Religion

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

15. Speaking of nominalists,

Mon Dec 31, 2018, 08:48 PM

Dec 2018

does this actual survey by an actual polling organization indicate that some atheists are nominally atheists?

4
Although the literal definition of “atheist” is “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, 8% of those who call themselves atheists also say they believe in God or a universal spirit.
Indeed, 2% say they are “absolutely certain” about the existence of God or a universal spirit. Alternatively, there are many people who fit the dictionary definition of “atheist” but do not call themselves atheists. About three times as many Americans say they do not believe in God or a universal spirit (9%) as say they are atheists (3%).

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-facts-about-atheists/

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

93 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

In Reality, Most People Who Say They Are Affiliated with Some Religion [View all] MineralMan Dec 2018 OP

Religion and Belief in a Higher Power violetpastille Dec 2018 #1

I say I was raised catholic kimbutgar Dec 2018 #2

I love the Sermon on the Mount but.. violetpastille Dec 2018 #3

The definition of theist is very narrow, too. Mariana Dec 2018 #6

A nice observation. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #14

Mindreading in evidence? guillaumeb Dec 2018 #4

That is an interesting attempt at framing his post Lordquinton Dec 2018 #5

Do not confuse "many" with the small number of non-theists guillaumeb Dec 2018 #10

"I understand the need to believe that a position is the correct one..." Lordquinton Dec 2018 #21

Define "many". guillaumeb Dec 2018 #23

"Many" means a significant portion. MineralMan Jan 2019 #46

One hopes that Lord Quinton will read this reply. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #69

Which "One" hopes that? MineralMan Jan 2019 #73

I understand "many" to mean... NeoGreen Jan 2019 #74

Right. It doesn't mean most at all. MineralMan Jan 2019 #77

define alternate or parallel universe Lordquinton Jan 2019 #86

Yours? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #87

You stated that evidence for your creator might be found in one Lordquinton Jan 2019 #88

Google the term. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #89

Then post what you found Lordquinton Jan 2019 #90

Do you disagree with the opinions given in the OP, Gil? nt. Mariana Dec 2018 #7

I do. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #11

That's kinda rich coming from someone who defines what atheists are and what they believe Major Nikon Jan 2019 #64

Argue with the surveys that suggest that your position is incorrect. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #72

For example, here's info on such a survey: MineralMan Jan 2019 #80

Name one, much less more than one Major Nikon Jan 2019 #81

Observation and analysis MineralMan Dec 2018 #8

More framing than anything. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #12

And framing, after all, is only ok when you do it Lordquinton Dec 2018 #22

Only I can create Commandments. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #24

Anyone can create commandments Major Nikon Jan 2019 #82

Well, thanks for your permission for me to express myself MineralMan Jan 2019 #55

Do you ever respond with anything of substance? MineralMan Dec 2018 #9

I could link to your many replies to theists where you guillaumeb Dec 2018 #13

That is not an answer to my question. MineralMan Jan 2019 #57

Yes, it is. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #70

LOL! Once again, you punt. MineralMan Jan 2019 #75

Technically, it is an answer... NeoGreen Jan 2019 #76

My original question had to do with substance. MineralMan Jan 2019 #79

This message was self-deleted by its author LongtimeAZDem Jan 2019 #78

Speaking of nominalists, guillaumeb Dec 2018 #15

What is a universal spirit, Gil? Mariana Dec 2018 #16

Some here disagreed with you on this. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #18

It could mean deity, but it doesn't have to mean that. Mariana Dec 2018 #19

True, guillaumeb Dec 2018 #20

Congratulations, Gil. Mariana Dec 2018 #25

Perhaps you should also award one to the original poster, guillaumeb Jan 2019 #68

Oh, just to review: Mariana Dec 2018 #17

Again? Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #41

I wouldn't disagree with saying that some atheists are nominal atheists. MineralMan Jan 2019 #47

In reality, all religion is personal Cary Dec 2018 #26

I got the message. violetpastille Jan 2019 #27

Why would his claim as to what you believe sting even a little? Cary Jan 2019 #29

Good question! violetpastille Jan 2019 #32

My husband's parents were nominal Christians. Mariana Jan 2019 #35

Meet me here violetpastille Jan 2019 #36

I don't know if she believed in God. Mariana Jan 2019 #39

I violetpastille Jan 2019 #40

If you do not adhere to the tenets of Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #42

I don't know. Are you? Mariana Jan 2019 #63

You don't know. violetpastille Jan 2019 #84

Why are you avoiding the question? Lordquinton Jan 2019 #91

Why would an all powerful entity care if you prayed? Cary Jan 2019 #51

You might want to reread the OP - it wasn't about anyone's faith. Mariana Jan 2019 #61

If mineralman is so formidable why would he need you to defend him? Cary Jan 2019 #65

I don't need anyone to defend me. I appreciate positive comments, MineralMan Jan 2019 #67

The veracity of people's religion gets judged all the time on DU. Mariana Jan 2019 #28

I would say this: Cary Jan 2019 #30

I don't understand what you mean. Mariana Jan 2019 #31

It's not cool to use your theism as a cudgel. violetpastille Jan 2019 #34

He's using words to express his opinion in this group Mariana Jan 2019 #37

I'm referencing MM violetpastille Jan 2019 #38

Yes, I did write that. I also wrote that people should not bludgeon MineralMan Jan 2019 #71

Odd Cary Jan 2019 #45

Which words were those, and how did you affirm them? Mariana Jan 2019 #62

No I have lost my patience Cary Jan 2019 #66

If you stand by those words Lordquinton Jan 2019 #92

Exactly Cary Jan 2019 #43

Does not hold up Lordquinton Jan 2019 #93

I don't think violetpastille Jan 2019 #33

Facts do not change Cary Jan 2019 #44

Smartphones are inanimate. They are neither good nor bad. MineralMan Jan 2019 #58

Religion is a technology violetpastille Jan 2019 #83

Hmm..I'm not seeing that metaphor really. MineralMan Jan 2019 #85

It's not a judgment, negative or positive. It is a fact. MineralMan Jan 2019 #48

I didn't say you criticized Cary Jan 2019 #53

The wonderful thing about this Group on DU is that MineralMan Jan 2019 #54

Consider how few people can get the rules for Monopoly right. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #49

What percentage of DUers have read the TOS? MineralMan Jan 2019 #50

I do; I also read EULAs. I have a problem. But, your point is well taken. LongtimeAZDem Jan 2019 #56

Exactly. Christianity became dominant because it is a convenient MineralMan Jan 2019 #59

Very good. I'm one of them. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #52

You have plenty of company! MineralMan Jan 2019 #60