Isn't agnosticism worthless? Why not be an atheist until proof of God appears?

Question

Well, that's basically what you are anyway whether you admit it or not.

Answer 1

The term 'agnostic' is widely misunderstood. The word was coined by Thomas Huxley and it refers to a person who holds the view that it is wrong to assert the truth of a proposition without logically satisfactory evidence.

So, an agnostic would say that it's wrong to say "God exists" or "No gods exist" without the argument or evidence to back it up. Moreover, an agnostic would say that it's immoral for a person to tell someone else that they *ought* to believe in the existence of a god or gods without providing logically satisfactory evidence.

A 'theist' is defined as someone who believes in the existence of a god or gods, so an atheist is anyone who is not a theist.

Therefore you can be agnostic and also an atheist, or agnostic and a theist, or not agnostic and an atheist, or not agnostic and a theist.

Agnosticism, as originally defined by Huxley, is a rationally justifiable position that all thinking people should hold. It doesn't mean being a 'fence-sitter' or undecided or anything like that.

Answer 2

Sorry, but you are in no position to tell others what they believe. Agnosticism is not worthless, it's logical. Scientists are skeptics and when they test hypotheses and these hypotheses are not proven false, then it is considered a theory until proven wrong, hence the theory of gravity and evolution. The same goes for the concept of god, there is no possible way to know. The difference is you rejecting the concept of god or you rejecting organized religion. Many atheists disagree with organized religion, and so do I, but the definition of god is upto the person. Hindus believe god is a source of light, the source of existence. 'God' could simply be the origin of the universe that people have characterized as a conscience. Agnostics are open to all possible outcomes, atheists are not.

Answer 3

Hmm... well sho-nuff... living in a nice black and white world may work just fine for you... but for many of the rest of us we have lovely shades to pick from, and different colors, and its really great... you should try it... god forbid, you might actually form independant thought rather than following the left, or the right.

I for one prefer right down the middle :) or at times I chose to meander off to the left, or right, or oh hell.. I just zig and zag any darn place I like... wow, freedom of choice... now thats an interesting concept.

You know... some of us believe in spirituality, but not necessarily "God" as is dictated by the 3 popular religeons of the world. Some believe in nature, some believe in spirits, and heck, some even believe that god was nothing more than a highly superior race that created us all as a genetic experiment. Are they all wrong? oh thats right... most "Popular" religeons believe that their way is the ONLY way, and that everyone else is wrong. Heh... I'll let you know when I find out, Cuz I sure as hell dont have a direct line to the all mighty, or think I'm all knowing enough to have all the answers... so until then, I'm going to taste all the falvors :)

Answer 4

No, some people are agnostic because they arrent sure if there's a god or not. Sometimes it might seem that there is but sometimes it seems like there isnt, so they are just completely undecided. They are perfectly comfortable with people who believe and people who dont. Whereas the atheist believes that there definately is no God. They know that there isnt.
So to answer your question, not everyone can be an atheist because some people arrent set on the fact that there definately is no god. So how can they be atheist with this uncertainty?

Answer 5

In my view an atheist has as much faith as a theist. I say this because both theist and atheist have very strong beliefs in things that are not seen and cannot be empirically measured.

An agnostic has no faith and simply does not hold any belief one way or another concerning the existence of God.

If you are looking for scientific proof of God, before you believe you will never find it. Just like you will never find scientific evidence of love or of hate.

Answer 6

Actually, an agnostic is a doubter, whereas an atheist is a non-beleiver. There is a difference.
Often times, an agnostic is still open for learning & discovering. Many times they have spirituality & beleive in God, but do not conform to rituals and rites of organized religion. Sometimes they beleive but are still defining exactly what they beleive.
It seems to be of your humble opinion that ALL agnostics are atheists... wouldn't that make you a doubter & thus, a non-beleiver, as well...whether you admit it or not?

Answer 7

As an atheist, of course I think you are right, but agnostics and godbelievers will not agree with you. Especially because this statement puts agnostics and godbelievers in the same box. You could make the same point with believers instead of agnostics.

But let's keep the peace. Believers say there are no atheists, I disagree with them. I think everyone should be allowed to style his own label.

Answer 8

nicely there is a marvelous extra effective loss of evidence for the life of God. enable's look at an occasion: all people starts off understanding no longer something. concept A is got here across. concept A has no evidence. for this reason, no one will have self assurance concept A. (concept A = God) Atheists do no longer teach that God would not exist, they only cite your loss of evidence that He does exist as a source of no longer believing. And definite while you argue atheists thieve the muse of religion, do no longer additionally they prepare people to think of for themselves, to step out of blindness and right into a international of reasoning?

Answer 9

Atheists are so cranky and boring. All they can say is, "God doesn't exist! God doesn't exist!" No patience, limited vocabulary, no ability to tolerate foolishness. Sad. I like to be able to speak in more than one language, whether I believe or not. I can see value in everyone's myths. Even if I think more like an atheist, I encourage theists to explore and grow in their faith, confident that they will ultimately arrive at common wisdom and universal truth despite the metaphysical overlays. What *I* believe is not all that important.

Answer 10

Because agnostic does not mean that you are waiting for proof. Agnostic is simply a philosophical label that means that you think it is impossible to know either way.

I could make the same argument and say why not an agnostic be a theist until they find proof that he does not exist.

I don't think you have a proper view of what it means to be an agnostic.