.
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@Wolfechu (1193)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Oh, definitely. There's no way to disprove God. For one thing, science isn't about 'proving' anything, really; it's about postulating something until it's proven wrong. And 'being wrong' is generally a good thing when it happens, as it usually increases understanding of the thing.
For another thing, it's impossible to disprove something that isn't there ;)
I'd still say 7 for me, if only because I'm personally convinced there's no God, certainly no theist God like in the Christian religion. A universe that ran on rules that arbitrary would be too disappointing to even contemplate.
Statistically, I'll admit there's a possibility I'm wrong, though. Just as statistically, it's possible that the apartment building I'm in is about to hit by a meteorite made entirely of treacle pudding. I'm not going to get up and look for a spoon just in case, though.
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@Scarrlet (168)
• Ukraine
29 Jul 08
I say i have both for 6 and 7. I cannot be certain in what i believe in because neither had proofs for god's existence, nor the proofs on how our universe appeared. And i am also sure that there's no god in the meaning that is developed by majority of religions. It is just so obvious to me that people have created higher forces while observing the surrounding. I cannot be an atheist, and along with that leave some probability to the fact that god still exists. So, i'm choosing not to follow particular opinions, but to rely on my own feelings and responsibilities, and keep looking for the hints about our past.
@thefreemind (45)
•
29 Jul 08
And a very wise stance to take my friend! :)
If only everyone could consider the facts and then think for themselves!
1 person likes this
@headhunter525 (3548)
• India
26 Aug 08
2. I cannot prove God's existence. But I try to make sense of the world and life and reality through the perspective of God's existence or rather through theistic lens. I believe that this gives me better perspective of reality. Some may differ with me here. I am rather like those C S Lewis here. And also Alister McGrath who has written Dawkins' Delusion, a critique of God Delusion by Dawkins. I've read both of them and they are quite interesting. If you read Dawkins then don't miss McGrath also :-)
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@darwinall (44)
• United States
3 Aug 08
I'm a 7 and a 6. I know 6 is the only logically defensible choice, but I'm an illogical human. I want a clearcut answer on this most important question. Also, I find very religious people annoying, so I want to be very atheist. Interestingly, I find very religious people annoying because they fail to be rigorous and logical in their thinking, which I'm also doing in choosing to be very atheist. Ah, to be human!
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@mobilecubie (820)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
I'm a strong theist. I know God is there, I'm just not to sure about the people he left in charge.
@thefreemind (45)
•
29 Jul 08
Well that's a bit of a paradox as God seems to have left fundamental Christians in charge of the Whitehouse. You'd think that'd be first on the wishlist? :)
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
8 Mar 10
I know that this discussion is two years old and I do not believe that the author is active but I want to answer this question. Currently I would say that I am an agnostic theist that cannot stand God. I find that there is a possibility for a God, if this deity does exist it sucks. I would love to just wave away the concept of God out of my head but I do have problems with a world with out a God like what began the Big Bang.
@jimbomuso (950)
•
28 Jul 08
Hi freemind!
I fluctuate between 4-6. althought I've quite a spiritual leaning (I dont mean crystals and the like).
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