When theist and atheist debates, where do agnostics usually takes side with? Which do they most skeptics about: science or religion?
2007-07-02 11:42:39 · 22 answers · asked by 8theist 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
that depends on the Agnostic in question. I tend to side with the Atheists because I tend to share their values more. That's not true for all, but it is for me.
2007-07-02 11:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I was an agnostic for ten years only because I didn't really know what the word meant. A friend of mine recently described agnostics as "believing in a god but not religion." That is not an agnostic, but a deist. I have just recently begun to call myself an atheist because I do not believe in or worship a deity. That does not mean that I am 100% sure that there is no god or divine power. It just means that the evidence is lacking. Agnostics prefer to situate themselves on the fence because they are afraid of making the believer's error: making a decision based on "faith." To argue for or against the existence of god without concrete knowledge or evidence seems to some people equivalent to faith. Faith god is, faith god is not.
Atheism is the LACK of faith, the lack of belief, the lack of deism, the lack of religion. It is not a faith or belief or religion in and of itself.
When more agnostics realize this they will come to the atheist's side, just as I have done.
2007-07-03 01:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In terms of logic, we side with neither, though we will take a side if they see logical contradictions.
In terms of lifestyle, we are essentially atheists. We must live as if there is no God because we understand not only that God may not exist, but that an infinite number of possibilities for what "God" is exists.
I believe both theists and atheists are deluded when it comes to logic, and that agnostic theists and agnostic atheists are confused. If you fully understand that there is no evidence, how can you lean to one side?
Keep in mind that this is just about God, not science and religion. Presumably, agnostics accept science because of its logic. Anyone might say that the only certainty is, "I think, therefore I am," but if one establishes ONLY this, it is impossible to live. I do not believe it is even possible to deny everything but the idea of "I am."
So: neutral until evidence is presented that can be interpreted.
Edit:
Super Freak: How narrow-minded. Your personal experiences are not the experiences of everyone else. I do not fear Hell; I simply see no evidence. The supernatural need not show itself to us to exist. I am satisfied with that.
I HAVE made my choice: uncertainty. It is more valid than a mere belief...
2007-07-02 19:06:08 · answer #3 · answered by Skye 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are two kinds of agnostics. Technically they are people who don't believe that the existence of god cannot be proved or disproved as long as we are alive. Then there are a large number of people who simply aren't sure about the existence of god and call themselves agnostics. The first kind would stay out of the debate entirely. People in the second group vary from almost sure that god doesn't exist, to almost sure that he does, so some will take the atheist side, and others will take the religious side. I fall into the second group smack center, so I can take either side, it just depends on the circumstances.
2007-07-02 18:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by scintillator 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am agnostic and I side with atheists because I lean toward no God, but I'm unsure. I agree with most of the atheist views though. I also agree when atheists state that they are smarter than religious people.
to Super freak below: I am not on the fence because I'm afraid I won't go to heaven. IF there is a God, I certainly don't believe it's the God of the bible or Christianity which means if they are correct, I wouldn't go to "hell" anyway. I just can't say for sure whether or not there is a greater power. I think all religions think themselves to be correct and I don't think any of them actually know anything!
2007-07-02 18:46:32 · answer #5 · answered by Heidi K 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A good Agnostic, Listens to Everyone.
Science and Religion are Not Mutually Exclusive. There can Be a God, that set up the Universe's Physical Laws.
2007-07-02 18:48:52 · answer #6 · answered by wonderland.alyson 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One doesn't "skeptic." That's a noun. One may be skeptical, or be a skeptic, but one cannot "skeptic." That's rather like asking a driver how he engines.
Agnostics, since they are not convinced that either theists or atheists are correct, do not take sides.
Agnostics are willing to live in the question, without recourse to the comforts of certainty offered by either side.
2007-07-02 19:04:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Neutral. I've seen agnostic theists, agnostic atheists and those who claim to be neither (though technically if you lack belief in god because of an unwillingness or inability to believe in one then one is an atheist.)
2007-07-02 18:44:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was debating with my friend and well other friend who is an agnostic just sat there eating popcorn watching us...
*sigh* you think we'd go together... agnostic and atheists... but alas agnostics seem to be neutral...
2007-07-02 18:47:05 · answer #9 · answered by Highlander 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the agnostic.
All agnostics, whether they admit/like it or not, are atheists - they do not believe.
Not all atheists are agnostics; some claim to be able to prove a deity (most common, usually the Christian one) or all deities do not exist.
Some, unfortunately, hide behind the word agnostic because they feel it is softer.
2007-07-02 18:47:10 · answer #10 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋