Religion

Mariana

(15,569 posts)

16. What is a universal spirit, Gil?

Mon Dec 31, 2018, 10:15 PM

Dec 2018

The respondents were asked if they believe in God or a universal spirit. "Universal spirit" is left undefined, so it can mean literally anything other than god. Therefore, someone can be absolutely certain about the existence of a universal spirit (however they may define it), answer this question yes, and be an atheist. There is no conflict here.

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In Reality, Most People Who Say They Are Affiliated with Some Religion [View all] MineralMan Dec 2018 OP

Religion and Belief in a Higher Power violetpastille Dec 2018 #1

I say I was raised catholic kimbutgar Dec 2018 #2

I love the Sermon on the Mount but.. violetpastille Dec 2018 #3

The definition of theist is very narrow, too. Mariana Dec 2018 #6

A nice observation. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #14

Mindreading in evidence? guillaumeb Dec 2018 #4

That is an interesting attempt at framing his post Lordquinton Dec 2018 #5

Do not confuse "many" with the small number of non-theists guillaumeb Dec 2018 #10

"I understand the need to believe that a position is the correct one..." Lordquinton Dec 2018 #21

Define "many". guillaumeb Dec 2018 #23

"Many" means a significant portion. MineralMan Jan 2019 #46

One hopes that Lord Quinton will read this reply. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #69

Which "One" hopes that? MineralMan Jan 2019 #73

I understand "many" to mean... NeoGreen Jan 2019 #74

Right. It doesn't mean most at all. MineralMan Jan 2019 #77

define alternate or parallel universe Lordquinton Jan 2019 #86

Yours? guillaumeb Jan 2019 #87

You stated that evidence for your creator might be found in one Lordquinton Jan 2019 #88

Google the term. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #89

Then post what you found Lordquinton Jan 2019 #90

Do you disagree with the opinions given in the OP, Gil? nt. Mariana Dec 2018 #7

I do. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #11

That's kinda rich coming from someone who defines what atheists are and what they believe Major Nikon Jan 2019 #64

Argue with the surveys that suggest that your position is incorrect. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #72

For example, here's info on such a survey: MineralMan Jan 2019 #80

Name one, much less more than one Major Nikon Jan 2019 #81

Observation and analysis MineralMan Dec 2018 #8

More framing than anything. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #12

And framing, after all, is only ok when you do it Lordquinton Dec 2018 #22

Only I can create Commandments. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #24

Anyone can create commandments Major Nikon Jan 2019 #82

Well, thanks for your permission for me to express myself MineralMan Jan 2019 #55

Do you ever respond with anything of substance? MineralMan Dec 2018 #9

I could link to your many replies to theists where you guillaumeb Dec 2018 #13

That is not an answer to my question. MineralMan Jan 2019 #57

Yes, it is. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #70

LOL! Once again, you punt. MineralMan Jan 2019 #75

Technically, it is an answer... NeoGreen Jan 2019 #76

My original question had to do with substance. MineralMan Jan 2019 #79

This message was self-deleted by its author LongtimeAZDem Jan 2019 #78

Speaking of nominalists, guillaumeb Dec 2018 #15

What is a universal spirit, Gil? Mariana Dec 2018 #16

Some here disagreed with you on this. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #18

It could mean deity, but it doesn't have to mean that. Mariana Dec 2018 #19

True, guillaumeb Dec 2018 #20

Congratulations, Gil. Mariana Jan 2019 #25

Perhaps you should also award one to the original poster, guillaumeb Jan 2019 #68

Oh, just to review: Mariana Dec 2018 #17

Again? Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #41

I wouldn't disagree with saying that some atheists are nominal atheists. MineralMan Jan 2019 #47

In reality, all religion is personal Cary Jan 2019 #26

I got the message. violetpastille Jan 2019 #27

Why would his claim as to what you believe sting even a little? Cary Jan 2019 #29

Good question! violetpastille Jan 2019 #32

My husband's parents were nominal Christians. Mariana Jan 2019 #35

Meet me here violetpastille Jan 2019 #36

I don't know if she believed in God. Mariana Jan 2019 #39

I violetpastille Jan 2019 #40

If you do not adhere to the tenets of Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #42

I don't know. Are you? Mariana Jan 2019 #63

You don't know. violetpastille Jan 2019 #84

Why are you avoiding the question? Lordquinton Jan 2019 #91

Why would an all powerful entity care if you prayed? Cary Jan 2019 #51

You might want to reread the OP - it wasn't about anyone's faith. Mariana Jan 2019 #61

If mineralman is so formidable why would he need you to defend him? Cary Jan 2019 #65

I don't need anyone to defend me. I appreciate positive comments, MineralMan Jan 2019 #67

The veracity of people's religion gets judged all the time on DU. Mariana Jan 2019 #28

I would say this: Cary Jan 2019 #30

I don't understand what you mean. Mariana Jan 2019 #31

It's not cool to use your theism as a cudgel. violetpastille Jan 2019 #34

He's using words to express his opinion in this group Mariana Jan 2019 #37

I'm referencing MM violetpastille Jan 2019 #38

Yes, I did write that. I also wrote that people should not bludgeon MineralMan Jan 2019 #71

Odd Cary Jan 2019 #45

Which words were those, and how did you affirm them? Mariana Jan 2019 #62

No I have lost my patience Cary Jan 2019 #66

If you stand by those words Lordquinton Jan 2019 #92

Exactly Cary Jan 2019 #43

Does not hold up Lordquinton Jan 2019 #93

I don't think violetpastille Jan 2019 #33

Facts do not change Cary Jan 2019 #44

Smartphones are inanimate. They are neither good nor bad. MineralMan Jan 2019 #58

Religion is a technology violetpastille Jan 2019 #83

Hmm..I'm not seeing that metaphor really. MineralMan Jan 2019 #85

It's not a judgment, negative or positive. It is a fact. MineralMan Jan 2019 #48

I didn't say you criticized Cary Jan 2019 #53

The wonderful thing about this Group on DU is that MineralMan Jan 2019 #54

Consider how few people can get the rules for Monopoly right. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #49

What percentage of DUers have read the TOS? MineralMan Jan 2019 #50

I do; I also read EULAs. I have a problem. But, your point is well taken. LongtimeAZDem Jan 2019 #56

Exactly. Christianity became dominant because it is a convenient MineralMan Jan 2019 #59

Very good. I'm one of them. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #52

You have plenty of company! MineralMan Jan 2019 #60