Why be agnostic?

Question

Let's face it. There is no god and you know it! Why are you still calling yourself agnostic? Is it that you don't want to offend people? What gives?

Answer 1

Theists and Atheists are all-inclusive. There is no third category. You either believe in God or you don't. Not believing in God doesn't mean asserting that God doesn't exist. I think most of the agnostics around are technically-speaking, atheists.

There is some bad stigma associated with atheism, and many people have strong views against atheism. Agnostics probably want to escape that stigma and label themselves agnostics

Answer 2

I'm agnostic for one reason, and that's because science isn't complete. Ultimately, there is no "god" there is what is. Whatever it is that created the universe (assuming there was something) is what created the universe. Until it's understood scientifically, it falls into the category of "other" which is essentially what atheism denies. I don't know what's IN that category of other, but I'm guessing that there's something there. In short, I can posit the possibility of alternate realms of consciousness, etc etc etc, by calling myself agnostic. To be a true atheist (well, technically, to be a physicalist) I have to deny that there's anything other than the physical world.

Personally, I'm a big fan of collective unconscious theory.

Answer 3

I am very irritated by Agnostics myself, I don't know why? I thank it is because I feel they are copping out someway. But you have to admit nobody knows for sure even the hardest core Atheist. Its just a belief any way you go. Anyway it seams a wast of time if the Christians are right Satan will have a field day with the Agnostics and the Atheist alike. xx

Answer 4

I have more respect for Agnostics than I do anything who assumes they KNOW any spiritual matter for a fact. Everyone is agnostic to some extent... anyone honest anyway. Im a believer but Im not dishonest enough to say I KNOW anything spiritual for a fact.

Answer 5

It probably comes down to arogance. Atheists have no concrete proof that there is no God, and agnostics recognize that neither the believers or the atheists have the requisite proof that they are looking for. So, the position of "I don't know for sure" seems to make the most sense for them.

Answer 6

choice.

like the choice to believe cult nonsense, like the bible!!

agnostics are simply saying that they are not wise enough to make the absolute decision either way about god. why is it necessary to make a choice about something that cannot be proven either way? why is it bad to simply admit "I don't know?"

seems that agnostics are the most realistic and human of all.

Answer 7

there is no "God" by whose definition? yours? i'm an agnostic because i know i don't know. i don't conceive that any deity that any tribe of puny human primitives imagine into their spirituality as being God is "God" enough, not near complex enough, not near strange enough. i don't believe in deity. i have "God" concepts of my own but i believe in none of them as ultimate truth but only the limits of my ability to imagine such immense complexity as is exhibited by the universe(and that's only this universe). all i have are my puny human perceptions, flawed and limited and my imagination with which to extrapolate. i don't know what "God" is. i don't even think "God" can be classified as a "what" much less (or more) a "who".

Answer 8

well, that's because people who call themselves agnostic are open to the possibility that God exists.

Answer 9

I think Agnostics tend to be very apathetic, its as if they don't care either way. On the other hand atheist tend to be very proactive with their views.

Answer 10

some people just don't know their own truth yet, and that is fine. Some people just take longer. any logical person wouldn't rule out something until they know for sure. it's ok to be "up in the air" about it.