Agnosticism vs Atheism (part 1)?

Question

If Atheism is just disbelief or the absence of belief in God(s), then what is the difference between Agnosticism and Atheism? Do you think Atheists are dogmatic where Agnostics are not?

Answer 1

Agnosticism is the position that humanity will never possess absolute knowledge concerning the existence or nonexistence of gods.

Atheism is a lack of belief in the existence of gods. Break down the word: the prefix "a-" means "without" and the noun "theism" means "belief in the existence of a god or gods".

In a sense, agnosticism is a form of weak atheism in that agnostics who refuse to weigh in on the matter due to their position are nonetheless technically without belief.

Answer 2

atheism deals with the belief that no higher being or power exists agnosticism deals with the belief that the existence or nonexistence of a higher being or power is unknowable anyway there are no dogmas in agnosticism or atheism dogma has to to with doctrine suchs as the bible or the qu'ran anyway i'm agnostic by the way if you want to learn more about atheism just type in atheism wikipedia and for agnosticism type in agnosticism wikipedia and there you will learn more about the two

Answer 3

It's not versus. This is similar to asking, "Logic vs atheism?" You can be an agnostic atheist (which I am). Agnostics believe that we CANNOT know the supernatural, since it exists outside of reality, hence our realm of comprehension. Most people are agnostic theists, which is totally silly.

People who tell you agnostics are people who just don't know obviously don't know what agnostic means. Due to most of the population not being able to think rationally, agnosticism has been changed to mean "I don't know what I believe."

Answer 4

In my opinion it depends. I think some are almost completely closed to the notion that there could be a god. But it seems like many more are just of the opinion that there is no reason to believe. Either way, I don't think they are nearly as dogmatic as some who are religious.

That's just my opinion and I am not an atheist. So I don't mean to answer for atheists, just to give the opinion of somebody who identifies with them intellectually but not spiritually.

Answer 5

Weak atheism and weak agnosticism are basically the same to me, although weak agnosticism makes more of an emphasis on the "don't know" part where weak atheism just says you have no belief. Semantics.

Answer 6

Think of it in legal terms:

Agnosticism is like saying, "Maybe he's guilty, and maybe he isn't."

Atheism is like saying, "Innocent until proven guilty."

The agnostic says the "god" myth might be possible but is unknown.

The atheist says there's no "god" until someone proves there is.


Tell me: Would you want people to think you might be guilty of a crime, or for people to assume you are innocent before a trial?

Is it "dogmatic" of you to want people to believe you are innocent before a trial? No, that's being _pragmatic_.

Refusing to believe in or consider a "god" myth when there is no evidence is the most pragmatic way of thinking possible.


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Answer 7

Agnostics are people who do not know if their is a god or gods. Whereas atheists are people who are considered somewhat educated in religion and simply do not believe in having a faith that something controls the universe other than an individuals actions affecting the collective.

Answer 8

Atheism is the claim that you KNOW there is no god, and therefore do not BELIEVE in diety or religion.

Agnosticism is the claim that you do NOT KNOW if there is a god(or not) but you BELIEVE there is or is not, depending on your personal opinion.

Answer 9

I call myself an atheist, but I'm open to the possibility that God exists. Just, I don't see any evidence at all...if I had contradictory evidence going both ways, I would change my label to agnostic.

Answer 10

Remember the distinction between strong atheism and weak atheism.