Inquiring minds want to know.
2007-05-06 14:37:40 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an agnostic atheist. Agnosticism is the one intellectually honest view. It is an admission of ignorance. Nobody really knows anything about god whether he exists or not. I take it one step further and claim that there is sufficient evidence to truly doubt the existence of god, but I'm leaving my mind open.
2007-05-06 14:46:30 · answer #1 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Concerning agnostics, I'll look at the person, not the label.
Concerning Agnosticism, I think that, philosophically, it's a fine point of view, and I could see inferences that, the way "god" is defined, it's a safe view. Unfortunately, Agnosticism itself is, by its very nature, an incomplete system unto itself, and still needs to be supplemented in other areas (most notably epistemology, ethics) that are more descriptive and defining than the Agnostic label. Atheism falls into this category as well.
This lack of system (because it's only one description) has one huge advantage: because it is not tied to the Agnostic label, it is highly flexible, and can be changed without regard to the label itself. This is a very, very good thing.
2007-05-06 15:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by jtrusnik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts on Agnostics, well, as I understand it the word itself means; one who believes that nothing can be known about the existence of God or of anything except material things. So in my opinion Agnostics would probably be intelligent and thoughtful people. Though I do think it is somewhat sad that they can't find anything to have faith in. But still there is nothing wrong with that. Better to take a step back to think about things instead of jumping blindly into some different belief system with both feet. I say good for them.
2007-05-06 14:57:17 · answer #3 · answered by meg3f 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference between atheists and agnostics is largely semantics. Some would qualify me as an atheist, others an agnostic.
I think it's a great term. Agnostics are fine, even if I am one. Never met one I didn't like.
2007-05-06 14:44:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I thought of myself as agnostic for a while, but then I read some of Carl Sagan's work, and realized I was just playing it safe. And then I decided I really was an atheist after all. Perfectly willing to change my mind if any evidence actually arises for a god, but until that happens, I'm pretty sure there isn't one.
2007-05-06 14:43:58 · answer #5 · answered by eri 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I respect the honesty of agnostics. When asked if God exists, they merely say "Dunno."
My only criticism is they don't seem that imaginative. I mean - I think it's okay to speculate a little bit on topics like this. (Sure - you might not know for sure, but most people aren't comfortable just leaving a question in an unanswered state like that.)
2007-05-06 16:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by Lunarsight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism/Theism is about beliefs. Agnosticism is about knowledge.
Everybody is either a theist or an atheist. That is about beliefs. Somebody either believes in a god or gods, or doesn't.
When it comes to knowledge, we have fundamentalists and agnostics. Fundamentalists claim to be sure of a god/gods, or of no gods. Besides the fundamentalists, everybody is an agnostic. Agnosticism means nothing more than saying "I'm not 100% sure". It says nothing about a belief or a lack of belief in any god.
I'm an agnostic-atheist. I don't believe in any gods.
2007-05-06 14:49:46 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have to comment on what someone above said. Agnosticism is not about being "unsure." On the contrary, it is about accepting and acknowledging the only thing ANYONE "knows" about the existence of deity - that no one "knows" for sure either way. Ironically, to be an agnostic is to be completely truthful and completely correct.
2007-05-06 14:47:48 · answer #8 · answered by Huddy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most seem to be willing to think for themselves are are usually very open-minded. I suppose that just makes sense, considering that they haven't really settled on any particular belief, and some haven't even decided if they want to follow a belief at all. Open-mindedness just comes with the package.
2007-05-06 14:46:59 · answer #9 · answered by MigukInUJB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I understand it, atheists simply declare that there is no God, while agnostics assert that God may exist and you just can't know for sure, or they will believe in Him if you can prove He exists.
God loves both equally.
Both are on the road to Hell.
Jesus stretched out His arms on a cruel Cross some 2000 years ago for them and still invites them today.
But to be fair, I challenge you and everyone else who reads this to open a Bible and read Matthew 7:21-23.
And then before you slam the Book shut, read 1Cor.10:12.
It is better to be IN Christ than not.
2007-05-06 14:54:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋