Re. “Everyone Goes to Heaven”
Re. “Everyone Goes to Heaven“: I find it incredibly interesting to see that only 73% of self-described Atheists believe there is no God. The other part is either sure there is a God or universal spirit, are fairly sure about it, or are not convinced one way or another. The last time I checked, the last group qualifies as “agnostic.”
What’s also interesting is that there are quite some agnostics who are certain there is a God. As most will know, agnosticism teaches that we don’t know whether there’s a God or not. That’s agnosticism. If you, then, are sure there is a God, you’re not an Agnostic.
These people are either dumb, or very confused. There’s simply no way for an atheist to say “sure, there’s a God!” Or even to say “perhaps.” That’s not a possibility (hence the term atheist).
When you look at the numbers you will also see that a small part of Muslims, for instance, say that they do not believe in a God or universal spirit (very, very small part). The reason for that is as follows: many people who have been born in a Muslim household, who have Muslim parents, and grandparents, etc. continue to call themselves ‘Muslim,’ even though they may have lost their faith and become atheists in reality. Like it’s more than religion; but something you inherit.
I know quite a few Catholics that call themselves "cultural Catholics" basically believe in helping poor, against war, pro life (although sometimes not), but don’t believe in God.
I think that survey shows that a lot of people aren’t really sure about their faith (or lack there of). Also seems that people have a desire to get along with other religions to the point that people are ok with the possibility that they aren’t right and the other is wrong. Or that everyone is right just in different ways.
Whether all of that is good or not is up for debate.
Correct Bob. Point is; if you think there is a God, you can’t call yourself an Atheist.
I wouldn’t go as far as calling them dumb. From other theories I’ve seen on this study, it seems that some people may not have understood the question.
Even then, it’s not completely the researchers’ fault. Under some variations of it, atheism and agnosticism are so close it’s ridiculous.
"Or even to say “perhaps.” That’s not a possibility (hence the term atheist)."
If I am an atheist I am not allowed to believe I might be wrong? I can believe strongly that there is no god, but allow for error in my beliefs and allow for updating of those beliefs. I don’t believe in the Easter Bunny, but I will allow others to prove me wrong if they so desire and can do so.