Cratylus
FLAWLESS
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@The Oi
Now with respect to prayer, for me, as a somewhat weak agnostic; is more about introspection, meditation, and personal reflection rather than seeking a two-way conversation with an anthropomorphic deity.
THIS is the correct answer.
I make no bones about the fact that I am an atheist (actually, it would be more accurate to describe me as a theological noncognitivist). I don't believe God exists, but I certainly don't discount the possibility that he/it does. By the way, a theological noncognitivist is a person who holds that religious language is not cognitively meaningful. In other words, since the concepts that are described by religious language are not verifiable, or at the very least falsifiable in principle, they are essentially devoid of meaning. Moreover, the "definitions" of God include only negatively defined or relational attributes, and as such, don't really say anything about God. Ultimately a theological noncognitivist is somebody who awaits a consistent, coherent definition of the word "God" (or of any other metaphysical utterance purported to be discussable) before he is able to engage in arguments for or against God's existence.
Nonetheless, I have no quarrels with somebody who engages in meditative prayer. My issue is with the individual who believes in the efficacy of intercessory prayer. To believe that the Prime Mover is waiting on your beck and call to alter the ultimate path of the universe based on your wishes is the definition of sheer madness.