2007-10-16 11:00:37 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The same.
The only difference is one has come to a conclusion, the other has decided they can not come to a conclusion (which in itself is a conclusion).
In either case both are willing to hear and consider new information.
2007-10-16 11:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dark-River 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Unless an agnostic is also a theist then they are by definition an atheist. The two are not exclusive. So while I'm not certain who is more of a free-thinker I would say the most confused may be the agnostic who is not or thinks they are not an atheist.
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"atheists think they know the answers."
Jeff, you've misdefined atheist. The word simply means without theism. It is religiously neutral.
"They dont stick blindly to athiest dogma."
Rich, there is no atheistic dogma. The word simply means without theism. It is religiously neutral.
"why do athiest try to disprove a god they dont beleive exists"
TiBarbie, you're generalizing the single commonality of atheists is being without theism. I don't try to disprove god so your statement falls apart. There is nothing there is nothing about the word that implies disproving anything.
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2007-10-16 11:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Demetri w 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Probably wrong to generalise, there are freethinking atheists and agnostics as well as theists. There are also many closed minded people from mant walks of life.
2007-10-16 11:05:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say that if you're a freethinker AND you have intellectual standards, then you've got to be an atheist.
Otherwise you're the kind of wormy freethinker who is willing to concede (for example) that maybe there's something to astrology because so many people believe.
2007-10-16 11:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by Ruel The Midianite 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. By freethinker, could one imply open-minded?
In that case, my vote would be for the agnostic, as he/she is open to multiple possibilities.
I love my Atheist friends, but some of them are a little too rigid in their lack of a belief in some higher power. ;)
2007-10-16 11:06:50 · answer #5 · answered by magicalpossibilities 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Agnostics
2007-10-16 11:03:50 · answer #6 · answered by Zifikos 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Confessing to a bias toward agnosticism, I would think agnostics would be more inclined to entertain varying points of view. Agnostics are not uncomfortable with uncertainty, and do not require "absolute" knowledge of the non-existence or existence of divine beings.
If I may add, to TiBarbie, a review of spelling would not harm you in the least.
2007-10-16 11:06:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists. We apply our critical thinking skills evenhandedly.
Agnostics' problem is that they're not very good at dealing with uncertainty - they tend to fall for the same black-and-white thinking that believers do (the "if it's not proven to be false, we can't say anything about whether or not it's true" thing). Atheists don't insist on 100% certainty for knowledge. That's consistent with science in general, of course.
2007-10-16 11:11:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists.
2007-10-16 11:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by S K 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely agnostics.
2007-10-16 11:12:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Agnostics of course! However, I have to admit that I'm biased so you shouldn't accept my answer as being good data. Still love my atheist brethren though!
2007-10-16 11:07:19 · answer #11 · answered by average person Violated 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋