First, on agnosticism.
Agnosticism is not a fence-sitter, nor are they wishy-washy. They most definately are not trying to decide whether or not the christian god is real. In my case, I in no way believe in the christian god. I am agnostic because I don't write off the concept of god(s) completely. As far as world religions go, I'm more atheist than anything.
Second, on atheism.
Atheism is not a religion. It requires no ritual, no worship. Some do "preach" it with religious zeal, but that's fighting fire with fire. You can thank religion for that, because without theists, atheists would not exist.
And finally, for those of you that can't or won't look beyond your misconceptions, you're assuming way too much about both groups. And we all know what that does. We don't "know the truth but deny it." We don't "fear being held accountable for actions." We simply disagree with you, and are vocal about it because we have as much a right to our views as you do to yours.
2007-08-23 08:19:20 · 22 answers · asked by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The question is the title. See the question mark?
Now there's 2 questions here.
2007-08-23 08:24:10 · update #1
Interestingly enough, some of the responses I'm seeing are showing resentment for those "evangelizing" atheism and what not.
How is that any different than being preached at by christians? Both sides have their pushy individuals. We dislike the pushy religious as much as you dislike the pushy atheists. Why are we not allowed the same right to speak out about our belief without being labeled hypocrites?
2007-08-23 08:35:21 · update #2
Thank you for the clarification. I myself already understood, but then again, I'm an atheist with several agnostic friends. For a while I was agnostic as well, but I lean more toward atheism because I believe that if man can create anything, anything else that creates anything does not necessarily have to be a god, but can simply be a higher form of life. It wouldn't have to be omnipotent to create life on this planet, and there's no reason to believe that only ONE thing created all that is. I believe that we're no more aware or enlightend about what created all there is through belief in a god than a new born baby is aware of how it was created. It may think that since it's mom gave birth to it, it came from it's mom, but the reality is that BOTH it's parents had a hand in making it, as did it's grandparents before them.
2007-08-23 08:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You may try.
Some agnostics are quite wishy-washy.
I would not call you an agnostic, but an atheist.
My differentiation:
If you are not sure whether you believe in gods or not (whichever ones you are considering), then you are an agnostic.
If you don't believe in god(s), but accept that you may be wrong (like yourself), you are atheist because, technically, you do not believe in gods.
I fully admit that there might be a god out there somewhere. We can really never know. However, I am quite secure in saying they do not exist. I do not believe in them. Thus, I am an atheist.
2007-08-23 15:32:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem with atheists, or agnostics. What I have a problem with are anti-theists. These are the ones who proseletyze their religion of No God, and try to force other religions to believe and practice the way they do. These are the ones who are trying to outlaw prayer in school, remove the words "under God" from our pledge, etc. They call themselves atheists, but then why do they proseletyze?
2007-08-23 15:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We can thank religion for atheists fighting fire with fire? Isn't imitating a form of complimenting?
2007-08-23 15:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by monte54que 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, you can't and in fact did not clarify anything.
Your attempt at justification of the hypocrisy of atheists evangelizing for their "non-religion" is noted though and I am sure you believe it sounds reasonable.
2007-08-23 15:29:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think Yahoo! has a section for this....hold on....it'll come to me...
BLOGS! That was it...blogs. Considering this is not a question, and is not an answer to a question (hence, the answer was not asked for)....I think this belongs there.
(F.y.i - if you merely disagreed and didn't have a desire to convert, this statement wouldn't exist now would it?)
2007-08-23 15:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by Basil 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Joe, you lost me when you denied the only true living God, Jesus Christ. Everything else was pointless.
2007-08-23 15:32:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
"I am agnostic because I don't write off the concept of god(s) completely."
In other words, a fence-sitter.
2007-08-23 15:25:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well then, good luck, I hope it works out for you in the end.
2007-08-23 15:30:57 · answer #9 · answered by Gummy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, you have the right to disagree.
But I have no misconceptions about atheists or agnostics. i know several. What's your point?
2007-08-23 15:23:26 · answer #10 · answered by Graham 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋