Page 1 of 23
Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
by Philip
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
NOTE: The article's research link at the bottom of this post has now been updated to provide the original research results (as the old link had been deleted).
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. The research found that despite their godlessness, a majority of atheist believe in some for of supernatural things. And that the godlessness of atheism and agnosticism has considerable variations within their beliefs, varying from individual to individual, as well as between those in different countries and cultures. My ultimate takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - even though they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet, they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Philip
And here are the actual research and conclusions (
this link has now been updated):
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/research/cent ... report.pdf
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 5:50 am
by PaulSacramento
There is a difference between those that don't believe in God and those that believe that the material, observable, universe is all there is.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
by Kenny
Philip wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. It found that despite their godlessness, a majority believe in at …
And here is the actual research and conclusions:
https://research.kent.ac.uk/understandi ... rtRome.pdf
My takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
by RickD
Kenny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
Philip wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. It found that despite their godlessness, a majority believe in at …
And here is the actual research and conclusions:
https://research.kent.ac.uk/understandi ... rtRome.pdf
My takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
Philip wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. It found that despite their godlessness, a majority believe in at …
And here is the actual research and conclusions:
https://research.kent.ac.uk/understandi ... rtRome.pdf
My takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
by RickD
Kenny wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
Philip wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. It found that despite their godlessness, a majority believe in at …
And here is the actual research and conclusions:
https://research.kent.ac.uk/understandi ... rtRome.pdf
My takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:34 pm
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
Philip wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 1:55 pm
From NewScientist.com:
"Most atheists believe in the supernatural, despite trusting science"
30 May 2019
Atheists are more irrational than you might think
by Jenny Matthews / Alamy Stock Photo
The research article was written by a group of professors from Oxford, University of Kent, and St. Mary's, covering unbelievers' beliefs across a variety of countries.
Here's the introductory paragraph: Belief in the supernatural is still alive and kicking, even among people who don’t believe in a god. Research on atheists and agnostics around the world has revealed that almost nobody can claim to completely reject irrational beliefs such as life after death, astrology, and the existence of a universal life-force.
The UK-based Understanding Unbelief project interviewed thousands of self-identified atheists and agnostics from six countries – Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, US and UK. It found that despite their godlessness, a majority believe in at …
And here is the actual research and conclusions:
https://research.kent.ac.uk/understandi ... rtRome.pdf
My takeaway is, a lot of atheists and agnostics nonetheless have supernatural beliefs that are not science-based - they dismiss the idea of God or god. And yet they simultaneously embrace the supernatural. Interesting!
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Agnosticism is not about what you believe or don't believe, its about what you know or don't know
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:56 pm
by RickD
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:34 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:44 pm
Does this surprise you? If so, why?
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Agnosticism is not about what you believe or don't believe, its about what you know or don't know
How many times does this need to be explained to you?
An Agnostic believes that he cannot know whether or not God exists.
So it IS about what one believes.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:47 pm
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:56 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:34 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:19 pm
No, it's not surprising that atheists would dismiss God's existence, while believing the supernatural exists. Atheism is an emotional, non-rational position. There's no evidence nor proof, that God doesn't exist. It just shows that those atheists simply refuse to believe in God.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Agnosticism is not about what you believe or don't believe, its about what you know or don't know
How many times does this need to be explained to you?
An Agnostic believes that he cannot know whether or not God exists.
So it IS about what one believes.
Not quite. The agnostic CLAIMS nobody can know whether or not God exists.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:03 am
by RickD
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:47 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:56 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:34 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:39 pm
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have the attitude, that if you are going to believe in the Supernatural, you might as well believe in God! Is this correct? Or am I misjudging you.
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Agnosticism is not about what you believe or don't believe, its about what you know or don't know
How many times does this need to be explained to you?
An Agnostic believes that he cannot know whether or not God exists.
So it IS about what one believes.
Not quite. The agnostic CLAIMS nobody can know whether or not God exists.
Kenny,
How many claims do people make, that they DO NOT actually believe?
If I claim something to be true, that means that I first have to believe it to be true!
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:06 pm
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:03 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:47 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:56 pm
Kenny wrote: ↑Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:34 pm
RickD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 3:00 am
Misjudging me? You're not addressing what I wrote. Agnosticism is the more honest position.
Agnosticism is not about what you believe or don't believe, its about what you know or don't know
How many times does this need to be explained to you?
An Agnostic believes that he cannot know whether or not God exists.
So it IS about what one believes.
Not quite. The agnostic CLAIMS nobody can know whether or not God exists.
Kenny,
How many claims do people make, that they DO NOT actually believe?
If I claim something to be true, that means that I first have to believe it to be true!
Gnostic means to have knowledge.
Agnostic is about not having knowledge concerning God. Do you agree?
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:51 am
by RickD
Kenny wrote:
Gnostic means to have knowledge.
Not quite. Gnostic is not a verb. As an adjective, gnostic means "relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge."
Kenny wrote:
Agnostic is about not having knowledge concerning God. Do you agree?
No. You keep leaving out the "believing" part in the definition. I'd like to give you the benefit of doubt, but when you continually redefine words so they fit your narrative, I question your honesty.
An Agnostic, is a person who
believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:47 am
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:51 am
Kenny wrote:
Gnostic means to have knowledge.
Not quite. Gnostic is not a verb. As an adjective, gnostic means "relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge."
Kenny wrote:
Agnostic is about not having knowledge concerning God. Do you agree?
No. You keep leaving out the "believing" part in the definition. I'd like to give you the benefit of doubt, but when you continually redefine words so they fit your narrative, I question your honesty.
An Agnostic, is a person who
believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Okay I see where you're coming from. Let me rephrase.
Theism/Atheism is based on belief concerning God
Agnosticism is based on belief concerning
knowledge of God
Do you agree?
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:42 am
by RickD
Kenny wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:47 am
RickD wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:51 am
Kenny wrote:
Gnostic means to have knowledge.
Not quite. Gnostic is not a verb. As an adjective, gnostic means "relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge."
Kenny wrote:
Agnostic is about not having knowledge concerning God. Do you agree?
No. You keep leaving out the "believing" part in the definition. I'd like to give you the benefit of doubt, but when you continually redefine words so they fit your narrative, I question your honesty.
An Agnostic, is a person who
believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Okay I see where you're coming from. Let me rephrase.
Theism/Atheism is based on belief concerning God
Agnosticism is based on belief concerning
knowledge of God
Do you agree?
No.
Re: Many Atheists DO Believe in the Supernatural
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:38 am
by Kenny
RickD wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:42 am
Kenny wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:47 am
RickD wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:51 am
Kenny wrote:
Gnostic means to have knowledge.
Not quite. Gnostic is not a verb. As an adjective, gnostic means "relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge."
Kenny wrote:
Agnostic is about not having knowledge concerning God. Do you agree?
No. You keep leaving out the "believing" part in the definition. I'd like to give you the benefit of doubt, but when you continually redefine words so they fit your narrative, I question your honesty.
An Agnostic, is a person who
believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Okay I see where you're coming from. Let me rephrase.
Theism/Atheism is based on belief concerning God
Agnosticism is based on belief concerning
knowledge of God
Do you agree?
No.
Considering the definition you provided, tell me where I've gone wrong.