surely an 'atheist' who is intellectually rigourous should be agnostic, ie approach with an open mind?

Question

should one not tackle a question without prejudices

PSafter reading some answers I dont know the exact terminology but i suppose it goes something like this
a strong belief requires strong evidence

Answer 1

Surely an agnostic who is intellectually rigorous will eventually draw a conclusion or two based on evidence...

Answer 2

Eh ... in a way.

But there is a difference.

A true atheist is someone who has observed and learned the information concerning both science and religion, and has drawn the conclusion that there cannot be a God.

In that regaurd, they are stating a belief. Just as a christian would say, "after viewing the evidence and considering the options, I believe that Jesus Christ was the son of the One True God.

An agnostic has viewed the same information, and drawn the conclusion that the answer cannot be drawn from the data at hand, and therefore, has not made a subposition.

Answer 3

I think that all atheists actually have to have a tiny shred of agnosticism, simply because we don't know and anything is possible. However, the difference between an atheist and an agnostic is that atheists honestly do not believe there is a God, despite the minuscule chance that we are wrong. Given the evidence and the option of believe or not, one must choose not to believe as the evidence simply does not support the existence of a god, at least until further evidence is discovered.

Answer 4

i don't believe in a divinity, and therefore am atheist, but i have a set of beliefs already, so need not be agnostic. i have an open mind about other's beliefs, but that does not mean i must adopt them as my own every time i hear a new one. i tend to think that each set of beliefs can be a different way to describe the same thing, the divine, and so i do not negate those beleifs. although, people who really do not have open minds hold beliefs that i do not believe follow the path of the divine, and often these people are of one of the abrahamic monotheistic religions that try to convert others. i'm not open minded when it comes to coercion & persuasion & spreading fear and dissention.

Answer 5

That's why I consider myself an agnostic.......I certainly don't believe, and I think the entire thing sounds silly.....but what do I know?

I think a lot of Atheists are former religious people who are pissed (justifiably) at the actions of the religious. I think Atheism is a response of screw off.

Since I was never raised religiously, I never rebelled against religion.

Do I think religion is a crock? Absolutely.

If I expereince something will I believe? Sure.

I'd wager every atheist on here would believe if they had a direct expereince of God. They want evidence. As do I.

I think the main difference is that they are just more certain that other people are wrong.

Answer 6

But what if you apply the same logic to something we all (most of us) agree isn't real: Santa Claus. I'm an Santa-atheist: I think that there is no Santa. But I can't prove he doesn't exist, and kids still believe in him. Must I therefore call myself a "Santa-agnostic" to be intellectually rigourous?

There are two options to God's existence, I know: either he does or he doesn't. But are those two options equal? Not to me they're not.

Answer 7

Yes to any question one should approach it with an open mind, but when sufficient evidence has been aquired an opinion is formed. Thus, the question does Santa Claus exist is approached with an open mind until it is decided that, no, on balance he does not exist. If evidence came along to reopen the question it should be considered.

It is not I who is promoting the concept of 'god' onto a pedestal unlike any other, of no other concept is proof of non-exisence demanded.

Answer 8

I agree, to say there is not got is as saying there is a god. Both show a mind that is closed to opportunity. Truly there is no way for us to know now. I am pretty sure that the atheists on here do not believe in Christianity. But if they consider it more fully, they would most likely see that they are really agnostic, not atheist.
B

Answer 9

However, if we are talking about "God" (as opposed to "god") in the Christian/Muslim/Jewish sense, there is simply no evidence that "He" does exist, and, if He does, I can reasonably conclude (based on reading a newspaper, for one thing) that he is the exact opposite of what Christians et al. say he is. Therefore I conclude it is quite safe to affirm that God does not exist. Ergo, I am an atheist.

Answer 10

Not only am a agnostic, I am also politically independant. Some might think I am indecisive, but in my mind, I am open to every side of every issue.