Atheist or Theist. If you are one do you look down on the other?

[EmptyForceOfChi]

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?

As a theist do you look down on atheists as if you are better and more important than they are?, do you see yourself as superior and more intelligent than non believers?.


Do either catagories act smug towards the other? do you have respect for them and the beliefs they hold as individuals?.



peace.

[Randwolf]

Personally, I couldn't care less what others believe. Or don't believe. But that's just me....

Edit: Do not mistake "care" for "interest". I am interested in other's beliefs, I just don't feel that I am in a position to judge. Except for pure stupidity of course, which runs rampant enough to keep me plenty busy....

[CutsieMarie89]

As long people are forcing you to believe what they do regardless if you agree with them or not, then no I don't think I'm superior. They could be right for all I know, so it would be stupid for me to come out and say that they're wrong. Because I don't know either. But everyone has to live their own lives, so you can do whatever you see is fit for your own salvation or happiness. Of course as long as it doesn't infringe upon other people happiness or path to salvation or whatever it is they are pursuing.

[KennyJC]

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?

Quite clearly I'm superior to them from a rational viewpoint. Other than that I can appreciate their other attributes, but when it comes to the supernatural, I roll my eyes like this... :rolleyes:

[Norsefire]

They are equally foolish and I look down on both of them.

[Randwolf]

Quite clearly I'm superior to them from a rational viewpoint. Other than that I can appreciate their other attributes, but when it comes to the supernatural, I roll my eyes like this... :rolleyes:

Actually, in some way, the theists are superior to us. They have the succor of their "God" and "afterlife". We have only rationality. I wouldn't trade for all the world... :cool:

[PsychoticEpisode]

I believe it possible to be a theist without religion. Any such person is on par with an atheist for they have made the only decision available to them without any real proof of a god(s). However, religious theists appear to have taken a step backwards by embellishing the god concept.

Does this make them inferior or less intelligent? No.

[Randwolf]

... they have made the only decision available to them without any real proof of a god(s). ...

No. The only real decision available in these circumstances is no decision. According to the wizards on this site, that is technically referred to as "ignosticism". Whatever. Works for me....

[Repo Man]

Probably all of the theists I look down on are people I would still look down on if I also were a theist (Ted Haggard comes to mind). For the most part, they just make me sad. As do believers in homeopathy, astrology, leprechauns, or any other form of popular nonsense. There was a time when you could have believed that education would eventually diminish the popularity of the belief in fantastic nonsense. But the evidence to debunk the belief in superstition has never been more readily accessible. But I certainly haven't noticed any reduction in the amount of nonsense most people I meet believe in.

[PsychoticEpisode]

No. The only real decision available in these circumstances is no decision. According to the wizards on this site, that is technically referred to as "ignosticism". Whatever. Works for me....

Then are you looking down at both sides? Deciding about god may be meaningless but deciding not to decide about god isn't what I consider to be on any kind of upper level of thought. I see no difference.

[shorty_37]

I really don't care what others believe, as long as they are not trying to cram their beliefs down my throat. Like for instance I don't think they should be knocking at your door on a Saturday morning like some kind of door to door salesman for God.

[Randwolf]

Then are you looking down at both sides? .

No. I look down on neither side. Not quite sure where the miscommunication was there.

Practically speaking, it's like Shorty said - I couldn't care less what others believe, as long as they don't try to "convert" me.

[Betrayer0fHope]

Anyone who I can actually have a conversation with about god I do not look down on, but people who use idiotic arguments that have been brainwashed, I mean, its kinda hard NOT to look down on them.:shrug:

[Randwolf]

Anyone who I can actually have a conversation with about god I do not look down on, but people who use idiotic arguments that have been brainwashed, I mean, its kinda hard NOT to look down on them.:shrug:


What? And I mean, what, as in WTF were you trying to express there? :shrug:

[Betrayer0fHope]

After rereading the post, I still don't get whats so confusing, but heres a more broken down version? I am an atheist. I look down on (most) theists. I don't think I am a bad person for it. I don't see how a person can think I am a bad person for believing this even though usually assuming you are a superior person than someone makes you a bad person. The theists I do not look down upon are those who can defend their beliefs, and have fully explored all other possibilities. I look down especially upon theists who use recycled and idiotic arguments who cannot accept any other possibility other than they are true. Sorry if this still doesn't make any sense(seriously).

[KennyJC]

This thread reminds me of when we went out to dinner with some members of my wifes family.

They recommended a book and recited a story from it. It was a story about a dog that was contained in the garden by one of those 'invisible fences'. The dog could feel the precence of the fence but it could not see it. "The moral of the story..." she said, was that even though you can't see god, he is still there.

How can you NOT look down on that?

I had orders to behave myself, so I had to supress the desire to point out that the invisible fence would be detectable by using many scientific methods to verify it's existence, but the same thing could not be done of god or the tooth fairy.

I was actually ashamed of myself that I let various stupid statements like that go uncontested.

[Randwolf]

After rereading the post, I still don't get whats so confusing, but heres a more broken down version? I am an atheist. I look down on (most) theists. I don't think I am a bad person for it. I don't see how a person can think I am a bad person for believing this even though usually assuming you are a superior person than someone makes you a bad person. The theists I do not look down upon are those who can defend their beliefs, and have fully explored all other possibilities. I look down especially upon theists who use recycled and idiotic arguments who cannot accept any other possibility other than they are true. Sorry if this still doesn't make any sense(seriously).

OK, I get you now. My point is, why look down on anyone? From where I sit, they are all "marks", you just push different buttons. Of course, this is a remarkably selfish point of view, but so f**king what? I don't really understand why people get so worked up over this whole "God" debate.

Seriously, believe whatever you want. I'm cool with that. I won't treat you any differently either way. I'm going to have you for lunch anyhow.... :rolleyes:

[audible]

I don't look down on any religious person, I just feel sorry for them, they are not guilty of any kind of stupidity in there beliefs, they are victims of brainwashing, the sad thing is their parents are victims too, and their grandparents etc...

The culprit who started this mind virus which they are all indoctrinated with is long dead. Some people are lucky, they are able to deprogram themselves, it must be in the genes, or something.

The religious use clear and critical thought in every other aspect of their lives, bar religion. This is how powerful, this brainwashing is, this mind virus is not something that can be easily eradicated.

So don't look on them as foolish, stupid, imbecilic, or infantile, they have no control over what they say or do, they are victims.

[Randwolf]

I... they have no control over what they say or do, they are victims. ...

Wonderful. So "they" (in this case Christians, because that is the only religion I can claim to have a passing familiarity with) are "victims"? Because they choose, of their own free will, or what passes for "free will" in today's enlightened society, to believe in God? Are you high? Or maybe I am up too late. I really don't know where to start with this post. I mean, there is so much wrong here....

[Enmos]

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?
Not at all, I just think I have a more accurate view of reality then they have.


Do either catagories act smug towards the other?
Both.


do you have respect for them and the beliefs they hold as individuals?
I have respect for them as human beings, but not much for their beliefs.. why should I ?

[Cannon]

I have to say that I have no God because I know not his name, and as my beliefs I believe in what I know. So as said I have to be an athiest but I have faith in that I will live again. As such I am not an athiest, but something larger with a more complex view on the entire origin of life. I do not look down on athiests for the Chruch has done it to itself for losing books, there may have been more than 800 books to the bible. There are now barely 90. They burned them and as such they shall be burned. You athiests are a result of unknowing and as such i do not have the fruit of knowledge. God to gods they are all the same.

Theists no know of what they speak most of the time, I am not a theists but a man of great science. I am a man of pure logic. I trifle not with emotion or human nature but logic itself.

[Sciencelovah]

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?

As a theist do you look down on atheists as if you are better and more important than they are?, do you see yourself as superior and more intelligent than non believers?.


Do either catagories act smug towards the other? do you have respect for them and the beliefs they hold as individuals?.



peace.

I assume that everyone feels that they are the most right, otherwise, why
would they stay wrong if they know it.

As a theist, I do not look down to atheist. I do however have no respect for
anyone who bash my religion in a disrespectful manner, or spread dishonesty
about it for their own agenda. I could be wrong about my belief but I do not
want to be manipulated in any way.

[Cannon]

I see. It is called ignorance, for if you ignore what someone has to say that is ignorance. The non-blissfully unaware people that could be wrong quite simply put are ignorant. Like a redneck, but even that is ignorant to say cause even they believe in god.

[Sciencelovah]

I see. It is called ignorance, for if you ignore what someone has to say that is ignorance. The non-blissfully unaware people that could be wrong quite simply put are ignorant. Like a redneck, but even that is ignorant to say cause even they believe in god.

My point is that, if anyone wants to argue about my religion, it better be
delivered in a civilized manner and without lies. You can be disagree with
Superstring about homosexuality, but you won't lose respect on him, for
example. I won't believe any argument delivered by OilIsMastery, he has
proven to be dishonest.

[Cannon]

Agreed

[Cellar_Door]

They are equally foolish and I look down on both of them.

You look down on the entire human race?

[Cannon]

Who are you quoting celler?

[davewhite04]

Norsefire.

But not all the human race are theists and atheists, we have agnostics too.

[Enmos]

Norsefire.

But not all the human race are theists and atheists, we have agnostics too.

Which are essentially atheists though.

[Cellar_Door]

But not all the human race are theists and atheists, we have agnostics too.

An agnostic is merely a type of Athiest; you either believe in a deity or you don't. If you are undecided then you don't believe.
This can equally be said of Polytheists and Pantheists - they are just different sub-categories of Theists.

[Underverse]

In all ways, it is superior to know something than to only believe it. This statement I offer as an answer to the OP's question.

"Arrogant fool! What about people who have had direct contact with God?"

Folks who claim to have met or communicated with God are only a different page of the same story about folks who believe in god. I enjoy carnival acts, though, so if you want to prove that this really happened to you, I might listen. If I wasn't bored I wouldn't be on the internet, right?

[davewhite04]

It doesn't matter whether you class a agnostic as a sub category of atheist or not, it is a term and category of people that exist.

Considering the OP doesn't specify agnostics then I would guess Norsefire may not look down on them, I could be wrong, I suppose it's over to him/her.

[Cellar_Door]

davewhite04 -


Considering the OP doesn't specify agnostics then I would guess Norsefire may not look down on them, I could be wrong, I suppose it's over to him/her.

You missed my point entirely.

You either believe in God or you don't. Belief is a surety. Whether you believe in many Gods; the entire pantheon; you believe God is merely symbolic or you're not sure then you are still either an Atheist or a Theist.

It's not putting people into boxes either; varied sub-categories exist because people and their beliefs are varied in themselves. Don't dismiss them, just accept that they don't affect the essential point.

[davewhite04]

Cellar Door

I didn't miss your point.

Like I said, over to NorseFire.

[PsychoticEpisode]

You either believe in God or you don't. Belief is a surety.

Earlier I mentioned that people have 2 choices, yes or no to a god. Personally I don't accept agnostiism as a choice but rather a decision in the making. No one said you have to decide right away. Hard to visualize someone who is exactly 50/50 one way or the other as it may be some small component that prevents the decisive moment. Possibly fear, not saying it is solely thus but that it could be a factor.

Ignosticism is relatively new. It could be construed as a more reasonable, rational or logical approach, therefore elevating its intellectual status. Personally I like it more than the apatheist viewpoint.

God is a meaningless term to an ignostic, and I have no problem with that, but it sure as hell takes the fun out of debating the subject. I've always maintained that if god were to exist then He is in absentia, totally non interfering and incommunicative. IOW an ignostic is more like how I imagine God might be should He/She /It exist. However the mere mention of God by an ignostic in any discussion kind of defeats the purpose, for me anyways. I have tons of respect for those who can take the ignostic position without getting involved in religious debate, very difficult to do but I understand why.

[Betrayer0fHope]

Not at all, I just think I have a more accurate view of reality then they have.


Both.


I have respect for them as human beings, but not much for their beliefs.. why should I ?

I change whatever I said to this. Well said. :bravo:

[Steve100]

I am an atheist.
I envy theists.

[Norsefire]

Theists and atheists play a foolish game of chance. I do not choose a side, I am agnostic in that I choose myself, I acknowledge that it is unknown.

So, I try to be a good a person as possible. If there is God, then great. If there is not, then so be it.

[Jan Ardena]

Quite clearly I'm superior to them from a rational viewpoint. Other than that I can appreciate their other attributes, but when it comes to the supernatural, I roll my eyes like this... :rolleyes:

I find, the fact that you believe you are obviously rationally superior, on the basis of title, very irrational.

Rationalism isn't a garb you claim because you are atheist, to be rational, you have to actually be rational.

Jan.

[Oniw17]

I don't look down on theists at all, but I do feel a bit superior to people who are obviously stupid(which is the majority among the more outspoken theists). Every religion has some value, but I don't think many of the ones I've read about have an acceptable system of metaphysics. I respect people's beliefs because I know everyone is secretly very prideful and I don't see any reason to hurt anyone's pride.

[KennyJC]

I find, the fact that you believe you are obviously rationally superior, on the basis of title, very irrational.

Rationalism isn't a garb you claim because you are atheist, to be rational, you have to actually be rational.

Jan.

Being rational involves the disbelief of FLYING ZOMBIES. I have no idea how you can claim that people who believe in FLYING ZOMBIES could be more rational.

[S.A.M.]

Why not? After all, which way is up?

[Norsefire]

Alot of atheists seem to think that because they are atheists, they are somehow smarter than theists. This is not the case. Many atheists are in fact more foolish.

[PsychoticEpisode]

Alot of atheists seem to think that because they are atheists, they are somehow smarter than theists. This is not the case. Many atheists are in fact more foolish.

How do fools recognize reason?

[Norsefire]

They don't.

[PsychoticEpisode]

They don't.

Back to square 1.

[Norsefire]

Back to square 1.

How so?

[KennyJC]

Alot of atheists seem to think that because they are atheists, they are somehow smarter than theists. This is not the case. Many atheists are in fact more foolish.

Perhaps not in every case. But I guarantee you that atheists are generally more educated.

The more atheistic a society, the more literate the society. This is just a fact.

[Jan Ardena]

Perhaps not in every case. But I guarantee you that atheists are generally more educated.

How do you work that one out?


The more atheistic a society, the more literate the society. This is just a fact.

The more dull the society. :)

Jan.

[S.A.M.]

An agnostic is merely a type of Athiest; you either believe in a deity or you don't. If you are undecided then you don't believe.

Atheists are crazy :crazy:

No != don't know

[KennyJC]

How do you work that one out?

The stats.

You're going to make me go find the url aren't you? Well I'll get back to you on that.


The more dull the society. :)

Jan.

You haven't been to Amsterdam..

[Enmos]

Atheists are crazy :crazy:

No != don't know

If you are undecided about the existence of God, do you believe in God ? Or do you not believe in God ?

[The Evelyonian]

As a Theist do you look down on Atheists as if you are better and more important than they are?, do you see yourself as superior and more intelligent than non believers?.

No, everyone has a right to believe whatever they want to believe. Just because someone believes differently than I do does not make me any better than them. Nor does it make them any better than me. I don't see Theists as being anymore superior or intelligent than Atheists or vice-versa.


do you have respect for them and the beliefs they hold as individuals?.

I respect them as human beings and I respect the fact the what they believe is their choice to make, not mine.

[kenworth]

i usually dont look down on theists but every now and again something like this turns up

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7534936.stm (number 4)

and its hard not to

[Spud Emperor]

Sorry but I do look down on theists.
I just can't get over the fact that despite whatever else goes on in their heads, whatever intelligent thought and rational reasoning, when it comes to scientific reasoning, evidence and belief pertaining to deities, they are off with the pixies.

[Jan Ardena]

Sorry but I do look down on theists.
I just can't get over the fact that despite whatever else goes on in their heads, whatever intelligent thought and rational reasoning, when it comes to scientific reasoning, evidence and belief pertaining to deities, they are off with the pixies.

And you believe that of every single theist?
What would you accept as evidence for the existence of God?

jan.

[iceaura]

What would you accept as evidence for the existence of God? Whatever it would be, you haven't got it.

But you accept the evidence you do have - contrary to reason, to principle, and to honest recognition of common reality.

[KennyJC]

And you believe that of every single theist?
What would you accept as evidence for the existence of God?

jan.

Well the god of the bible is always interfering with the world in a physical way.

Something like that would help.

[codanblad]

Alot of atheists seem to think that because they are atheists, they are somehow smarter than theists. This is not the case. Many atheists are in fact more foolish.


Perhaps not in every case. But I guarantee you that atheists are generally more educated.

The more atheistic a society, the more literate the society. This is just a fact.

both of you pulling facts out of ur arse.

i think atheists feel smarter because they weren't indoctrinated by something well designed to indoctrinate people.

[KennyJC]

both of you pulling facts out of ur arse.

i think atheists feel smarter because they weren't indoctrinated by something well designed to indoctrinate people.

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

"I'm not saying that believing in God makes you dumber. My hypothesis is that people with a low intelligence are more easily drawn toward religions, which give answers that are certain, while people with a high intelligence are more skeptical,"

"Why should fewer academics believe in God than the general population? I believe it is simply a matter of the IQ. Academics have higher IQs than the general population. Several Gallup poll studies of the general population have shown that those with higher IQs tend not to believe in God,"

"Literally-oriented religious Believers did not differ significantly from Mythologically-oriented Believers on measures of intelligence, authoritarianism, or racial prejudice. Religious Believers as a group were found to be significantly less intelligent and more authoritarian than religious Skeptics."

In the US, according to raw data from the 2004 General Social Survey, those with graduate degrees were the least likely to believe in the afterlife or the Bible as the word of God, suggesting a link between religious belief and lower educational attainment

http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Intelligence%20&%20religion.htm

"Whereas 90% of the general population has a distinct belief in a personal god and a life after death, only 40% of scientists on the B.S. level favor this belief in religion and merely 10 % of those who are considered 'eminent' scientists believe in a personal god or in an afterlife."

A recent survey of members of the National Academy of Sciences showed that 72% are outright atheists, 21% are agnostic and only 7% admit to belief in a personal God.

Studied group with IQ's over 140. Of men, 10 percent held strong religious belief, of women 18 percent. Sixty-two percent of men and 57 percent of women claimed "little religious inclination" while 28 percent of the men and 23 percent of the women claimed it was "not at all important."

I think there's more than enough in those 2 urls to prove I'm not just pulling it out of my ass.

But my main point was to point out the clear difference in intelligence between fundamentalist christians in the USA compared with the rest of the population. You don't need stats to prove that fundamentalist christians are more idiotic than the rest of the population.

[Norsefire]

However there is no direct evidence between intelligence and religion. Washington was a devout Christian, yet I'd hardly call him a mindless imbecile:shrug:
Lincoln as well

[KennyJC]

However there is no direct evidence between intelligence and religion. Washington was a devout Christian, yet I'd hardly call him a mindless imbecile:shrug:
Lincoln as well

Did you even read my post? It's a statistical thing, so naming people off the top of your head who were smart and religious does not override the polls that show that stupid people lean towards religion more than smart people.

[Randwolf]

However there is no direct evidence between intelligence and religion. Washington was a devout Christian, yet I'd hardly call him a mindless imbecile

Why not? What was his IQ, or some other measure of intelligence to exclude hime from the group of 'mindless imbeciles'?

[Saquist]

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?

As a theist do you look down on atheists as if you are better and more important than they are?, do you see yourself as superior and more intelligent than non believers?.


Do either catagories act smug towards the other? do you have respect for them and the beliefs they hold as individuals?.



peace.



This is a really good question. I think the are alot of people on these forums that indulge in smug superiority, after all knowledge is power and the best representation of a human being is how they use that power. It shows their true character....I think thats a quote I've read somewhere and I think it's true.

While I'm not theist. I do acknowledge the existence of God yet I understand perfectly those that chose to be atheist and the strict scientific perspective as well. If I couldn't relate to a differing position then I would have no business interacting with anyone.

[Jan Ardena]

This is a really good question. I think the are alot of people on these forums that indulge in smug superiority, after all knowledge is power and the best representation of a human being is how they use that power. It shows their true character....I think thats a quote I've read somewhere and I think it's true.

While I'm not theist. I do acknowledge the existence of God yet I understand perfectly those that chose to be atheist and the strict scientific perspective as well. If I couldn't relate to a differing position then I would have no business interacting with anyone.

Sasquist, if you're not theist, not atheist, not agnostic, then how would you describe your position?

jan.

[Saquist]

I never describe knowledge as belief.
I've taken in considerable amount of information of all sorts and I haven't seen a need to stop yet.

Theist make the mistake of speaking from belief and faith. MAYBE it's at not mistake at all. Maybe that truely is what it is, merely a belief. Maybe they haven't taken in information that should verify it beyond doubt.

The same kinda goes for the atheist. Most atheist merely believe and I'm not saying that as some sort of slight. Many here on this forum still relate their position, verbally, as a belief. Others are more careful. Like Sedistix relates his position as atheist as a lack of belief.

[Jan Ardena]

Saquist,


Theist make the mistake of speaking from belief and faith.

Would a theist do that even when speaking of everyday things, or only in discussions on topics of religion?
Does theism dominate every aspect of a theists life?


The same kinda goes for the atheist. Most atheist merely believe and I'm not saying that as some sort of slight.

I agree. But what is actually wrong with belief?
Is it possible to not believe, or even to have some conviction of knowledge without belief?


Many here on this forum still relate their position, verbally, as a belief. Others are more careful. Like Sedistix relates his position as atheist as a lack of belief.

But he believes that doesn't he?
And it wouldn't surprise me if he came to that conclusion by reading the words of those whom he respect, who say the same thing.

I'm still not sure how you would describe yourself.

[Saquist]

I think most of us make the mistake of refering to certain parts of our knowledge as belief. For the typical theist this does dominate every aspect of their life, to relate things in terms of belief. But the truth is most that believe in God do not excercise that particular muscle. Have you seen some of the stastics on those that believe in God and how often they practice?

Belief often represents an uncertainty of knowledge. How often do you refer to things you're 100% sure of as a belief? Do you 'believe' you live in a certain country, do you 'believe' you have parents or do you know?

Thus I don't believe in God, I know there is a God. It's a totaly different perspective.

Sed relates that he neithers believes in any god nor does not believe in any God....but merely lacks a belief either way which is one of the definitions of atheist. His behavior sometimes....says otherwise.

In anycase I sense it's based on a lack of knowing anything about a god and humans after a period of exposure always make a judgement or apply a label. At this point I "believe" he's now come to a point of disbelief in God.

[Jan Ardena]

Saquist,


I think most of us make the mistake of refering to certain parts of our knowledge as belief. For the typical theist this does dominate every aspect of their life, to relate things in terms of belief. But the truth is most that believe in God do not excercise that particular muscle.

I think that belief is tied into our knowledge, as opposed to being a seperate part of our being. And if that is the case, it would stand to reason that our beliefs dominate, or are active in our everyday lives.
I think what we say we believe, can, and is often, different to how we act in relation to that belief.
This could be due to wanting to come across, as the idea we have of ourselves.


Have you seen some of the stastics on those that believe in God and how often they practice?

I may have in the past, but I take statistics quite lightly, unless I have some idea how they have conducted the surveys.


Belief often represents an uncertainty of knowledge. How often do you refer to things you're 100% sure of as a belief? Do you 'believe' you live in a certain country, do you 'believe' you have parents or do you know?

I understand what you mean, and am in no position to doubt your knowledge.
But on the issue of belief, I cannot see how it can be separated from knowledge. I know I live in the UK, but I also believe I live in the UK, and I believe that I know I am living in the UK.


Thus I don't believe in God, I know there is a God. It's a totaly different perspective.

How would you describe your relationship with God, if you don't believe in Him?


Sed relates that he neithers believes in any god nor does not believe in any God....but merely lacks a belief either way which is one of the definitions of atheist. His behavior sometimes....says otherwise.

If he is a self-professed atheist, then I suspect he has something to live up to, in order to be accepted as a modern atheist, which is probably why he explains his position in that manner.
He doesn't believe in God, that's totally understandable, and there can be quite a few reasons for that position. But that's as far as he can go, outside of saying God does not exist, and if he says God does not exist, which is why he doesn't believe, then he believes God doesn't exist, as he cannot know.
If he says he knows God doesn't exist, then his position, on the surface, is no different to your own.
What would you say the difference in position is?


In anycase I sense it's based on a lack of knowing anything about a god and humans after a period of exposure always make a judgement or apply a label. At this point I "believe" he's now come to a point of disbelief in God.

So in a sense, atheism is the position of one who does not believe in God, for whatever reason.
How would you describe modern atheism?

Jan.

[Medicine*Woman]

However there is no direct evidence between intelligence and religion. Washington was a devout Christian, yet I'd hardly call him a mindless imbecile:shrug: Lincoln as well
*************
M*W: G. Washington was a Freemason. I would hardly call him a "devout Christian."

Lincoln gave us a few hints that he, too, was not a "devout Christian." See below:

"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession."

and

"My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have become clearer and stronger with advancing years, and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them."

[Hapsburg]

As a theist do you look down on atheists as if you are better and more important than they are?, do you see yourself as superior and more intelligent than non believers?
No. That'd be horrifically prejudiced in a manner that would be staggering in this day and age. A person should be judged on individual merits or individual beliefs, not on vague things like a theological stance.

[Mr. Hamtastic]

From experience? Theists look down on atheists as well as other theists whose beliefs are different from thei own. Atheists look down on everybody that believes in something they don't have proof of. There are exceptions, of course. For myself? I try to point out to anyone who will listen that it is silly to disrespect someone's beliefs. To me, it's like disrespecting them based on their favorite soda.

[Sarkus]

While I'm not theist. I do acknowledge the existence of God....Your understanding of theism is slightly flawed.

Theism is the assertion that God exists.

This assertion can arise through mere belief or through a claim of direct knowledge etc.

If you acknoweldge the existence of God then you are a theist.


Theism is not just a "belief" that god(s) exists... but is often stated as such 'cos the most usual scenario is assertion through faith (i.e. belief) rather than a claim of direct knowledge.

As for the OP:

As an Atheist do you think you are better than theists judging by the belief they hold?, do you look down on them and see believers as less intelligent or more simple?"Better"? No. Who is anyone to judge someone else's entire personality and ability through their (ir)rational thought processes concerning a matter into which they have likely been indoctrinated since birth.

It takes more than a single "belief" on which to make such grand assessments of someone.

[audible]

Wonderful. So "they" (in this case Christians, because that is the only religion I can claim to have a passing familiarity with) are "victims"? Because they choose, of their own free will, or what passes for "free will" in today's enlightened society, to believe in God? Are you high? Or maybe I am up too late. I really don't know where to start with this post. I mean, there is so much wrong here....How do the religious chose of there own free will as you say, to follow X religion, nearly all are indoctrinated into a religion. Where does the choice come into it.

[Mr. Hamtastic]

ngeh? hutbay raday ouvey alkingtay boutyay illisvay?