View Poll Results: Where do you fit on the belief scale?

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  • Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.

    71 74.74%
  • De-facto Theist: I can't know for sure but I believe and I live on the assumption that he's there.

    10 10.53%
  • Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.

    5 5.26%
  • Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.

    2 2.11%
  • Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.

    1 1.05%
  • De-facto Atheist: I can't know for sure but it's very improbable and I live under that assumption.

    6 6.32%
  • Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

    0 0%
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Thread: The Belief Scale

  1. #1
    Varsity Bulldog RustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really nice
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    The Belief Scale

    In The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins formulated a 7-point belief scale from 1 (total belief) to 7 (total non-belief).

    I put this here, not so that we could flame each other. I'm simply curious as to the makeup of the "gen pop" here

    Where do you fit on the belief scale?

    1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
    2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
    3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
    4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
    5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
    6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
    7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.
    By the way, answers are public so if you don't want to 'out' yourself don't answer!
    Last edited by RustonNative; 08-30-2009 at 11:43 AM.

  2. #2
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    You will have Randerizer, Guiss and possibly Simon & Yarfunkle joining you as a 6 or a 7. There are a few of our more liberal posters who I am not sure about.

  3. #3
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by Bigdog13 View Post
    You will have Randerizer, Guiss and possibly Simon & Yarfunkle joining you as a 6 or a 7. There are a few of our more liberal posters who I am not sure about.
    Yarfunkle was fairly recently blessed with a healthy daughter, wasn't he?

  4. #4
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    I would say 6.5, I am certain but not 100% sure. The same level of belief as in the existence of the invisible gremlin. Is it possible to be open-minded if you "Know" God exists?
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  5. #5
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by Guisslapp View Post
    Is it possible to be open-minded if you "Know" God exists?
    Of course. It's possible to be open minded if you know that 2+2=4 or if you know how RNA replication takes place...or anything else.

    I guess I'd have to get you to explain what you mean by open-minded.
    Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle

  6. #6
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnylightnin View Post
    Of course. It's possible to be open minded if you know that 2+2=4 or if you know how RNA replication takes place...or anything else.

    I guess I'd have to get you to explain what you mean by open-minded.
    If you "know" God exists, can you be persuaded that he doesn't if evidence comes to light?
    Jordan Mills on choosing Tech:
    “It’s a great experience seeing them play. It was a good atmosphere. The fans stood up the whole game and never sat down. They have a great fan base.”

  7. #7
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by Guisslapp View Post
    If you "know" God exists, can you be persuaded that he doesn't if evidence comes to light?
    The whole falsifiability thing?

    Yes, I'd say it is.
    Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle

  8. #8
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnylightnin View Post
    The whole falsifiability thing?

    Yes, I'd say it is.
    Not sure what you mean.
    Jordan Mills on choosing Tech:
    “It’s a great experience seeing them play. It was a good atmosphere. The fans stood up the whole game and never sat down. They have a great fan base.”

  9. #9
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    I'm not real thrilled about the way the quiz is worded, but an event changed the way I use to look at it. Someone pry me in there wherever you think.

  10. #10
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by DAWG DUDE View Post
    Yarfunkle was fairly recently blessed with a healthy daughter, wasn't he?
    Yes, I was.


    But, the difference between you and me is that I believe she is healthy not because of a divine spirit blessing her mother during pregnancy and childbirth, but for the care her mother took during her pregnancy and the amenities of modern day healthcare.

    I do not look down on anyone for their theistic (or atheistic) beliefs, nor do I try to convert anyone. I simply enjoy discussing religion from time to time.

  11. #11
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    My kid loves pickles too.

    Guiss,

    I meant that, if your definition of open-minded is that certain evidence could be shown to make me change my mind, then yes. You can be a strong theist (as defined by this thread) and still be open-minded.
    Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle

  12. #12
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by johnnylightnin View Post
    My kid loves pickles too.

    Guiss,

    I meant that, if your definition of open-minded is that certain evidence could be shown to make me change my mind, then yes. You can be a strong theist (as defined by this thread) and still be open-minded.
    Yeah, the way the options are worded is a little awkward for me. I wasn't given the option to vote that I "KNOW" that god doesn't exist. I would have voted for that, but saying 100% sure is different.
    Jordan Mills on choosing Tech:
    “It’s a great experience seeing them play. It was a good atmosphere. The fans stood up the whole game and never sat down. They have a great fan base.”

  13. #13
    Varsity Bulldog RustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really nice
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by Guisslapp View Post
    Yeah, the way the options are worded is a little awkward for me. I wasn't given the option to vote that I "KNOW" that god doesn't exist. I would have voted for that, but saying 100% sure is different.
    Yeah I think Dawkins worded it that way on purpose to separate those who are open to the possibility that they are wrong (however unlikely it may be to that person), and those who aren't.

  14. #14
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by RustonNative View Post
    Yeah I think Dawkins worded it that way on purpose to separate those who are open to the possibility that they are wrong (however unlikely it may be to that person), and those who aren't.
    A man that will never admit that he could be wrong is a man that has never been married.

  15. #15
    Varsity Bulldog RustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really niceRustonNative is just really nice
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    Re: The Belief Scale

    Quote Originally Posted by Dirtydawg View Post
    A man that will never admit that he could be wrong is a man that has never been married.
    quote of the day.

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