Where are you on the Theism to Atheism scale?

Often when debates about theism, agnosticism or atheism erupt on Fluther, it becomes clear that there is a great deal of confusion regarding the meanings of the labels applied. So it seemed worthwhile to develop some sort of clear scale where we can declare our position along a probability continuum from the strong theist who asserts the probability of God’s existence is 100% to the strong atheist who places that probability at 0%. Once declared here, in future debates we can avoid misunderstanding and label confusion by pointing to our answer to this question.

I think that most of us would agree that, at this time, science is not equipped to falsify or affirm the existence of a supreme creator. But that does not mean that, science, logic and reason are incapable of suggesting to us a rough probability that such a being exists. Here is a scale Richard Dawkins proposed in his book, The God Delusion, which breaks that probability into 7 levels of confidence. The question is which best describes you.

“1.   Strong theist. 100 per cent probability of God. In the words of C. G. Jung, ‘I do not believe, I know.’ ”

“2.   Very high probability but short of 100 per cent. De facto theist. ‘I cannot know for certain, but I strongly believe in God and live my life on the assumption that he is there.’ ”

“3.   Higher than 50 per cent but not very high. Technically agnostic but leaning toward theism. ‘I am very uncertain but I am inclined to believe in God.’ ”

“4.   Exactly 50 per cent. Completely impartial agnostic. ‘God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.’ ”

“5.   Lower than 50 per cent but not very low. Technically agnostic but leaning towards atheism. ‘I don’t know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.’ ”

“6.   Very low probability, but short of zero. De facto atheist. ‘I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life on the assumption that he is not there.’ ”

“7.   Strong atheist. ‘I know there is no God with the same conviction as Jung “knows” there is one.’ ”

I should add that there are two kinds of agnosticism, and only one of those belongs at position 4 on the above scale. The other lies nowhere on it, but is in a category unto itself. At position 4, we would find what we might dub the Temporary Agnosticism in Practice, or TAP. This is someone who says, ‘I don’t know whether there is or isn’t a God. I think the probability is about 50/50. And I will adjust my views as evidence persuades me.’ In contrast to that, there is also Permanent Agnosticism in Principle. The PAP would say, ‘I know that it is impossible to know whether there is or isn’t a God, so probabilities cannot be applied to the question. It is now and always will remain unknowable.’ There aren’t many of the PAP sort of agnostics, but if you happen to be one, please exempt yourself from any rating on our seven point scale and declare that, for you, discussing probabilities is nonsensical.