because atheists don't know whether or not there is a god. they're just pretty darn sure there isn't.
2007-05-13 11:07:07 · 20 answers · asked by JetAlone 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Agnostics say they don't know if there is a God, while atheists say there is no God.
2007-05-13 11:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by Belize Missionary 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, technically. I keep that measure of doubt.
About the same doubt as I have over the possibility that the sun won't rise tomorrow morning. I can't prove that it will, so therefore the issue must be in doubt.
But for all practical purposes the doubt is not employed. It's not useful. Therefore I'm an atheist not an agnostic, by any triage.
Even if nothing is certain, some things are massively less uncertain than others. (Bertrand Russell's exposition)
Now if the issue is "should there be doubt?" then yes the doubt, however small, needs to be examined. But I find most theists don't want to go there.
2007-05-13 11:26:30 · answer #2 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya , that's pretty much a point of conviction. Or that's how I look at. I once heard it described as atheist has balls and agnostics don't . My dad was agnostic, He admits he doesn't know. but he doesn't think so. I look and say no possible way. I also think if he does exist I wouldn't worship him If he would punishes me for all eternity in a lake of fire for not believing. But I led a good life. I loved, I played, I have family, friends, I think the world is beautiful. But I believe only in this world. It is the only thing we are sure of. Right here right now. I want what I have right now to be good. And that is what I am working on.
2007-05-13 11:17:12 · answer #3 · answered by punch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps presently the problem is atheists, christians, jews, and muslims accept a god (man; self Gen. 3:5-6), it is just a matter of accepting the higher authority of a higher being 'God', some people dislike.
2007-05-13 12:03:21 · answer #4 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists do not believe in a god.
Agnostics are not sure.
The two groups of people are mutually exclusive so the answer to you question is no, athiests are sure there is no God.
A much better question is "is there anyone who isn't truly agnostic".
2007-05-13 11:22:05 · answer #5 · answered by crazy_tentacle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't know whether or not there is a Gollum. You're just pretty darn sure there isn't.
You don't know whether or not there is a Yoda. You're just pretty darn sure there isn't.
You don't know whether or not there is a Spider-Man. You're just pretty darn sure there isn't.
Same thing, isn't it?
Atheists LACK BELIEF IN ANY GODS, including yours, just like you lack belief in the aforementioned characters.
2007-05-13 11:13:53 · answer #6 · answered by eldad9 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are saying atheists are agnostics because they really dont know for sure then all theists must also be agnostics because in truth no one knows for sure
2007-05-13 11:13:02 · answer #7 · answered by E.T.01 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Whatever makes you feel better.
I don't need to know whether there is 'a god', I just know that the Biblical god is a patchwork of various regional gods, later edited down into a monotheistic god.
2007-05-13 11:10:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are some atheists who are strong atheists and are not agnostic about their position.
I imagine most of us are weak or agnostic atheists, but I have no reason to believe that other than anecdotal evidence :-D.
2007-05-13 11:10:20 · answer #9 · answered by N 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All people are agnostic, as they are just "pretty darn sure" one way or the other.
No one "knows". My biggest beef with certain religious people is the claim that they "know" god. They do NOT; they merely have faith that their vision is correct.
.
2007-05-13 11:14:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋