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Discussion » Questions » Religion and Spirituality » If 9% of Americans don't believe in God, but only 3% are atheists, what are the other 6%?

If 9% of Americans don't believe in God, but only 3% are atheists, what are the other 6%?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-mortal/201604/what-do-we-know-about-atheists?collection=1092431

Posted - August 11, 2016

Responses


  • 3934

    Maybe weak Panentheists like me?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism

      August 11, 2016 10:07 PM MDT
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  • 5835

    Not enough energy to be atheists, I guess.

      August 11, 2016 10:34 PM MDT
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  • 2758

    Maybe it's a matter of name attribution. Many theists get uncomfortable at the suggestion of God having a name. They believe in A God, but not necessarily 'God.'  They would prefer the term 'God' not be used as a proper noun, IOW.

    So my guess is that the other 6 percent are theists of a more philosophically rigid variety (or miscounted agnostics).  As regards the latter, parenthetical point, I've encountered many atheists over the years who are not so bold as to say "God does not exist (an implied statement of faith in its own right devoid of some basis for the assumption)," but are more apt to leave the question open.

    In any case, debate with atheists has taught me one important lesson: the definition is a bit murky. :-)

      August 11, 2016 11:43 PM MDT
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  • 3934

    I can only offer my own perspective, but I do not like to give "God" a name because I don't believe "God" is a personified entity with desires, emotions, wishes to smite, etc.

    Assigning a proper name to "God" would make as much sense as assigning a proper name to the ocean, the vacuum of space, or the electromagnetic spectrum.

      August 12, 2016 12:14 AM MDT
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  • 46117

    Atheists.

    You don't believe in GOD - Atheist.  You don't know if there IS a GOD?   Agnostic.

    You don't believe in GOD there is only one answer. Atheist.  Period.  and AMEN.

      August 12, 2016 12:30 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    Provided such entity doesn't assume, possess or assert 'creative potential,' you'd be right. :-)

    Be that as it may the whole controversy reminds me of two programs on a holodeck arguing over whether 'the Pickard' exists. Until He calls for the arch, the debate will forever remain open-ended. :-)

      August 12, 2016 1:11 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    Well now, lessee.  What if I don't believe God exists, but I'm not certain of the accuracy of my analysis?  How should I answer?  Am I an agno-atheist? :-)

      August 12, 2016 1:14 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    Panentheism is a mighty big umbrella.  There are multiple variations on (or 'sects' within) the theme; Christian Panentheists are prolly the most common (like gnostics and, I suspect, Saints John and Paul), but there are Jewish Panentheists, Buddhist Panentheists, etc. as well.  This should go without saying, but alas...

      August 12, 2016 1:19 AM MDT
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  • 17261

    Some might not look at themselves as atheists. I found this an article describing seven types of non-belivers:

    1. Atheist

    2. Anti-theist

    3. Agnostic

    4. Skeptic

    5. Freethinker

    6. Humanist

    7. Pantheist

    Link for the article with more to each of the seven types: http://www.alternet.org/story/155685/no_religion_7_types_of_non-believers

      August 12, 2016 2:41 AM MDT
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  • 17261

    I don't agree.

      August 12, 2016 2:42 AM MDT
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  • 2758

    Excellent response!

      August 12, 2016 3:01 AM MDT
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  • 17261
    Thank you. I define myself as non-believer but haven't found any reason to define it any closer. I respect that others might believe in God(s). It might be helping them in their ways looking at life. It doesn't for me.
      August 12, 2016 3:58 AM MDT
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  • 34293
    Atheist
      August 12, 2016 4:14 AM MDT
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  • 34293
    Sharonna you are completely right.
      August 12, 2016 4:25 AM MDT
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  • 17261
    Wrong.
      August 12, 2016 4:27 AM MDT
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  • 34293
    Atheist. If you don't believe in God or a god, that is the definition of atheist.
    The other 6℅ perhaps are not comfortable calling themselves that but regardless that is the meaning.
    If I ask "What color is that?" People may say: blue, indigo, sky, royal blue, powder blue, cyan, cobalt etc. While all are correct in clarifying wthe type of color, they are all still Blue.
      August 12, 2016 4:43 AM MDT
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  • 17261
    Atheism isn't an overall conceptualisation for non-believers... Non-believers is such overall conceptualisation, and atheism is one of the types among others.

    It might help you simplifying it like you do, and you're free to do so. It doesn't make it more right though. Atheism is nothing more than a shade of blue, indigo, Sky, Royal or which one you prefer.
      August 12, 2016 4:50 AM MDT
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  • 34293
    No, Atheism is the Blue...the other names non-theist, pantheist, skeptic etc are the shades. Because all of those have in common the disbelief in a god/deity which is the definition of an Atheist.
      August 12, 2016 5:40 AM MDT
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  • 17261

    Wrongly interpreted. That's what makes them being non-believers. Not atheists necessarily.

      August 12, 2016 6:13 AM MDT
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  • The invisible Atheist!

    I think at least part of the reason for the disparity can be found here.

    http://www.pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/

      August 12, 2016 6:16 AM MDT
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  • 386
      August 12, 2016 8:19 AM MDT
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  • People who don't wish to identify as atheist.

    Many in the atheist community don't just assert that theism is false. They believe it is toxic to the culture and should be actively opposed.

    Some might disbelieve, but stop short of asserting that others shouldn't believe either and therefore not wish to associate themselves with those that do.

      August 12, 2016 9:50 AM MDT
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  • 17261
    Nope, given we talk about believing in a religious context here, it's non-believers and there will be different types. Look up my reply to the OP.
      August 12, 2016 10:28 AM MDT
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  • 386
      August 12, 2016 10:33 AM MDT
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