I know that agnosticism is technically a belief that the existence of god can be neither proved nor disproved and that atheism is a belief that god does not exist, but wouldn't someone who identifies himself an agnostic not believe in god and therefore really be an atheist?
2006-07-10 15:44:33 · 12 answers · asked by nickname 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The fact that some agnostics are searching puts them on the right path therefore they are not faking the funk like some atheists are. There's definitely a difference.
2006-07-10 15:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by Pashur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agnostics see no clear evidence that God exists.
Atheists are certain God does NOT exist.
Agnostics are the more nuanced and honest of the two, for an atheist can not "know" that God does not exist. An atheist can only truly say that he has not had an experience of God - but an atheist goes beyond that and makes claims about all of reality.
A normal man, without God's intervention, is an agnostic. Long live agnostics.
2006-07-11 00:34:10 · answer #2 · answered by robabard 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they aren't really the same thing. Agnostics don't see any evidence one way or another so they are more fence sitters, not going to side with either school, while atheists are firmly convinced that there is no God or any other outside supernatural force and there ain't gonna be convincing them otherwise. Agnostics don't not believe in God, they just are questioning, while atheists are totally convinced that there is no God. So they are different.
2006-07-10 23:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by Abriel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are different. You're wrong about the definition of atheism. Atheism is not a belief, it's a disbelief. There's a difference between believing god doesn't exist and not believing god does exist. That's a small but important detail.
2006-07-10 22:46:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define it this way...agnostics don't believe in organized religion. Atheists don't believe in God.
I'm an Agnostic. I'm not necessarily an Atheist. I may believe in a "higher power" (by whatever name you prefer), however, since religion offers no proof, I'm therefore unsupportive of religions.
However, if I'm an Atheist...I'm likely Agnostic as well..as I do not believe in God, and therefore would never believe in a religion either.
2006-07-10 22:52:49 · answer #5 · answered by Kaia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that agnostics don't believe in the concept of formalized religion but can / will still maintain some form of spirituality while atheists reject religion and the concept of a God.
2006-07-10 23:06:22 · answer #6 · answered by neola 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretend there is a sealed box in front of you. Religions and atheists claim to know the contents of the box. Agnostics refuse to guess.
2006-07-10 22:47:12 · answer #7 · answered by nat3dd 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as an agnostic who does not believe in God. Such a person is an atheist.
2006-07-10 22:48:04 · answer #8 · answered by bikerchickjill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it is. Athiests, like religious, have taken a stand. Most "agnostics" that I have met, seem to be unwilling to get in the game, and decide on the issue. It appears to me that they seem to be folks who will not take a stand on any issue.
2006-07-10 22:51:56 · answer #9 · answered by electricpole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not the same.
Atheists don't believe in God.
Agnostics don't know what they believe but don't actually rule out the possibilities.
2006-07-10 22:48:46 · answer #10 · answered by lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋