What's an agnostic and what's an atheist?

Question

*I* know what they mean.

I'd like to know what YOU guys think.

Later on I'll add additional information giving the CORRECT definitions.

I also want to know if anyone thinks they mean this:
Agnostic - believing in something only when there is proof.
Atheist - will never believe in a god.

^-^

Okay... collecting just a couple answers I've gotten so far:

"an agnostic means you are not sure if there is or is not a god" - that is ONE aspect of it yes. But it's not it solely.

"atheism:Will probably never believe in God."
INCORRECT. Atheists will believe if given absolute indisputable proof. That's the beauty of atheism. WE can change. Most theists won't even if their position was proven wrong.

"Atheist- Does not believe in any god whatsoever." The typical atheist yes. But consider this, a Christian is an atheist to EVERY god *but* their own. "Typical" atheists just go one god further.

"Agnostic believes there is no proof to show them that God exist but claim they don't deny him. Atheist deny him." Aha... so some of you DO believe they are separate terms? One can be an agnostic atheist who simply lacks the believe. A GNOSTIC atheist completely denies (100%).

etc...

I'm correct on the definitions in that I include all of them. I don't say atheism can mean ONLY one thing and I realize that agnosticism can be a part of theism and atheism and has many parts to it. It is not solely "I don't know" or being wishy-washy.

I'm avoiding misconceptions on theism, atheism, agnosticism, and gnosticism. I know how they work together. I also know there are basically 7 parts using them in a spectrum that includes them all. (Look into Richard Dawkins for information on the spectrum.)

Answer 1

i think agnosticism isn't a position in and of itself, it's a qualifier.

ie: you can be an agnostic atheist (like most agnostics are), or an agnostic theist.


essentially, your stance is reflected in how you stand in these two categories:

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agnostic- not knowing.
gnostic- knowing.
-

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theist-believing in god.
atheist-not believing in god.
-

in the common tongue, "strong" and "weak" are sometimes used to replace gnostic and agnostic.

Answer 2

Wow, we've got quite a brain storm from this question!
I've often enjoyed watching the Endless battle between Christians and Atheist and Agnostics, and hoping, when the smoke settles, someone walks away having learned something from it.
To find the simplest and most accurate definitions we look to how the words translate;
Theist - with belief
Atheist - without belief
Gnostic - with knowledge
Agnostic - without knowledge
That's already been established.

The real issue here is what each one thinks of the others;

-Theists see Atheism and Agnosticism as a form of ignorance Largely due to the fact that their Dogma (accepted belief) is backed up by Kerygma (religious experience). However because
the experience is personal, there's no tangible way to plead their case.
-An Atheists primary opponant is the Christian, the most prosylitic of the Orthodox Faiths. As a result they come packing information that targets Christian fundamentalism. common arguments include 'evolution as scientific fact' and 'the problem of Evil'. An Atheists beliefs are often backed up by experience as well, but like the Theists, this does little to aid the argument.
-Agnostics, who often make the claim that spiritual knowledge can't be known, are carefull not take a possition either way or claim a belief as a Truth. They don't share the experiences of the theists, Atheists, or Gnostics but they aren't looking for them either.
-Gnostics would be the primary opponant of the Atheists, If the aggresive Orthodox didn't wedge it's way into the frey and pull out every stop to keep Gnosis under lock and key. But just as well, for the Gnostic is content to search out his own Truth and avoid 'worldly chatter'.

so for all of you, heres my advice
Theists - Learn everything you can about creationism, the more the better. Also avoid quoting the Bible retorically. "because it says in the Bible..." is not a suitable argument.

Atheists - be carefull not to recend into scepticism. Spending you're days trying to disprove anothers beliefs does'nt get you anything but time wasted. You've established what doesn't exist, now establish what does, and don't stop till you find it.

Agnostics - whether you say you can or you say you can't; you're right.

Gnostics - If/When you're a developed gnostic you'll know the other 3 are nothing to worry about. keep a low profile and steady the course.

Happy new years!

Answer 3

I would say that an agnostic isn't convinced that a god exists, whereas an atheist is convinced that no god exists. This is not the same thing as the example definitions you have there; if an atheist converts to belief in a god, it doesn't negate the fact that he or she used to be an atheist; some genuine atheists will, at some point, believe in a god. An agnostic might believe in something without proof, and they might even disbelieve in something despite proof. They just don't have a firm opinion as to whether a god exists, no matter what proof is or isn't available.

Answer 4

There is an answerer who has already called himself an agnostic that would believe if proof was presented, but if you had asked me I would say generally one who simply isn't sure. As for an atheist, in my opinion there isn't such a thing. Though commonly defined as one who does not believe in God, I don't think that there is ONE who can actually, validly say, "There is no God". The link below will explain more. However, your first definition of an atheist, someone who "will never believe in a god", is not true. They may not currently believe in God, but that doesn't mean that they won't in the future. Hope this helps!

http://eefen.wetpaint.com/page/Atheism

Answer 5

Agnostics can't decided, Atheists can. Agnostics claim somethings to be unknowable, whereas Atheists demand naturalistic evidence to prove God's existance, and in the absence declare that he doesn't. However, for this reason, most atheists will believe in God with the appropriate naturalistic evidence, instead of declaring absolutely that they will never believe in God.

Answer 6

Atheism is about belief. An atheist will say that he/she does not believe that god(s) exist, or say plainly that god(s) do not exist, which is still a statement of belief.

Agnosticism is about knowledge. An agnostic will say that there is no way of knowing because the existence of god(s) can be neither proven nor disproven.

An agnostic theist will say that he/she believes in god(s), although he/she cannot know for sure.

An agnostic athiest will say that he/she does not believe in god(s), although he/she cannot know for sure.

Answer 7

agnostic
1. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
2. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
atheist
1. Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
2. The doctrine that there is no God or gods.
i'm agnostic tending towards atheist.
but what makes u the one with the 'correct' definition?

Answer 8

"Agnostics" is a term that exists to allow non believers to remain part of the church (at least according to Yes Minister).

Here's the difference. Agnostics believe that there is no way to prove that god exists, and concequently don't believe either way. God could exists, or he could not exist.

Atheists believe that the absence of proof is sufficient evidence for them and therefore do not believe that god exists.

Answer 9

Agnostics are the same as Atheist. Neither believe in a God.

Atheists would be just as likely as Agnostics to believe in a God if evidence existed.

You either (a) Believe in a God or (b) Do not believe in a God.. There is no in between. People seem to get this point confused.

Answer 10

Agnostic believes there is no proof to show them that God exist but claim they don't deny him. Atheist deny him.