2006-09-07 16:33:40 · 25 answers · asked by ginarene71 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh damn. This sucks.
2006-09-07 16:43:01 · update #1
Brave enough to consider several possibilities, but too afraid to let go of any.
2006-09-07 16:38:51 · answer #1 · answered by sheeple_rancher 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Agnosticism is the philosophical view that the value of certain claims as truth—particularly theological claims regarding the existence of God, gods, or deities—are unknown, inherently unknowable, or incoherent, and therefore, irrelevant to life. The term and the related agnostic were coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869, and are also used to describe those who are unconvinced or noncommittal about the existence of deities as well as other matters of religion. The word agnostic comes from the Greek a (without) and gnosis (knowledge). Agnosticism is not to be confused with a view specifically opposing the doctrine of gnosis and Gnosticism—these are religious concepts that are not generally related to agnosticism.
Agnostics may claim that it is not possible to have absolute or certain spiritual knowledge or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no such knowledge. Agnosticism in both cases involves some form of skepticism towards religious statements. Some claim that there is nothing distinctive in being an agnostic because even theists do not claim to know God exists, only to believe it, and many even agree there is room for doubt; and atheists in the broader sense do not claim to know there is no God, only not to believe in one.
2006-09-07 23:40:19 · answer #2 · answered by Nick H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An agnostic doesn't know if there is a God. Furthermore she might believe that is is not even knowable if there is a God.
I'm an atheist with respect to the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). But if you ignore the Bible, and just consider whether there might be a supernatural creator of the universe, then I have to admit I am agnostic. I don't know, and I suspect it isn't knowable. All the evidence available to me makes me think that if there is a God, then it decided to not make it possible to observe evidence of her except through natural laws (i.e. the laws of physics).
2006-09-07 23:41:37 · answer #3 · answered by Jim L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To simply define Agnostic. Means "Without knowledge."
You're either a theist or an atheist. Agnostic has no knowledge of either side. It's a fence sitter on the issue until research is completed from the individual of both sides.
2006-09-07 23:39:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agnostic literally means "without knowledge."
To me the word has no exclusive meaning though in reference to god.. because no one has knowledge of god and if a word describes everyone on the planet then it is a pretty much meaningless term.
You can either be an Agnostic Atheist(doesn't know, but doesn't believe there is a god) or an Agnostic Theist(doesn't know, but thinks there is a god).
"Agnostic, n. A person who feels superior to atheists by merit of his ignorance of the rules of logic and evidence." [Chaz Bufe, The American Heretic's Dictionary]
2006-09-07 23:39:59 · answer #5 · answered by AiW 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the degree some agnostics believe that god exist BUT that they do not in any way need to worship it and think it doesn't care if it is worshiped or not. Others think there might and might not be a god and that to try not to think about it too much.
2006-09-07 23:35:41 · answer #6 · answered by Guywiththehir 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well my Father described it like this.... an atheist is some one that knows there is no God. An Agnostic is some one that isn't sure enough to discount the existence of any body's God.
2006-09-07 23:42:12 · answer #7 · answered by rummy714 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An agnostic is someone who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God or who is skeptical about the existence of God but doesn't profess true atheism.
2006-09-07 23:37:05 · answer #8 · answered by ch35t3rmohr 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To the question "Does God Exist?" an agnostic would answer, "I don't know, I'm going to wait and see."
2006-09-07 23:42:53 · answer #9 · answered by ethical_atheist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having true wisdom. No one can possibly know if there is a God or not. Knowing the existent of ones own ignorance is true wisdom. If you know that you can not or do not know a thing, then say it, what good does it do to make stuff up or accept the beliefs of someone whose beliefs were not first your own.
2006-09-07 23:44:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ag·nos·tic
NOUN:
One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
ADJECTIVE:
Relating to or being an agnostic.
Doubtful or noncommittal:
2006-09-07 23:41:12 · answer #11 · answered by melissa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋