What is Agnosticism? What's an Agnostic? Now keep in mind that I am Agnostic. But let's pretend that I wasn't and I didn't know about what Agnosticism or an Agnostic is? How would you go about explaining it in your own words?
Please donot copy and paste this from Wikipedia or any online dictionaries. 10 points to the person who can best describe the two questions in their own words. And if I forgot any religious groups you are free to answer the question as well. This is mostly for people who claim a religion.
2007-03-07 07:10:06 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Vinslave- There is a method to my madness. That's all you need to know.
2007-03-07 07:16:32 · update #1
I'm a Unitarian so I would say that an Agnostic is someone who is uncertain about whether or not there is a deity and uncertain as to whether any organized belief system is representative of what you know to be truth. Basically, you're unsure and open to learning more. You have yet to be completely convinced one way or the others.
Peace.
2007-03-07 07:17:54 · answer #1 · answered by jenn_smithson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agnosticism is doubting the existence of a Supreme Being. It seems like agnostics question God's existence because, more often than not, there are things that just don't add up. If He is all compassionate, why are there people who suffer so much? God seems too much like a person with faults (vengeance, anger, jealousy, aggressiveness) to be divine. However, the way I see it, if you learn about God from someone who is a reputable source (and by that I mean someone who has truly experienced God, like a guru or a similar person), usually you can put those doubts to rest.
However, that's where the catch is, finding someone who is truly reputable. Agnosticism often results from disillusionment, which can be brought about by people claiming to know and preach the Truth, but really not knowing very much at all. Finding someone truly credible can usually restore your faith.
2007-03-07 08:22:01 · answer #2 · answered by lotusmoon01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term "Agnosticism" was originally coined by a Professor Huxley in the 19th century, and was defined as the firm belief that the existence (or non-existence) of God was unknowable and forever will be unknowable. Though now a days it refers to people who believe that when it comes to the existence of God, the jury is out. Self-proclaimed "agnostics" these days might not necessarily assert that the existence or non-existence of God is unknowable (which again was the original definition), but that they simply don't know right now one way or another.
Most people assume that everybody is either a theist ("I do believe in the existence of God"), an atheist ("I don't believe in the existence of God"), or an agnostic ("I don't know one way or another"). But this is a limiting view. It is, believe it or not, possible to be both an a theistic and an agnostic ("I believe in God, despite also believing that his existence is ultimately unknowable") or atheist and agnostic ("I don't believe in God, Even though I believe his existence is ultimately unknowable.").
To quote George Carlin, "I'm not an atheist and I'm not an agnostic. I'm an acrostic: the whole thing puzzles me."
2007-03-07 07:25:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An agnostic is one who does not believe those things that he cannot prove via his senses.
The word agnosticism comes from Greek gnosis, knowledge, and the strict definition is "without knowledge." It is usually used with reference to people who do not have knowledge of God and, therefore, do not believe there is enough information (sensory) to prove whether He exists or does not exist, but one can be agnostic on other subjects too.
2007-03-07 07:18:15 · answer #4 · answered by cmw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But if you are an agnostic, why are you asking us what an agnostic is ? What do you hope to achieve by asking this question, unless you are not sure yourself of your agnosticism ?
I'm going to bounce the question back to you.
What type of agnostic are you ?
Are you one that believes it is impossible to prove the existence of God ?
Or are you sceptical about the existence of God, but not an atheist ?
2007-03-07 07:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
agnosticism is the uncertainty of whether there is, or isn't a higher power, God, or deities.
an agnostic is someone who is unsure whether they should believe in God, a deity, or deities, and does not neccessarilt adhere to any religious code of truth and ethics.
Basically, they're on the fence, which I imagine must hurt the groin...
2007-03-07 07:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My mind is open to the truth. I will listen to anyone, but I will make my own, final decisions. If you can PROVE to me, without any doubt, that what you believe in is undeniably true, I will accept it. I am an intelligent person who thinks for himself and makes up his own mind, and I cannot be pressured into other people's beliefs by any means, whatsoever. This includes fear and/or isolation. My beliefs are just that - Mine!
2007-03-07 07:24:37 · answer #7 · answered by Buffy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Agnostic can be considered as one who is a {skeptic} of the knowledge of a God(s). Whether the "proof" or "non-proof" to believe in the existence of the knowledge is there or not.
Agnosticism is without knowledge of ... whether it be "proof" or "non-proof" of the existence of a God(s).
2007-03-07 07:28:35 · answer #8 · answered by אידיאליסטי™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone who believes there is a supernatural being/creator but cannot be known, experienced, or defined
Someone who doesn't know or believe if God exists or does not
Someone who does not hold any religious claims
Someone who has chosen not to chose
2007-03-07 07:14:32 · answer #9 · answered by Doug 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are two forms of agnosticism...
Those that don't know whether God exists or not.
Those that believe in God, but say we can never know (or assume, I should say), what God's nature is.
2007-03-07 07:15:11 · answer #10 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋