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31j20b3

(40 posts)

2. I will always be agnostic. IMO, there are many ways to end up with belief but

Fri Jun 19, 2026, 01:29 PM

Friday

absolutely no way to "know."

Not being able to know is sort of central to agnosticism. It doesn't preclude an end point of disbelieving or believing

People can believe as they wish, but if they claim certainty of knowing, they need extraordinary evidence of which I think there is pretty much none that can't be dismissed as more belief than proof of existance or not

I think recent productions by AI that argue for "knowing" god exisits are proof of cultural pollution of the data base that produces such hallucination

And I think a just God that I would want to believe in would not punish me for saying because of my poor observational position I can't know with certainty, while yet having a desire that Her non-existance is my own delusion.

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Highlight:

I teach religious studies. Vance's book on his conversion is one of the worst things I've read. [View all] Jilly_in_VA Friday OP

I was at a Barnes and Noble this week and they have a table display with his books kimbutgar Friday #1

Just like the Melanoma book. Crowman2009 Friday #20

I will always be agnostic. IMO, there are many ways to end up with belief but 31j20b3 Friday #2

I consider myself a content questioning agnostic... 3catwoman3 Friday #14

Very wise comment Catwoman... wcmagumba 15 hrs ago #28

We have several Buddhists in our little congregation, a lot of... 3catwoman3 14 hrs ago #30

I find the Wiccan and other Earth centered traditions (Native American and others) very compelling... wcmagumba 14 hrs ago #31

I remember quite clearly, even as young as about 8... 3catwoman3 13 hrs ago #32

Thanks for the link, I might do that...my nearest UU Congregation is 30 miles one way and I don't trust my car... wcmagumba 13 hrs ago #34

Welcome to our DU family. niyad Yesterday #22

I find Vance's conversion as hollow as the one taken no_hypocrisy Friday #3

That is an absolute winner! Trumpdumper Friday #13

I'm a believer and always have been Jilly_in_VA Friday #4

I got the identical impression of him. DFW Friday #18

I thought Hillbilly Elegy was awful. Alice B. Friday #5

I felt the same Raven123 Friday #15

100% that. And the old Welfare Queen tropes. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Alice B. Friday #21

The book club in this smallish Texas town had fierce competition to see who would get the book next. (No one was willing efhmc 17 hrs ago #23

I was in grad school when I read it; got it through my university's library. Alice B. 13 hrs ago #33

It doesn't matter what's in the book LogDog75 Friday #6

I wonder if going from Evangelical to atheist to Catholic karynnj Friday #10

Good point - this gambit could easily backfire and alienate both groups (one hopes!). TheRickles Friday #17

The conservative playbook.... SergeStorms Friday #19

Given that the NYT best-sellers list is pretty easily GenThePerservering 11 hrs ago #36

This made me laugh😀😂 malaise Friday #7

Vance is not either a "hillbilly" promise first book, nor is he a "Christian" by this book ashredux Friday #8

Vance's conversion from evangelical to atheist is probably the only genuine religious stance he has taken that we know ToxMarz Friday #9

Why Roman Catholic? There's credible sources say he was recruited by Opus Dei. nt Hekate 13 hrs ago #35

Vance is fake. yardwork Friday #11

I'd like to throw JD Vance across the room and into the trash. Mr. Evil Friday #12

Either he is still an atheist edhopper Friday #16

Probably changed his beliefs as many times as he's changed his name. miyazaki 17 hrs ago #24

Best description ovf him yet! Jilly_in_VA 15 hrs ago #25

This prick is as religious as my toilet seat. PCIntern 15 hrs ago #26

I was reading that Americans are more likely to change religions than political parties Walleye 15 hrs ago #27

I would say also that Americans seem to confuse GenThePerservering 11 hrs ago #37

;-{) ASPIRATIONS Goonch 15 hrs ago #29