Who do theists have more respect for, atheists or agnostics?

Question

Atheists are clear in their conviction, and take a firm stand on their position.

Agnostics are accepting possibilities and maintaining an open mind.

I'm not ask which one you think makes more sense, but which you respect more.

Answer 1

I suppose, in general, I'd have to say agnostics. But I tend to give respect to individuals, not groups.

Answer 2

I respect both convictions. But I think I would have more in common with an agnostic. Of course, they are more open-minded, as you say, but there is something else.

An agnostic and a theist have both (most likely) had some kind of "religious" or "spiritual" experience which has touched their hearts, and therefore caused them to believe in "something". Or this spiritual experience has strengthened their belief of a greater Being, God, Creator, whatever. It has moved them, at least temporarily, away from the wordly things, and given them a glimpse of another reality.

Therefore the theist (regardless of religion) and the agnostic have both shared similar journeys of the heart, and can appreciate what the other believes in as a result of this. It is of less importance that they have travelled down different spiritual paths -- more important is that they have both made the journey, to some extent.

An atheist has by definition never taken steps upon this spiritual path. He also denies that such a thing exists. This erases the possiblity of sharing this mutual experience with a theist. A theist and an atheist can discuss religious matters in terms of fundaments of beliefs, "do´s and don´ts" etc., but they cannot share the spritual possibilties that religion has to offer.

Answer 3

I imagine it is different from theist to theist.

It is funny you ask this. I was very struck by Yann Martel's "Life of Pi," in which he is quite mocking of agnostics. And at the same time, when he portrays an atheist and a muslim with the same name observing animals at the zoo, he manages to illustrate an odd kind of kinship between the two men.

"Life of Pi" seems to suggest that it is in fact the atheists and theists who are, despite the polar opposite position on the question, most alike.

That said, I have a great deal of sympathy for agnostics, having been one for fifteen years or so. We have so little information, from the realms of science, on why existence exists. We know that it exists, and we know a lot about that existence.

But why is there anything? There's a dearth of information on that question. Religion answers it only in mystical words that are hard to validate, and yet a completely atheistic outlook offers no resolution at all.

I think agnostics can be right to find the existential question one challenging enough; with a mystery that great, I can understand why they would be in no hurry to take a position.

Answer 4

I did an expiriment on yahoo answers in July and in the details of every single question i put the following:

I'm an agnostic and not wanting to change anyones religious beliefs,

when I did that I got actual real answers from everyone.

The current position I now take is that of Strong Atheism, which is what I really am, and am pretty much told by religious theists how I need to read the bible and believe in jesus christ, no more intelligent discussion of the issues

Answer 5

Atheists are very accepting of evidence, and if any showed up to prove that a god or gods existed, the vast majority of them would become believers in a heartbeat, myself included.

Yes, we take a "firm stand," which is the only logical 'stand' to take when there is ZERO evidence. The god hypothesis is NOT a 50/50 coin flip probability, or else all the atheists would be agnostics.

Answer 6

Many(notice I didn't say all) have zero respect for atheists. I simply state my opinions and ask questions and get slaughtered for doing so. We are willing to look at the logic, I just need proof before i can believe in anything.

The agnostics are left alone, though I am not sure why. You would think they would like to convince agnostics to join them. That however does not seem to be the case.

Answer 7

It depends on the person and their attitude. But I tend to respect the position of Agnostics more, because they are willing to entertain the possibility of things outside the known. I also respect people of faith more who are willing to admit that at times they have doubt, or that their particular religion doesn't have the corner on THE TRUTH.

Answer 8

i dont respect quitters myself.i could ask you to ask yourself these questions i had saved from years back.from an unknown writer
1) how much knowledge do you think mankind now have in the world out of all the knowledge that can be known 0% to 100%???
2)how much of this knowledge do you think you know personally?? 0% to 100%
3)Do you think it's possible that God could reveal himself to you through the remaining knowledge that you gain ?? yes or no
(The average person when asked admits to having only a small percentage of the available knowledge)
give yourself a true test

Answer 9

I have no respect for either belief set, but it doesn't make a difference on what an individual is. All I ask is that those who are agnostics or atheists to quit being such missionaries and so insulting.

Answer 10

I respect everything existing, seen or unseen, feel or unfeel. Every different god I can acept and respect. Everything differently and everything are the same and equally. such as wind will not blame river, tree will not blame wind. The flower drops to the ground and it make the leaves grow next year. Every bad thing can change to good thing. We know the result, we know the usage. Poison can be changed to medicine.