2007-01-06 17:53:24 · 21 answers · asked by Thundercow 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Agnostics have doubt as to the existence of a Supreme Being. (They are not convinced as to the existence or nonexistence.)
Atheists are certain there is no Supreme Being.
2007-01-06 17:54:45 · answer #1 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Atheists think that there definitely isn't any God. Agnostics are uncertain whether or not there is a God. The difference is between a definite no or a maybe. (Many agnostics believe that it is beyond human capacity to know whether or not there is a God. That doesn't mean there is not one for sure, but at the same time, one can never know.)
2007-01-06 17:56:14 · answer #2 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is my understanding that an atheist denies the existence of a higher power, whereas an agnostic accepts the possibilty. (My answer is not the best answer to the question!) I did want to add that someone once told me that regardless of whether or not a person considers themselves to be an atheist, Christian, Muslim, etc, essentially we are all agnostics, as no one really knows the answer of the existence of a higher power. I thought that was an interesting spin on the concept!
2007-01-06 17:59:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well my friend, an Agnostic myself, I'll be glad to help you see the difference. Agnostism boils down to many, many different types, but all have a specific theory behind them. That would be: "We are not sure that a Supreme Being/Higher Order of Existance exists, or does not exist". Like above, it's moreso "Doubt", or skeptism, open to ideas, and new thoughts, not ruling it out completly, but viewing it as unlikely.
Atheism, is the denouncment (in some cases), rejection, disbelief, etc of a Supreme Being/Higher Order of Existance. Mostly, they seem to reject the rational all together.
I do not speak for everyone, as many people have widely different opinions and perspectives. But I hope this helped.
2007-01-06 17:58:09 · answer #4 · answered by StreetPunk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One can be an agnostic atheist - simply lacks the belief in a god or gods. Says, "I don't believe in a god."
One can be a gnostic atheist - 100% doesn't believe. Says "I believe there is no god."
One can be an agnostic theist - has the belief in a god or gods.
One can be a gnostic theist - 100% believes in a god or gods.
Agnosticism isn't a separate term. It is a part of atheism and theism.
Summing it up:
Agnostic- not knowing.
Gnostic- knowing.
Theist-believing in a god or several gods (monotheist and polytheist)
Atheist-not believing in a god or gods, or not believing in all gods.
Understand that a Christian is an atheist to all other theistic religions' gods, but their own. "Typical" atheist (the ones who disbelieve in all gods) just go one god further.
For more information, Richard Dawkins in his "The God Delusion" book made a spectrum of 7 positions of them all: atheism, theism, agnosticism and gnosticism.
2007-01-06 18:03:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists believe there is no God
There are two types of agnostics. One who says that NO ONE can know God. The other says that they personally have not been convinced either way, although they might admit that God may be revealed to other people.
Then irreligious is simply one who doesn't care about theology. They might not even dwell on the concept of God.
2007-01-06 18:01:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheist is someone who does not believe their is a god. An agnostic is someone who believes that their might be a god but we lack the capability or knowledge to know for sure.
2007-01-06 17:57:54 · answer #7 · answered by dark_sapphire21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ncCNwbb5Jc&eurl=
^^ This video answers that question exactly.
In short, agnostic means "without knowledge". Atheism means "without god belief." I am an agnostic atheist. I have no knowledge of god and am without god belief. If you don't believe there is a god then you are an atheist. An atheist is not a person who says they can prove that no gods exist. We are people without god belief.
Beware of what the theists define us as. They like to set up strawman against us claiming that we are people who can prove there is no god. Or we are people who are close-minded to evidence.
2007-01-06 18:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by AiW 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When you are agnostic, you do not completely denounce the presence of a supreme being (not necessarily God or a god, could be one of many multiple powers, etc.), but do not associate with a set religion and its "rules". When you are Atheist, you do not believe that there is any form of a supreme being/higher power at all.
2007-01-06 17:59:39 · answer #9 · answered by juneangel88 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Atheists do not believe in a God or gods. Agnostics believe there is something but are undecided as to what.
I'm an atheist and while I don't believe in a God right now there is not way to disprove one, so saying atheists are "certain" there is not God is not always right.
Best Regards,
Zachary
2007-01-06 17:57:47 · answer #10 · answered by Zachary B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋