Would You Prefer...

[daisya]

...to be called an atheist or a realist...and is there a difference?

[grasscarp]

Are you assuming we are all one or the other?

[daisya]

Not really grass..just wondering how people may label themselves when not religionists.

[naomi24]

^^I don't think Daisy is saying that at all.

I don't think there's a difference, Daisy, so I really don't mind either. They're one and the same.

[daisya]

Swat I thought too Naomi... Though I prefer realist I think.....

[sara3]

I really don't mind, so long as it's not offensive!

[mikey4444]

Can't really see a difference but I prefer "rationalist" Kind-of says it all !

[daisya]

Must admit realist means (to me) that I am in the real world ...one hopes... I prefer to see things from a real point of view rather than what religionists dictate I am supposed to be..in their eyes.

[grasscarp]

The section is for religion and spirituality so you could think the question was for those who are religious. I am I think in touch with reality and a believer in God. However if this question only for people who are non believers I will go away.

[naomi24]

I think the word ‘atheist’ is often instantly viewed with suspicion – and immediately puts some backs up. On the other hand, the word ‘realist’ in this sense implies that people of religion are not realists, and hence, puts backs up. I suppose whichever way you look at it, it’s going to upset someone. Oh well….. ;o)

[mikey4444]

grasscarp...all opinions are welcome here on AB, so please join in !

[daisya]

'Fraid so Naomi... But isn't atheist the religionists' way of describing those who don't think the same as they do? I prefer to be myself and not the label that those who "believe" give us.

[grasscarp]

I think I did mikey! :o)

[naomi24]

daisy, Theist = one who believes in a god or gods – A-theist = an absence of belief in a god or gods.

Grasscarp, //I am I think in touch with reality and a believer in God.//

That makes no sense. How can believing that something exists for which there is no evidence be realistic? You may as well say believing in fairies is realistic - but since there's no evidence to support their existence, you're realistic enough to know it isn't.

[sandyRoe]

I think the epithet I coined here in AB is as good a title as any for them: The unGodly Goodly.

[modeller]

grasscarp //I am I think in touch with reality and a believer in God. //
Would you like to elaborate on what you call 'in touch with reality '?
Apart from the physical world which you can confirm with the senses, what do you think of as reality.
e.g Do you consider the bible has any reality ?

[RATTER15]

How about "The Non Deluded" :-)

[modeller]

daisya I prefer to be called an Atheist because I don't believe in Gods in any form. I am a Realist because I believe in what can be exhibited /proved repeatably . However as a realist I also know there will always be things in science that so far we don't fully understand.

[Old_Geezer]

Since one can not know if atheism is the real faith, then one ought not feel a need to choose between them.

[naomi24]

OG, it can't be a faith. One cannot have faith in nothing.

[Spoonboy]

An atheist.