My friend is agnostic. She and I got to talking once, and she said that she prays. Correct me if I'm wrong (which I so often am)... and I'm not trying to make fun of anyone here... but don't agnostics not believe in the power of prayer? They just believe that there's something out there, right? And if they do believe in the power of praying, who (or what) do they pray to?
Again, I'm not trying to cause any offense here or be the onset of any sort of religious falling-out. I'm just wondering a little bit about how agnostics see things...
2007-11-17 19:35:32 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You can be an agnostic and still believe in God. Agnosticism, unlike atheism and theism, is not a belief but simply an acknowledgement that no one "knows" whether there is a God. You can admit you don't KNOW, but still be a believer.
2007-11-17 19:39:48 · answer #1 · answered by Huddy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm agnostic and I do pray to God or whoever is out there listening and watching over us. I prayed they/he would take my grandfather (who's been sick for two years) quickly and not let him suffer anymore, even though it would be hard on my family and a week later he passed.
My mom said he came to her in a dream and told her to tell the family not to cry and that if people on earth knew how beautiful heaven was they would be killing themselves left and right (and that sounds EXACTLY like something he would say.) This is the same guy who wrote his own obit and said "You can't spell funeral without FUN" horrible guy lol jk.
RIP Papa
November 7, 2007
BTW I think it's wonderful you actually ask questions instead of assuming or something.
2007-11-18 03:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Ani♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the agnostic.
Many agnostics are open towards religions and may partake in their rituals or customs. After all if it is the position of not being sure why not jump in the water and see what happens, either she/he will gain faith and and become religious, not find anything and become atheistic, or still not be sure and remain an agnostic.
2007-11-18 03:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Agnosticism has a variety of meanings. In this case, you probably have someone who either believes and denies the ability to know for certain, or someone who wants to believe and doesn't know if anyone's listening. See agnostic theism.
2007-11-18 04:10:40 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are confusing theism with gnosticism.
Agnosticism isn't a third choice between theism and atheism.
You can be one of four things:
Theistic gnostic - you believe in and you know that there is a god, you 'get it'
theistic agnostic - you believe in god but say that his power is unknowable. You have faith.
atheistic agnostic - You don't believe in god/You haven't thought about it/ it makes no influence on you. you don't know.
atheistic gnostic - doesn't believe and knows there is no god.
It sounds like your friend is a theistic agnostic.
2007-11-18 03:48:09 · answer #5 · answered by heidavey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm agnostic myself but it's not due to a dislike of religion itself. In my case, its more because of a lack of personal interest. I have never found a religion that I felt was right for me and I'm not one of those who likes to pick and choose which parts of a religion to follow. Those people are inconsistent and hypocritical.
2007-11-18 03:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by RoVale 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If there is something out there, then praying to "whatever" is in theory better than not praying to "whatever."
2007-11-18 03:38:33 · answer #7 · answered by SDW 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's called hedging your bets.
Waste of time if you ask me.....and you did.
Thanks.
2007-11-18 03:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You friend is a poser. Tell her to take that crap to church.
2007-11-18 03:45:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋