Death

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally Posted by Repugnant Abomination

People's beliefs rarely reflect how they actually live; I think that's a universal source of frustration for most people.

I'm not a nihilist though, because I'm not an atheist, I'm an agnostic. There are two types of agnostics: ones who don't think they can ever know if God exists, and ones who don't know but don't rule out the possibility that someday they might. I fall into the latter category. I also think there might be truth that exists outside the scope of science.

I still think that classifies you as an agnostic atheist, which I am as well, doesn't it? I have always seen "agnostic" as more of an adjective than a noun.

Agnostic atheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Skepticblog Are you an Atheist or Agnostic?

I admit this is rather trivial in the scope of the discussion, but I still hold to the idea that it's difficult to have strong opinions and desires for knowledge about "the big question" and still be an "agnostic". I don't claim to "know" either, but I am comfortable with the label of "agnostic atheist", which is what I am now.

I look at it as: If you don't actively believe in a specific god, or gods, and don't pray, or don't go to religious ceremonies, you are, by very definition, at the very least a "weak atheist", whether you like to admit it or not. If a person doesn't eat any sort of meat, but doesn't prefer to call themselves a vegetarian, it doesn't mean that they aren't still very much a vegetarian.

Either way, death fucking sucks, and I get really annoyed with guys like Harris and Dawkins who try to put this positive, humanist spin on it. I think deep down they know it's a bleaker world view, but you can't come out with that cause you're trying to rally people to your cause. It's all PR nonsense.

One could say the same thing about those who try to put a positive, humanist spin on something that, so far, does not seem to be a reality. I think it's important to note that both sides do this. Goes back to DH's truth vs. happiness thing. You can't blame Dawkins and Harris for trying to make it easier for people to accept the finality of death, and make life worthwhile.