What is so wrong with admitting you don't know?

Question

What happens after you die? I don't know. I can tell you what I think, but that's just an opinion.

Do god(s) exist? I don't know. I am an atheist, so I don't believe that gods exist. But I never claimed to be 100%, or right for that matter.

As humans, we don't know a lot of things, why can't we just "not know" the answers to these questions. Admit that your opinion is just that. If you want to explain why you believe, that's great. But how can anyone claim to have it right when there are so many opinions out there?

What's wrong with admitting that you really don't know.

Answer 1

What if there was a way of knowing, of which you had no knowledge?

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with admitting you just don't know.
Wouldn't it be better to have a little knowledge if some one could guide you in a way that makes sense?
The mistake many people make is they associate Religion with the bible, but its also a history book,and can gives us a insight on knowledgeable things, for example 3500 years ago man believed in the flat earth theory,but the bible said it was round? Point! How did some guy know that it was round, who told him? Isa 40:22
There are more things, but here's the point, If the bible proves to be accurate and truthful, then when the flood of Noah's day came and destroyed all the people that just didn't know, what a terrible feeling they must of had? all they had to do was listen, understand, and get into that ark. then they would of survived.
If you have any questions just ask.
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Answer 3

I think that admitting that you don't know is a really wonderful thing.

I don't see any reason to expect to continue after death.

If I do persist after death, well, the possibilities are wide open. A beer volcano and stripper factory are at least as likely as floating on a cloud wearing a halo or writhing in agony in a lake of fire.

Or maybe I'll come back as something (a cat, please...), or become one with the totality of existence (whatever the hell that means).

Or maybe it'll be like that time that Homer Simpson popped into the three dimensional world, except that for me it'll be four spatial dimensions.

Or maybe I'll relive the life I've already lived, including all of those Grateful Dead concerts, I hope.

It there is something after death, it'll probably be even weirder than anything that anyone has ever imagined.

Answer 4

None of us know - that's what faith is for. I have my personal beliefs, but I can't claim that they are 100% true. I can say that they are 100% right and good for me. Noone else, just me. Someone may believe something that's almost the same, but there will be some difference somewhere. Why? Because we are all individuals and we work out our own beliefs as we grow.

Answer 5

What's wrong with admitting that we don't know?

I don't know.

Anyway, there are tons of opinions out there. I tend to follow evidence. With enough linking evidence, a person can make an informed choice or decision. Lee Strobel tells how he persued information. Read "Case for Christ" and you can see the tough questions he asked. He was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune and also had a degree in law. He was firm on evolution seeing it as more than just a theory. Well, read the book and see for yourself. Try EBay or a local Christian bookstore.

Answer 6

I have to be honest here
I am pretty certain that I know there is an afterlife
but that is only due to my own personal experiences and wouldnt expect anyone to believe without the same experiences I have had
so to deny that would be denying myself

however
as for God
I believe there is a God .... only due to these experiences
so it is surrounding evidence for me that God exists
I do not know what or who God is , and would not claim to
and I would not claim my way is the only way

Answer 7

I agree with you ...the fundamentalists are afraid to admit they do not have all of the answers.

Eventhough, they should ackowledge that God is the only ultimate authority on scripture, this world, or anything else...the fundies go around pretending to have all of the answers...and speaking in such absolutes as if they were God.

I think they are weak in their faith...and if they admit that they do not know...it will crumble the basis for their beliefs.

Answer 8

Absolutely nothing.

A lot of theists seem to have a problem with this though and insist on pushing their god into the answer. Their problem is that after a while science comes up with the real answer so these theists start kicking and screaming and crying 'Is Not' and then claim you are oppressing them by 'forcing' reality on to them.

Answer 9

Nothing wrong. Many think it a weakness to even admit that they do not know, so will go to some extends to hide that. I think it's a sign of civilisation when you can say you don't know.

It is a sign of strenght and of insight. Didn't the great philosophers already say it... the wisest man is the man who knows he doesn't know anything.

But what do I know !

Answer 10

There's a 'weird' energy flowing in some of us...it's there for a reason.

Man and womankind will always want to know and will keep asking questions. That will never end...atheist or not. We are questioning critters!

The 'mystery' and marvels of this life continue to dance in front of us. They beg for answers!

Answer 11

Reverand C. An Athiest is sure there is no God you dear friend are an Agnsotic as if it matters. We who believe in the atonement provided by Christ accept this by faith but through faith comes revelation of God.