Is agnosticism the biggest case of indecisiveness ever, or just a logical conclusion?

Question

In your opinion

Answer 1

i think it's pretty logical because there's no way to know for sure. It's just very reasonable to me that there is not enough evidence here for us humans to make a definite conclusion.

Answer 2

I am an agnostic and the answer most definitely is indecisiveness. I was raised a Baptist, and I was taught that was the only game in town. By the time I was 15 I was convinced that most (maybe all) of the preachers I was listening to didn't have a clue what they were talking about. OK, maybe its just Baptist preachers--wrong--its all of them.
For years I went to any and all kinds of services--no luck. I have read many different bibles--not completely because I won't live long enough to do that.
I have had several different translations on my computer. That helped speed up my decision that no one knows. Well, maybe indecisive isn't the right word after all because I have decided that nobody knows.
The above is my answer. I'm just throwing in this part for free, so to speak.
I even looked into several eastern religions--I didn't agree with them either.
I did find something though. Its the basis for some of the eastern and middle-eastern religions, but it is basically just a life philosophy.
I won't go into it any further than that--if you're interested figure it out for yourself. I did.

Answer 3

I think it's a logical conclusion in the sense that there are no absurd self-contradictions in it, like those that exist in atheism. That doesn't mean I think agnosticism is correct- just that it isn't ridiculous. There's never anything illogical about asserting that you simply don't know the answer to a question. On the other hand, if you're the type of agnostic who claims that it's impossible to ever know the answer to whether God exists or not, then that's another matter. That's just as illogical as atheism, because you're making an unsupported assertion. I do think there's an element of laziness in it, if you don't even try to find the answer. I've never been able to understand people who could be content to live in ignorance- especially about such a major question as that (I think anybody would admit it's a pretty major question). I can understand the not knowing, but lack of interest astonishes me.

Answer 4

It's the most logical conclusion. If you accept most organized religions you are pretty much saying that the majority of the rest of the world is damned for believing something else. This includes all the selfless and genuinely good people who are not of your faith. If this really is true I don't want any part of that religion anyway and would rather go to hell.

Luckily, in my opinion, pretty much all organized religions are man-made constructs so I am not that worried. That leaves me with knowing that I don't know the answer, yet feeling that there is some sort of force out there. Agnosticism frees me to say I believe in God (in some form) but am willing to discover and define my own relationship with him....

If you believe in God it is really the only logical conclusion....

Answer 5

it is absolutely the most logical conclusion. One can never ever prove the existence of God...so how can you say there is a god? Atheists are the same way...you can't ever disprove the existence of god...so why are you so sure there isn't? If you can't prove either extreme, you have to go the agnostic route. Now I know some people define agnosticism as saying there is something there but we can't know what it is so why try...I don't think this is right. Like Plato, who said the only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing, the only wise answer to whether or not there is a god is to say "I don't know."

Answer 6

Well, to be a true agnostic you do have to say, "I don't know, and I think that you don't know either." So, if we put it in perspective, an argument requires that you take a side contrary to the opposition, state your reasons for such, including those based on facts and/or strongly held beliefs to uphold your position.

Agnosticism can do neither. Therefore I am in agreement with all who take the position that Agnosticism is "the biggest case of indecisiveness ever."

Answer 7

an agnostic simply believes in what can be proven... indecisive? Hardly. Call it hedging ones bet, if you need call it anything more than an honest, non superstitious opinion or attitude on a subject which IS about the most debatable and controversial question baffling people for centuries. People who say, "It's so, cuz da bible toad me so." are non thinkers... made to not think by the very source they cite as the only truth. Myself, I abide by Aesop's Fables... not quite as humorous as the bible, but much more worthy of useful quotation.

By the way, J.T., i do believe it's time for a new dictionary or a visit to your local library... the state of being agnostic in no way equates with ignorance. In fact, quite the contrary... and definitely is used only in context to the natural question that should be in the mind of any thinking person. Is there "a god"? You don't KNOW... no one KNOWS... it's a matter of 'FAITH'... a belief in an unknown, unproven concept without proof.

I'd rather give the issue the benefit of doubt, having a mind to do so, and one day perhaps learn the TRUTH; than to say something is so out of absolute ignorance, simply because to consider otherwise is too scary or makes ones brain hurt!

Hey J.T., what do you know of quantum physics or let's just say immunohematology? Nothing?? You're ignorant on these subjects, have no true knowledge?? Are you stoopid?? You use the word 'ignorant' as though it means 'stupid'... another case for my suggestion that you get your hands on a new dictionary, either that or keep your head buried in dogma and out of intelligent discussions or debate. No, i don't think you stupid... only making an attempt to make a point.

Why are the bible-bangers so intent on everyone holding the same concept as they? And, HEY, stop showing so much disrespect for that holiest of holy books by treating it that way! Scream out your fire & brimstone tales and try to implant your own fears and hopes into the minds of the gullible; but try to do so either, more quietly or only in the company of other sheep.

Answer 8

Logical conclusion.

There's no way to know for sure, one way or the other. Anyone who claims to know for sure is fooling himself.

For instance: You could be the biggest, most faithful Christian ever and believe every bit of it on faith... But you still don't know FOR SURE. For all you know, you've chosen the wrong path and are now actively "sinning" against whoever the real "God" is by believing all this bible stuff. You have no idea... You believe its true because someone else told you it was true...

Science hasn't discovered all the answers either, so the only logical approach is a "live your life by your own personal best morals and wait and see..." approach. Hopefully, if there is a God, he'll understand that you're trying to be open to the "right" path, whatever it may be rather than being fooled into following the wrong one...

And, if there isn't a God, then it doesn't matter.

Either way, anyone who tells you they know for sure is lying, either to you or to themselves...

Answer 9

I think that agnosticism is a spiritual form of intellectual honesty and openness. "Agnostic" means 'not knowing', or more correctly, 'there's no way to prove or disprove a belief'. Agnosticism acknowledges that there are no absolutes, and permits spiritual experiences outside the 'box' of religious dogma.

It is a very logical conclusion- fuzzy logic- no black or white. Agnostics are colorful people. We're analog, rather than digital- with many states between extremes.

Answer 10

You say that like there's something wrong with being undecided.

Being undecided does not necessarily mean people aren't searching for answers.
Some are...and they just aren't 'there' yet.

Some aren't...but that's really nobody's business, is it?

Being undecided is better than grabbing some ancient literature and having someone in a gown tell you what it means and how you should live....and believing it without question.
That's the biggest case of indecisiveness ever.

Answer 11

It's a logical conclusion. There is nothing indicisive about it. The fact is, supernatural claims cannot be tested and therefore cannot be verified or proven untrue. In this sense, anyone who is not agnostic (with regards to supernatural claims) is intellectually dishonest. Theism and atheism are answers to the question "Do you believe in a god or gods?" Agnosticism is a necessary component of either point of view, belief or lack of.