what is the difference between an Atheist and an Agnostic?

Question

I have an idea but just wondering, I am baptist and I really am trying to educate myself on other beliefs

Answer 1

Atheists do not believe in the existence of god; agnostics believe that the question of whether there is a god or not is unknowable -- although some agnostics don't so much believe that it's unknowable as that they, themselves, do not know.

As an atheist, I say to the agnostics: the burden of proof is on the theists (those who believe in god).

(if you want to read up, there's a movement to use the word 'brights' as a noun to substitute for 'atheist' -- you could do some we research and read all about it -- also, do searches for 'skeptics' or 'religious skeptics')

Answer 2

Theology= the study of religion.
Religion=a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
Atheist= a person without religion.

At least that's a straight definition. Atheists can be religious, but do not subscribe to the idea that some invisible deity controls their destiny. They instead choose to make their own decisions based on logic, personal experience and free will.

For example, if someone broke into your house and threatened your family, what would you do? A strictly religious person might give in and be killed because it's "God's will." Another might defend their family, but feel guilty for harming the intruder and ask for "forgiveness" later. An Atheist decides what is morally proper for the situation and can defend their family to the death without "burning in Hell forever" for killing in selfe defense.

Agnostics are similar to Atheists, and I think that there are a lot of self-proclaimed Atheists that are, in fact, Agnostic. Let's say that you can't buy the fact that all of our progress and technology as human beings is worthless in the big scheme of things, but also can't stomach the idea that your destiny is controlled by an "invisible man" in the sky. In short, Agnostics think there might be something bigger than our collective consciousness, but can't accept that it's "God."

There are, in fact, many religions that don't believe in God. Wiccans believe in the spirituality of nature and that we are all part of the Earth, whereas Buddhists believe that everything is created from the same energy and that we are all one. In both cases, the "afterlife" simply means becoming part of the whole again, waiting to return as an individual.

Thus the Joke:

A Buddhist walks up to a hotdog vendor on the street and says, "Make me one with everything!"

Answer 3

Both terms, beginning with "a-", indicate the absence of something.

Atheism: a-theism, or the absence of theism, encompasses both people who believe there is no divine power, and people who make no claim as to whether or not a god even exists.

Agnosticism: a-gnostic, or the absence of knowledge (gnosis is the greek root from where we get knowledge) asserts that there is no ability to determine whether or not there is a god, due to lack of knowledge, and, therefore, the search is irrelevant.

Many people today use agnostics to define those people who just don't know. If they don't know and don't care, they're technically atheists because they have made no assertion. If they don't know and say there's no way of knowing, then they're true agnostics.

Since you're a Christian and trying to learn about other faiths, I would recommend the site below. CRI has helped me understand quite a bit about other faiths. They present facts in an intelligent and compassionate manner. Enjoy!

Answer 4

An atheist believes that there is no God.

An agnostic believes that we do not know whether or not there is a God, and that the nature of God is unknowable - no evidence.

From my personal experience, atheism tends to be emotional, while agnosticism tends to be hyper-intellectual. So, the atheist is bitter, and the agnostic is the scientific-philosopher-type. An atheist might say "My wife died, and there was no God who helped her. Therefore, God doesn't exist", but an agnostic might say "Religion is nothing more than a combination of psychological defense mechanisms that enable people to feel justified in defining reality in terms of themselves" (I've heard this phrase before).

Answer 5

An Atheist believes that God/Gods do not exist.

An Agnostic believes that there is no way to know for sure if God does or doesn't exist. It isn't a wishy washy position, but it's fact that no one person can say for sure that there is evidence God exists or God doesn't exist.

Although personally I'd put the possibility of every God/Goddess in existence up there. Athena was a cool one.

EDIT: Definitly I am anti-religion though and have a personal distaste for all religions except Buddhism.

Answer 6

Geez, people! An Agnostic is a person who admits that the question of whether there is a god or not is unknowable without faith. And faith is not enough for an Agnostic...when there is evidence either way...then an Agnostic can make an intelligent decision as to whether there is a god or not...It's called reserving judgement until all the evidence is in...

Answer 7

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong anyone but...

Atheists generally reject the idea of God altogether and believe that religions are simply there to satisfy the masses and to label people.

Agnostics might believe in a higher being, though not necessarily the Christian God. However, the TEXTBOOK definition of an agnostic is one who believes that in order for there to be a God, God's existence must be proved. In light of the fact that they believe nothing is proof of God's existence, it is another way to reject the existence of God. This may or may not be the viewpoint of many agnostics. I have met some that believe that there is a higher power and even call it God, though they do not ascribe to a certain religion such as Christianity or Judaism.

Answer 8

In my view , an atheist belives there is no god and thinks all religions are wrong. An agnostic thinks all religions are "right" to a degree. Such that , for example , may belive prostantism is not compleatly correct , but thinks its a fine guide to life. An owners manual , so to speak! Or maybe hinduism, makes a little more of an exceptable explanation. None is right and none is wrong!

Answer 9

Agnostics feel that neither side has convincingly succeeded at proving the existence or non existence of god. They also feel that the existence of god can never be proven. Perhaps because our human minds can never truly understand what god is. So they can go one way or the other. An atheist just flat out does not believe in god.

Answer 10

Atheists believe the non-existence of God can be proven. Agnostics believe it can't be proven whether or not God exists.

That is an awesome question. I wish more people would ask questions out of pure wanting to know, without trying to flame people.