# Do some people NEED faith? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 9, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810 "2013-08-09T15:49:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/161 "2013-08-30T22:06:52Z")
> [@simster](#): > > - makes people sound like ‘self important’ asses when they continue to spout things that ‘sound impressive’ but have already accepted words/meanings/phrases to describe it. > > Not that “atheologist” sounds impressive - it actually sounds quite idiotic. Dial it back. Do not state or imply that your opponent is “self important,” or “an ass.” [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/162 "2013-08-30T23:01:38Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Dial it back. > > Do not state or imply that your opponent is “self important,” or “an ass.” > > [/Moderating] No problem here, tom. Believe me, I’ve been called worse before 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/163 "2013-08-30T23:04:13Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > “neologism” > A newly invented word or phrase > The act of inventing a word or phrase It’s a hard row to hoe you’ve chosen. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/164 "2013-08-30T23:21:12Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Dial it back. > > Do not state or imply that your opponent is “self important,” or “an ass.” > > [/Moderating] apologies - it was meant as part of the discussion, not as a statement directed toward the poster. ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/165 "2013-08-30T23:25:19Z")
[quote=“simster, post:160, topic:665810”] Doesnt matter if it suits me - why ‘create’ a word when there are already words available that describe what you mean - Deist as an example - secondly - the word you are trying to create ‘atheoligans’ breaks the ‘rules’ that are already established for adding ‘a’ to the beginning of a word example …In essence - you can describe exactly what you believe without having to try and ‘craft’ words that end up creating more questions than answers - and even worse, don’t describe accurately what you have described. Previously from me: > [@](#): > > I’m more [as much, ed] a Taoist than [as] a Deist. Taoists certainly are not Deists. The Tao that can be named is not the real Tao. I accept God as Tao and Tao as God. And I am comfortable with both. With that in mind, tell me what I am in one word. > [@](#): > > just because “atheism” has been conflated does not mean you need to further conflate words ‘just because’. That’s exactly why I do it. Although I would characterize it a deconflation. My spell checker thinks this is a neolgism. 😉 Aloha ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/166 "2013-08-31T02:11:32Z")
[quote=“jsutter, post:165, topic:665810”] > [@simster](#): > > Taoists certainly are not Deists. The Tao that can be named is not the real Tao. > I accept God as Tao and Tao as God. And I am comfortable with both. With that in mind, tell me what I am in one word. You are a deist - you believe that God exists, you reject ‘revealed’ religion - it really is that simple - you define your god in the form of the Tao (whatever that means for you). So - you can be both a ‘Taoist’ and a ‘Deist’ - and no one would have to have this confusing conversation over what a ‘atheologian’ is. We could debate, perhaps, whether or not these two beliefs are compatible or at odds. Had you chosen to describe your self as ‘anti-theologian’ - we wouldn’t be having this conversation either - as again - it would make sense without having to question what you ‘really mean’, even if it is a ‘cobbled together’ word. But - here we go - you’re not _really_ anti-theologian, are you? Since [Taoism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism)is defined as a ‘religion’ AND it relies on the study of something that has been ‘revealed’ (Tao te ching) and acceptance of its ideas and/or philosophies. What you are, based on that - is “Anti-Christian” or “Anti-Western-Religion” or “Anti-abrahamic-type-religion” which relies on the “Bible” or similar along with the structure of those religions. So - sure - make up all the words you want - but in a forum such as this - it would be better if you use well accepted terms that are valid so that we can have a meaningful conversation/debate. ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/167 "2013-08-31T03:36:01Z")
[quote=“simster, post:166, topic:665810”] > [@jsutter](#): > > You are a deist - you believe that God exists, you reject ‘revealed’ religion - it really is that simple - you define your god in the form of the Tao (whatever that means for you). > > So - you can be both a ‘Taoist’ and a ‘Deist’ - and no one would have to have this confusing conversation over what a ‘atheologian’ is. We could debate, perhaps, whether or not these two beliefs are compatible or at odds. > > Had you chosen to describe your self as ‘anti-theologian’ - we wouldn’t be having this conversation either - as again - it would make sense without having to question what you ‘really mean’, even if it is a ‘cobbled together’ word. > > But - here we go - you’re not _really_ anti-theologian, are you? Since [Taoism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism)is defined as a ‘religion’ AND it relies on the study of something that has been ‘revealed’ (Tao te ching) and acceptance of its ideas and/or philosophies. > > What you are, based on that - is “Anti-Christian” or “Anti-Western-Religion” or “Anti-abrahamic-type-religion” which relies on the “Bible” or similar along with the structure of those religions. > > So - sure - make up all the words you want - but in a forum such as this - it would be better if you use well accepted terms that are valid so that we can have a meaningful conversation/debate. Whatever you say, Sir, but Question Authority is my motto. And if may observe, you have little appreciation for nuance and a near pathological fear of thinking outside the box, as they say. Aloha ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/168 "2013-08-31T03:48:36Z")
[quote=“jsutter, post:167, topic:665810”] > [@simster](#): > > Whatever you say, Sir, but Question Authority is my motto. And if may observe, you have little appreciation for nuance and a near pathological fear of thinking outside the box, as they say. > > Aloha You would be wrong on both counts - but in a ‘public forum’ devoted to debating topics, with folks from all kinds of backgrounds - avoiding ‘made up words’ that only have a meaning ‘to you’ is going to help avoid these kinds of derailments. My part in this derailment is over - enjoy your journey. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/169 "2013-08-31T04:03:25Z")
> [@jsutter](#): > > And if may observe, you have little appreciation for nuance and a near pathological fear of thinking outside the box, as they say. You may not. The comment is insulting, and you can’t insult other people in this forum. So please don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![jsutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810/170 "2013-08-31T04:08:42Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You may not. The comment is insulting, and you can’t insult other people in this forum. So please don’t do it again. Sorry. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-need-faith/665810.md?page=8)