This is a pretty interesting thread. I consider myself spiritual, but not religious. I find that religion breads zealotry and intolerance, often without intent. I believe that it's very possible there is an afterlife, or some spiritual existence outside of our mortal coil. In fact, I find it appalling that any intelligent, thinking person could be a gnostic atheist. If science is your basis of belief, then this is further ridiculous.
Ponder this... science (even hard science) is ever changing. Laws of physics are bent or broken. Most scientists consider it good science to hold theory over law, as theories are designed to be built upon. I believe a good scientist believes that what is proven is ONLY proven to the best of our current ability, and is equally likely to be disproven later. This applies to god, God, angels, demons, spirits, ghosts, yeti, et cetera. I'm pretty much agnostic with life in general. What I see may or may not really exist, as may something I do not. I can only live my life in accord with what I see fit.
Maybe I am an agnostic agnostic. I consider myself a realist... or preferably EXTREMELY pragmatic. If God, in the Abrahimic version, exists... it is equally likely that other deity do as well. Frankly, I believe the bible claims, as I read it, that other gods DO exist beside God, Allah, whatever. Consider this:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,
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What purpose would an omnipotent, omniscient being have for jealousy if none were his equal?
At any rate, just my 2¢