Atheists, what do you think about agnostics?

Question

Many people tend to consider atheists and agnostics allmost the same, but in my opinion they are not. I am wondering stil, how agnostics are looked by atheists, what is your opinion on someone who thinks a higher power could exist, yet without making clear statements as if he knew for sure?

handful: for all I know agnostics don't accept a higher power, they just say there is no way to know if there is one or if there isn't

Answer 1

Agnostic here....Actually most physicists do believe in a god but it is not the personal god as in the bible. It is more so the laws of the universe. I don't believe in absolutes like athiests or theists and I would rather keep an open mind.

But unlike most Xtians, I don't go around imposing my beliefs on others...

Answer 2

I consider them as they are on the right track but are just one step short of truth.

By recognizing a higher power and saying existing religions do not matter, actually you are starting one new religion (belief) of /for yourself. Look back in history ...all the founders of a new religion have done the same. They accepted a higher power suitable for there individual needs and then rejected all other existing religions (proclaiming their own belief as authentic)

So agnostics, you are not different from them.

only because you have no definite answers for some questions dose not mean that there is someone orchestrating the happenings around you.

If you really look deeper you will find killings of thousands in earth-quakes, natural calamities could well be attributed to that higher power. If he is the creator can he be so cruel in annihilating his own creation in the most merciless manner.

You may please climb the last step. Welcome to TRUTH.

Of course it is a gradual process and I respect whatever thought process an agnostic person goes through.

Answer 3

I commend anyone who is using their mind independently and thinking freely. This can be found in almost any group, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists and Agnostics. In my experience, almost all Agnostics are thinking for themselves. The same can be said for Atheists. Many major religions, however, have a large number of people not thinking for themselves. So if I have to comment on Agnostics as a whole, I would have to say that I completely respect and commend their belief. I would be more apprehensive about saying this about other religious groups, for the reasons I gave.

Answer 4

They really know that God doesn't exist just as an atheist knows this but they also know there is no more a way to prove God does not exist than there is a way to prove God does exist... despite Gods existence being equally as likely as Bertrand Russell's celestial teapot's existence.
Based on the lack of evidence the likelihood of a celestial teapot existing or not isn't 50-50, it's more like 99.999999999999999(ad infinitum) against, it's the same for God.
As an atheist I know God does not exist just as I know the celestial teapot does not exist...why do agnostics have a problem deciding?...I don't know, maybe they aren't sure whether fairies and pixies exist or not either.

Answer 5

"someone who thinks a higher power could exist," That is not agnosticism. It is a specific form of agnosticism (agnostic theist.)

I am agnostic atheist. I believe god is unknowable but based on the available information and my mind have decided it is very unlikely. "I don't know but I don't think so." You do not have to be one or the other. In fact they work along in perfect harmony and for the most part I think agnostics and atheists should be grouped together. The very fact that agnostics question and doubt makes them much more comparable with atheists then theists.

Answer 6

I consider Agnostic a passive form of Atheism.

The idea "god is possible but I will not believe unless proof is given" well I guess I could say that as well. But I don't believe in god whatsoever so I am firmly Atheist. If undeniable evidence was show in the contrary I would become a theist.

Answer 7

It is mostly a philosophical difference. We look at the lack of any evidence for a god and say that lack of evidence is proof that there isn't one. They look at it and say they can't tell.

I personally think that means that you can never dismiss anything, no matter how absurd. For that to be a really consistent position you need to be an agnostic about faeries and leprechauns too.

But still, we have way more common ground than differences.

Answer 8

There are two kinds of agnostics

Type 1) Says I don't know... so I'm just going to sit in-between

Type 2) Says I can't prove "no god can exist", and its not too incredibly crazy to consider a higher being could exist.

I'm atheist, but I'll say I'm agnostic if we're talking type 2

Answer 9

in my opinion an Agnostic is an Atheist in that they don't hold a positive belief that a god exists.. they (agnostics) are not willing to declare that there is no god, because they don't feel there is enough evidence to make such a claim..

Atheists put the god question in the same category with the orbiting teapot, pink unicorns etc...

Answer 10

I have no specific thoughts about them. I was agnostic for many years while I was trying to figure out if I believed in God or not. Typically I think agnostic is a transition phase.