2007-10-28 02:58:28 · 19 answers · asked by I'm an Atheist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whenever a poll is taken... one of the choices is atheist/agnostic
2007-10-28 03:06:24 · update #1
Because some theists have an "us" vs. "them" mentality. If you don't believe the same as them, you're one of the "others." They include atheists, agnostics, pagans, etc..
2007-10-28 03:05:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Agnosticism IS a definite category separate from both theists and atheists and should be treated as such. Its just that Agnostics are a bit more sensible than the other two categories and don't get as abusive and indignant in their arguments .
It IS the most rational and scientific standpoint to take: ie to wait for evidence one way or the other before making any judgment on how the beginnings of life occurred.
There is a scientific area for this study by the way known as Abiogenesis about how life may have developed from non living matter, but this is certainly not properly understood at all by scientists.
By the way Atheists, for you information Richard Dawkins has admitted that if pushed, he would as a scientist have to admit he was an agnostic.
Being agnostic means you do not get drawn in to the ludicrous US and THEM arguments of the Atheists and Theists where intelligence and common courtesy often fly out of the window.
Religion and science have always had strong mutual links . Newton the founding father of much of modern science was an incredibly religious man spending hours studying scriptures and prophecies and yet it is HE who discovered some of the fundamental laws modern scientists rely on nowadays. He was a TRUE scientist , infinitely more intelligent and important than Dawkins and he believed profoundly in a Creator force (In fact it could be argued that it was his beliefs that drove forward all of his studies)
Agnostics are not sitting on the fence they just don't use the simplistic, aggressive arguments that people who define themselves as either 'Theists' or 'Atheists' use.
Many great scientists are religious and many religious people wholly support modern science the .Its the fundamentalists on each side that cause ALL the problems.
2007-10-28 10:59:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Agnosticism is not a "middle ground". Many people attempt to characterize agnosticism as a midpoint on some imaginary continuum between atheism and theism. Even if such a continuum could be constructed, agnosticism does not belong anywhere on it.
Atheism and theism are positions on belief. Agnosticism is a position on the nature of knowledge. All agnostics are either atheists or theists, depending on whether or not they believe in the existence of G/god(s), as a matter of definition.
2007-10-28 10:11:12 · answer #3 · answered by marbledog 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because those who attempt to clump them together have absolutely no understanding of what the words Agnostic and Atheist mean.
I've even heard people say you can get Agnostic Theists, and Agnostic Atheists.
DUH, Look up the definitions people.
2007-10-28 10:10:36 · answer #4 · answered by Zappster (Deep Thunker) 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A truly logical Atheist should deep down be an Agnostic. Science is about accepting all possibilities and coming with the best conclusion possible. To completely discount anything is limited thinking.
2007-10-28 10:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It ISN'T a middle ground--it's something else entirely. Agnosticism has to do with whether one thinks the existence of a god or gods can be proven or not--it has nothing to do with believing or not believing in a god or gods.
Agnositicism is not mutually exclusive of either theism or atheism. I myself am an agnostic atheist.
2007-10-28 10:04:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's significantly easier to categorize agnostics with atheists for Christians, as many consider them to be one and the same. I've seen it numerous times on this board.
2007-10-28 10:10:51 · answer #7 · answered by Deke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference can be pretty subtle for someone who isn't either atheist or agnostic, and who hasn't spent some time thinking about the question. From a believer's perspective, both are just "people who don't believe in God".
2007-10-28 10:02:05 · answer #8 · answered by Don Adriano 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because of the old saying, "If you're not with me, you're against me."
That is for any religion, if you're not one, you're the other, and if you're not any, you're agnostic/atheist. I'm only assuming that's why. Hope this makes sense and helps! ^_^
2007-10-28 10:08:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it just indicates the level of commitment..
neither atheist or agnostics have committed to a belief in God.
2007-10-28 10:19:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋