What is the difference between Agnosticism and Athiesim?

Answer 1

Agnostics - meaning "without knowledge" - believe that they simply do not know whether or not there is a god. Atheists - meaning "without a god" - believe that the absence of evidence for the existence of god (and latterly, the growing evidence by scientific explanation for just about every aspect of the world formerly explained as somehow part of God's work) is sufficient for them to conclude that there is no god. One is uncertain, one is certain.

Bertrand Russell made the distinction by observing that we might, if we wish, consider the possibility that there was a Georgian china teapot orbitting the Sun within the orbit of Mercury. It is impossible to determine whether this is so one way or the other, but no-one can prove that there is no such teapot there. One might be agnostic about the presence of the teapot because its non-existence could not be proved. But for all practical reasons, given the absurdity of the proposition that a teapot MIGHT orbit the Sun, it makes more sense to be certain that it does not exist.

This is how atheists feel about God.

Answer 2

Agnosticism, doctrine that the existence of God and other spiritual beings is neither certain nor impossible. The term, derived from agnostikos (Greek for “not knowing”), was introduced into English in the 19th century by the British biologist Thomas Henry Huxley. The agnostic position is distinct from both theism, which affirms the existence of such beings, and atheism, which denies their existence.

Although usually regarded as a form of skepticism, agnosticism is more limited in scope, for it denies the reliability only of metaphysical and theological beliefs rather than of all beliefs. The basis of modern agnosticism lies in the works of the British philosopher David Hume and the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, both of whom pointed out logical fallacies in the traditional arguments for the existence of God and of the soul.

Atheism
I INTRODUCTION

Atheism, the denial of or lack of belief in the existence of a god or gods. The term atheism comes from the Greek prefix a-, meaning “without,” and the Greek word theos, meaning “deity.” The denial of god’s existence is also known as strong, or positive, atheism, whereas the lack of belief in god is known as negative, or weak, atheism. Although atheism is often contrasted with agnosticism—the view that we cannot know whether a deity exists or not and should therefore suspend belief—negative atheism is in fact compatible with agnosticism.

Contributed By:
Michael Martin

Answer 3

As in some languages, the "A" makes a "negative".

Agnosticism --
Gnosticism -- a belief or system of "knowing"
A -- an "unknowing" or "unknowable" or "unknown"

So, agnostic says "it is unknowable" or "I don't know". etc.

Atheism --
Theism -- of or pertain to God or a god or a system with a Deity
A -- the non-existence of a God or gods.

So, the atheist says "there is no god" -- that is his/her statement of belief.


So, an agnostic does not say there is no God; just says "I don't know", or it is "unknowable". So, soe agnostics who search, do find. Like Lew Wallace did.

An atheist is different in that he/she shays "there is no god" ... my mind is made up, don't confuse me with facts.

Answer 4

Weak atheists are stating straightforward disbelief in a proposition-i.e. that God or God's exist. Positive atheists are saying God definitely doesn't exist. Agnostics are saying there is insufficient evidence to decide either way. Weak atheism is the default position.

Answer 5

GOD doesn't believe in athiesim, agnosticism knowns their is a GOD,but don't know where to look.

Answer 6

Atheism is saying "I believe there is no God." Agnosticism, meanwhile, is simply saying "I don't know if God exists." Since the existence of God can't be proved or disproved, "atheism" is really a species of theism, a "belief" for which one cannot have any rational warrant.

Answer 7

Atheists believe that there is no god, based on the fact that no evidence for him exists. Agnostics claim to have no knowledge regarding the existence of god.

Answer 8

Agnostics believe that there might be a god and there might not be a god. The jury is still out. They are waiting for proof.

Atheists believe there is no god.

Answer 9

Agnostics are atheist without a sense of commitment.

Answer 10

Agnostics aren't sure if God exists or not.
Atheists are sure God does NOT exist.