As an agnostic, how do you define your beliefs?

Question

Do you believe in certain aspects of many religions?
(Or none of most?)

Do you have a disbelief in atheism?

Do you just flat out refuse to choose?

What separates you from gnostics and deists? (I know the answer to this one - and I just hope that someone else does too.)

I have recently been classifying myself as an Agnostic/Buddhist.
Many people raise their eyebrows as if to say "that figures".
:)

I have yet to hear a good reason that I cannot be agnostic and buddhist at the same time... can you give me one?

Answer 1

I believe most religions state things that are common sense to all cultures and times so therefore those aspects are believable.

I don't disbelieve in atheism, I just acknowledge the very very small voice that says that there is no proof of deities nor is there any proof against them.

No, I don't just flat out refuse to choose. I was forced into chrisitanity as a child, I choose to be a Wiccan for many years after that. I see agnosticism as another path and part of my growth as an individual.

I guess what separates me from gnostics and deists is that they believe in some kind of higher power and I pretty much ignore it because I see no proof either way.

Buddhism is essentially atheistic as it has no deity worship but I don't see that as conflicting with Agnosticism. Many, but not all, agnostics ride the line between agnosticism and atheism anyways.

Answer 2

It seems you could either be agnostic as in "Eh, I dunno, whatever, too much thinking involved." But a strong agnostic would be one who says "There is no strong proof either for or against the existence of God. Thus, I chose not to make a decision either way." This is similar to a scientific approach, where one is capable of defining, through evidence on a specific phenomenon, what one knows, and what one wants to know, but not other things because the evidence has not yet been gathered. A scientist then may say "I think this seems more likely than not, but I have no proof, so I cannot in good conscience say so definitely."

Agnostics and deists are fairly different, in that deists believe in the existence of a God/Godhead, while stating said Force does not (through choice or compulsion) currently actively engage in the manipulation of the universe (the clockmaker theory). Agnostics won't even make that strong at claim--there may have been a God which created the universe, but it cannot currently being proven either way.

To be an agnostic-buddhist sure seems contradictory to me...to be Buddhist is to acknowldge the existence of an Eternal, undying Spirit (One/Way). An agnostic cannot, by definition, make such an admission. However, a person could say, "well, I don't know if there is a Way, but, if there is, my best inuition/evidence indicates that it resembles that described in the Buddhist tradition." I would call such a person agnostic with Buddhist leanings or inclinations, but maybe we're just arguing terminology, not meaning.

Answer 3

Most Agnostics don't believe or disbelieve in a higher power as it is seen as totally unknowable one way or the other whether or not a higher power exists. Anyway every Agnostic is different from one another as some might not like religion at all and some might say ahh what the hell. Anyway if you want to be a Buddhist then do so as it's something that you feel makes you happy. Seriously you don't have to explain yourself to anybody else especially another fellow Agnostic.

Answer 4

An agnostic is someone who believes that whether god exists or not is unknowable.

I class myself as an agnostic atheist. I don't believe god exists (or at least, not a god of any religion), but I also believe that it is impossible to know either way for sure.

I suppose an agnostic buddhist would be similar. As far as I know buddhism has no deity, but if you don't think it's possible to know for sure that god exists or doesn't exist, then that could be called agnostic buddhism.

Answer 5

I don't know, and I don't care!
http://uctaa.net/
http://www.apatheticagnostic.com/ourchurch/calendar.html


Statement of Beliefs:

Agnosticism is a legitimate religious belief. We do not know because we cannot know. The ultimate truth about the existence of a Supreme Being is unknowable. Recognizing this, we can free ourselves from a fruitless search and, indeed, no longer care about answering the question. The basic tenants of our religion are summed up in our Articles of Faith.

Articles of Faith:

1. The existence of a Supreme Being is unknown and unknowable. To believe in the existence of a god is an act of faith. To believe in the nonexistence of a god is likewise an act of faith. There is no evidence that there is a Supreme Being, nor is there evidence there is not a Supreme Being. Faith is not knowledge. We can only state with assurance that we do not know.

2. If there is a Supreme Being, then that being appears to act as if apathetic to events in our universe. All events in our Universe, including its creation, can be explained with or without the existence of a Supreme Being. Thus, if there is indeed a God, then that god has had no more impact than no god at all. To all appearances, any purported Supreme Being is indifferent to our Universe and to its inhabitants.

3. We are apathetic to the existence or nonexistence of a Supreme Being. If there is a God, and that God does not appear to care, then there is no reason to concern ourselves with whether or not a Supreme Being exists, nor should we have any interest in satisfying the purported needs of that Supreme Being

Answer 6

A true agnostic in classical sense does not generally rule out the possibility that any religion or Theist belief is correct or incorrect.
The underlying concept is that there is not sufficient evidence one
way or another to make a logical decision as to the appropriate
Deity, if any.

Answer 7

I would describe myself as agnostic. Grew up Luthern, tried quite a few other religions, Buddism & Taoism made the most sense to me. I didn't choose anything nor discount anything. I can't prove there's a God, but I can't prove there's not. I hope that answers your question. If you want to discuss it further, e-mail me.

Answer 8

An agnostic doesn't have "beliefs." An agnostic is open-minded. An agnostic doesn't believe in God, but he doesn't believe there is no God either. An agnostic simply doesn't know one way or the other, and is open to proof in either direction.

Answer 9

Agnostics don't believe in belief.

two down- no, it wouldn't. I don't see where you were going with that one.

Answer 10

there is no proof that a god exists or does not exist, neither atheism or a belief in god/gods is supported by anything, i'll keep an open mind until I see some sort of indisputable evidence