User: Bahleda

Sorry Shadowwatcher, but your definition is incorrect. "Atheism" comes from "A," meaning not or without; and "theism," meaning belief in a god of some sort. Therefore "atheism" is simply absence of belief in God. "Agnosticism" basically means being on the fence, whether they're just not sure which stance to take or whether they don't think either view can be endorsed. Both an atheist and an agnostic could answer no to the question "are you sure there is no god?" However, only an atheist could answer no to the question "do you think there is any god?" A theist would of course say yes and an agnostic wouldn't be able to answer in one word.

As for the term spiritual atheist, my understanding is that it is an atheist who still feels like "there's something more to the universe" or, as has previously been suggested, feels toward the natural universe the same sense of spirituality that many feel towards their religion. I don't personally go for either, but when people say "spiritual atheist," I'm pretty sure that that is what they mean.

I would say it is unfair to dismiss the beliefs of some atheists that some kind of higher power created the universe as resulting from "neediness." Again, I personally don't agree with them, but at least many of them believe these things for logical reasons.

And Rico, here's a good quote to add to your list: "the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion" - Treaty of Tripoli.

Don't worry about it. Some douche just flagged all the polls, at least the ones in the religion section I just checked.

You Brits are racist as hell. Congratulations on being less tolerant than white Americans!

I didn't consciously think of myself as an atheist until around age 14 (beginning of 9th grade) but I'm sure my lack of belief goes back much further - I remember realizing the horror of not having an afterlife well before then.

Weird how everyone who sees through religion seems to have first caught on around the same age - 10 to 15, most often 12 or 13. Anyone have any thoughts on why that might be?

One of the problems with comparing "new music" to "old music" is that we are not really talking about all old music, just that which has stood the test of time. It is logical that most of the music around today is not as good as the cream of the crop from 30 years ago.

Also, I find it a little ironic that the poll maker seems so biased against those who prefer old music (I would not classify myself one way or the other).