To subscribe to any belief wholeheartedly seems a little too rigid and somewhat narrow minded. Can you tell me in one sentence why being agnostic is considered a poor choice as opposed to making a concrete decision either way? Is there a certain harm to being agnostic?
Believer and atheist alike please answer.
And nothing condescending please like "Maybe theres a easter bunny or the FSM" or "well youre going to burn in hell" as I have heard that stuff before.
2007-05-29 16:48:05 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sitting on a fence can hurt the bum.
2007-05-29 16:50:54 · answer #1 · answered by S K 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
One sentence answer: Agnostics give theists too much credit.
The long (and better) answer: All "atheists" are agnostics, but not all agnostics are atheists. Because "god" is unfalsifiable, one end of the agnostic continuum is occupied by those who call themselves atheists. They operate under the assumption that the probability of there being a god is so incredibly remote that they are quite comfortable operating under the assumption that no said deity exists.
Please get off the post-modern idea that having any sort of definitive opinion on anything is being "narrow minded". Giving all claims equal weight and consideration isn't always the right thing to do. Have some guts and take a chance on wandering outside of the comfortably safe area. Take a chance.
2007-05-29 16:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by Peter D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think that it is a horrible choice. I just philosophically disagree with you. When an agnostic sees no evidence they say that means you can't tell. I say it means the odds of it are so low that it isn't worth considering.
There is no evidence that there is a god. To me that makes saying there is one just a wild guess. Guesses have such a low probability of being right that they really are not worth your time.
That is why I like to relate it to Odin. If you are sure that he isn't real, what do you see different about any other god? I honestly don't see anything that is different.
2007-05-29 17:04:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a believer, and also a seeker. Agnosticism is the scientific choice: it's admitting that you are still searching and haven't figured it out yet, and maybe, just maybe, you never will find it but you still will keep searching.
This is how we all should be -- open minded and searching. Keep up the good search.
I continue to study the religions of the world, and Christianity is still my favorite. But if I find out someday that Jesus wasn't what Christianity teaches he was, it will not shake my faith in the loving Father described in the pages of the New Testament.
2007-05-29 17:00:17 · answer #4 · answered by Freedom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an agnostic, I cannot really give you the answer you want. To some, I'm sure not being able to rigidly align yourself to a faith can seem like a weakness. Personally, I don't feel that I am adequately able to make that type of decision. Who am I to judge something so profound? Agnostics aren't flaky, they're humble.
2007-05-29 16:53:16 · answer #5 · answered by Summer 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well aren't you asking a lot? One sentence, nothing condescending. Next you will ask us to avoid sarcasm or slapstick comedy as well. What fun is that?
Being agnostic is watered down atheism according to some. I see no reason to reserve judgment without concussive evidence.
2007-05-29 16:52:40 · answer #6 · answered by valcus43 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a poor choice because I feel that agnosticism stems from a misunderstanding of religion, and its purpose.
I'd elaborate further, but there is the one sentence rule you've created to consider. Anyway, I'm not saying it's wrong, just not something to 'settle' with, in my opinion.
2007-05-29 16:55:17 · answer #7 · answered by elephant_in_the_delta_waves 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most agnostics feel this way entirely. Though I do not claim to speak for the entirety of the agnostic population, I can speak for myself, as I can consider myself agnostic.
I feel as though being agnostic is exactly as you describe: you shouldn't subscribe to any belief wholeheartedly as it is rigid and narrow minded.
Most agnostics have absolutely no problem with the concept of God, but most feel it is impossible to claim a God exists, but also to claim he doesn't exist, and to subscribe to either forks of that path is foolish, as one cannot prove or disprove a "God".
Sorry, I don't do one sentences, and I hated having to do them in high school: nothing can be explained well in under one sentence.
2007-05-29 16:53:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
People want you to pick a team and stay there, because most people are more comfortable being able to label you in just one way.
If you feel your own beliefs are too complex to have just one label, others seem to find it confronting and will actively lobby you to 'choose sides'.
Bisexuals get the same attitude, lol. Personally, I think it comes down to what works for you, and in the case of religion, what you feel and believe within yourself. After all, what else actually matters when it comes to religious belief?
Ummm, I guess no, I couldn't do it one sentence. Can't wait to see who can, and what they say ;-)
Best wishes :-)
2007-05-29 16:54:12 · answer #9 · answered by thing55000 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, there's probably something out there that would fit your beliefs, as men have twisted everything into what they want to believe. If you feel like the only one who feels a certain way on a variety of topics, it's very likely that you are wrong. Just keep looking.
2007-05-29 16:51:56 · answer #10 · answered by Josh S 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am deeply religious. But I believe that each person needs to figure out what they believe (or not). And I believe that you are entitled to change what you believe (or not) later on, if you find something that resonates better with you. What I expect, though, is that other people respect MY beliefs and allow me to cherish them, the same way that they cherish their own.
2007-05-29 16:52:25 · answer #11 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋