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New tribe started for Agnostics: tribes.tribe.net/agnosticsonly
Being certain is stupid, whereas exercising doubt and critical thinking is more intelligent. Agnosticism is simply about being skeptical. Skeptical Atheists are welcome, and we ask that all people be considerate and polite when posting. Labels matter little, it's what's going on between the ears that counts.
True skeptics are skeptical of skeptics, skepticism, and him/herself.
Admitting that you may be wrong shows strength of character. We're only human. The only people who don't make mistakes aren't doing anything at all.
Agnostics may have suspicions about social/scientific/spiritual concepts having more or less validity, but our trick is discussing such topics without an emotional investment in any particular outcome.
So, with an open mind, a warm heart, and a colorful sense of humor, we extend our invitation to anyone inclined towards the Agnostic point of view.
Being certain is stupid, whereas exercising doubt and critical thinking is more intelligent. Agnosticism is simply about being skeptical. Skeptical Atheists are welcome, and we ask that all people be considerate and polite when posting. Labels matter little, it's what's going on between the ears that counts.
True skeptics are skeptical of skeptics, skepticism, and him/herself.
Admitting that you may be wrong shows strength of character. We're only human. The only people who don't make mistakes aren't doing anything at all.
Agnostics may have suspicions about social/scientific/spiritual concepts having more or less validity, but our trick is discussing such topics without an emotional investment in any particular outcome.
So, with an open mind, a warm heart, and a colorful sense of humor, we extend our invitation to anyone inclined towards the Agnostic point of view.
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Re: OT: New Tribe
Mon, April 20, 2009 - 2:52 PMHi Brendan,
I took a look at the "agnostics only" tribe and the tribe description strikes me as intolerant, dishonest, and conceited. I know it's not your work, but consider:
It starts off by telling us that religious people and atheists are not welcome.
"Every agnostics group, tribe, blog I've ever attended turned out to have been taken over by pushy atheists or religious zealots. This time, they're not welcome."
Ok, I can take a hint.
Next it says "It's not that I have anything against theists and atheists," which is obviously false or he would not ridicule their viewpoint, exclude them, or insist dogmatically that "Agnosticism is the only belief that is truely based on logic despite what those atheists will tell you." Exactly what principle of "logic" this is based on remains a mystery, but atheists are apparently irrational liars who have faith in the non-existence of God, even when they say this description does not fit their beliefs.
The unintentional irony here is dizzying. Agnosticism is supposed to be about suspending belief and avoiding false certainties and this tribe description makes controversial intolerant claims and treats them as obvious truth. Could anything be further from the spirit of agnosticism? -
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Re: OT: New Tribe
Mon, April 20, 2009 - 7:07 PMI had no editorial control over the tribe's description, but I think it's safe to say that you're observations are valid.
Again, humans are imperfect, and if you consider the frustration that led to the tribe's creation the description is more understandable. It was probably written in haste without much time to settle down from a mind-numbing argument. All in all, my attitude about the tribe and the invitations I have posted seem to reflect Agnostics Only more accurately.
All in all, the tribe is shaping up nicely, it's description notwithstanding. The map is not the territory.
"Every agnostics group, tribe, blog I've ever attended turned out to have been taken over by pushy atheists or religious zealots. This time, they're not welcome."
Focus on the words "pushy" and "zealots". As long as you are level-headed and maintain enough of skepticism about your own beliefs to contribute to discussions free from strong emotional investments, you're agnostic enough for me. We just don't want to be bombarded with "Jesus Loves You" or angry defenses of atheism.
Voodoo: if you experience a problem joining the tribe, let me know and I'll notify the moderator and go over the tribe's description with him to see if we can soften it up and clear up who will be accepted into the tribe.
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Re: OT: New Tribe
Tue, April 21, 2009 - 10:48 AMBrendan,
I actually enjoyed your contributions over in the agnostics tribe, but the tribe description for "agnostic only" seems pretty typical of the posts of its author, i.e. dogmatically agnostic (how's that for an oxymoron?). I tried to engage him respectfully and ask questions, but he mostly just evaded them and continued to make dogmatic assertions. And then of course another atheist poster showed up and launched a stream of verbal diarrhea at anyone within shouting range.
Bah, I enjoy the philosophical aspects of these discussions but I run out of patience for the fevered egos. -
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Unsu...
Re: OT: New Tribe
Tue, April 21, 2009 - 6:44 PMJust a tent short of a circus... Well, I went out on a limb and helped someone start a tribe. What's funny to me is I sent my proposed invitation to the moderator for edits before I posted it, and he didn't take issue with the leeway I gave for open-minded folks so long as they can be reasonable, polite, and willing to question their own beliefs for the sake of discussions.
The description for the tribe per your observations has almost the opposite attitude that my invitation conveys, but I never bothered to read it.
Oh well. Hopefully, the cream will rise to the top... -
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Re: OT: New Tribe
Wed, April 22, 2009 - 10:59 AMGrins.... Debating a non-falsifiable hypothesis could be considered an exercise in futility....
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