Is 'agnostic' a fancy word for 'indifferent'?

Question

That's how it feels for me. I just don't really give a sh.it.

Answer 1

I consider myself a "rabid agnostic" and as such am far from indifferent.

I do not rule out, or rule in the existance of god.

I consider "god" something that is unknown to all people, and unknowable.

It logically follows from that, that all religions are man-made attempts to understand what they cannot. Now, I personally don't have a problem with mankind creating religion to try to understand the world or divinity.

HOWEVER, it is when religions make claims that they cannot back up (e.g., their god is the only true god),
or when they are intolerant (e.g., all non-christians will burn in hell for eternity),
or attack science without evidence and based on a lack of education (see evolution debate),
or refuse to acknowledge that their holy texts were written by men and therefore NOT infallible,
or attempt to use the government to cram their version of religion down other people's throats,

(etc, etc)

THAT is when this agnostic is far from indifferent.

If the dominant world religions could learn some humility and tolerance, then I would not have a problem with them. However, THEY have a problem with me not sharing their beliefs, and therefore I have a right to defend my position.

Answer 2

According to the dictionary an agnostic is: one who asserts the impossibility of any knowledge of God or of ultimate things. The definition of indifferent is: Having a neurtral or unbiased opinion. Having no preference or choice; hence unconcerned; not easily interested or moved. So in one way it could be yes,nut in another your answe would be no, due to the fact that most agnostics that respond here are easily moved and do have an opinion. They may not have a preference or choice but they do have an opinion. ansd that is good as long as peple are not trying to hurt each others feelings and can state their opinions as just that an opinion. This is my opinion and I hope it helps.

Answer 3

Agnosticism-
Any view claiming that knowledge is unobtainable in a given area, whether merely in practice or (and more usually) in principle too. Term invented by Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) in 1869.

In religious matters, agnosticism should be distinguished from atheism (the view that there is no god), though it sometimes includes the view that sentences like 'There is a god' are meaningless rather than true or false.

"An agnostic thinks it impossible to know the truth in matters such as God and the future life with which Christianity and other religions are concerned." -Bertrand Russell

Answer 4

Yes, indifferent or unsure.
The official Merriam-Webster definition:
Main Entry: 1ag·nos·tic
Pronunciation: ag-'näs-tik, &g-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek agnOstos unknown, unknowable, from a- + gnOstos known, from gignOskein to know -- more at KNOW
1 : a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
2 : a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something

Answer 5

That's too bad. Don't give a S_hit in general...or just about there being an all knowing supreme creator of the universe? Either way...Its sad..If I were you..I'd perk up and take notice a little bit. You only get one shot at this. If God thinks you are so important maybe you ought to take His viewpoint and see just how unique an individual you are that He would create such an awesome and splendorable place just to have somewhere to put you. Or not...sup to you! God bless you though..with a heart that finds a way to care. Love in Christ, ~J~ <><

Answer 6

Main Entry: 1ag·nos·tic
Pronunciation: ag-'näs-tik, &g-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek agnOstos unknown, unknowable, from a- + gnOstos known, from gignOskein to know -- more at KNOW
1 : a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
2 : a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something

Answer 7

Agnostic comes from the term Gnostic, which originally meant "Knowledge" but came to mean "Knowledge of God" When it was taken as a name by the Christian Mystics. While Gnostic means the knowledge of God, the prefix "A" gives a negative statement, meaning that they have "No Knowledge of God." Agnostics have no particular faiths in one direction or the other on the existence of God.

Answer 8

An agnostic is kinda sitting on the fence.....for them having no proof of Gods existence but at the same time keeping an open mind that he could.

Answer 9

Agnostic, when describing a person, means that the person is unwilling to commit to the belief in God. It does not mean believe in God, but not a religion...nor does it mean you are indifferent.

Answer 10

Not at all, many agnostics are far more interested in religious *ideas* (not subscribing to a specific religious belief system) and expanding their knowledge of such things in trying to tie down their beliefs than many religious believers I know.