agnosticism?

Question

Okay, so for a while now, i've been trying to figure out my religion. Here's what i believe:
*good chance that there is no god
*but there still might be
*religion is basically just: believe in god, or burn in hell, and i think that's completly messed up.
*it's very controlling
*i beleive in evolution
*but, i do have a very open mind to all religions
help?
what am i?!

Answer 1

you're "Agnostic." You still believe that there is a higher being, but aren't quit ready to "put all your eggs in one basket", so to speak. You're still in the deciding stage in terms of your faith.
If you were an "Atheist" you'd completely disregard any ideas of a higher being. You'd be completely without religion. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think of agnosticism as meaning that you posit that it cannot be known whether a god or gods exist. You can certainly call yourself one, and others may do the same, but I would just say you are undecided.

You're right about evolution. Some of us have looked into it, and it is a certainty.

To me, "religion" is a pejorative term - basically it's a cop-out explanation for why someone believes some idea that they cannot justify. So many people use the cop-out, it has become socially acceptable. They even pretend it's a positive quality; by giving it a new name, "faith", they maintain that it is justified to believe in the unjustifiable in their one special case.

Answer 3

Agnostic, definitely.
Just because you think there's a "good chance" that there is no god, doesn't make you an Atheist - especially since you followed that up with the fact that you believe god may exist.

Considering you're very open minded to all religions, but don't know whether or not god exists, I would definitely say you were Agnostic.

As wikipedia states: "Agnosticism (from the Greek a, meaning "without", and Gnosticism or gnosis, meaning knowledge) means unknowable, and is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims—particularly theological claims regarding metaphysics, afterlife or the existence of God, god(s), or deities..."

Answer 4

You are still searching, and that's fine. Don't be in a hurry to pigeonhole yourself.

I should point out that these:

"*religion is basically just: believe in god, or burn in hell, and i think that's completly messed up.
*it's very controlling"

don't apply to all religions. Check out any of the thousands of other religions, from Buddhism to Wicca, many of which do not have either of these issues.

Nothing wrong with believing in evolution. The notion that one must reject evolution if one is to be religious is held by a small (although extremely vocal) minority, worldwide.

Answer 5

Yep, that fits the bill. You're not an atheist because you are not closed to religion-- you're open while doubting it.

It's cool that you're open minded and care about spirituality and want to know what is true and not true. Sounds like you have a good idea of the bad things people do with religion and are more interested in finding out what the heart of those faiths is in reality. It's also great that you want to know what YOU believe rather than just picking up on what others believe. I wish you the best on your search.

Answer 6

Agnostic. However, if you're asking the question, it sounds as if you're really looking to get a better idea of where (if anywhere) you belong in a religious sense.

Most religions agree with evolution (including the vast majority of Christians). Good religions don't tell you what to do. I'd recommend doing some more reading about religion and talking with some folks from a variety of religions, as well as with atheists and people with non-traditional spirituality to get a more balanced view of what religion really is.

Answer 7

I would say you're an atheist. From what I understand, an agnostic is someone who believes that God's existence cannot ultimately be known. An atheist is someone who lacks a belief in God or actively believes that God doesn't exist.

Your allowance for the possibility of God's existence doesn't make you an agnostic, just a reasonable atheist.

Answer 8

"*religion is basically just: believe in god, or burn in hell, and i think that's completly messed up."

Since that's not accurate, I think you need to do more reading and studying.

There's a lot more out there than Christianity.

Answer 9

those that say you are an atheist, think THEY are, and are afraid to be alone...you are not an atheist, not a rare, medium-well, or well done. You are a sunny side up, non arrogant, agnostic. I think you are better than an atheist and better than a learn or burn, bible thumper...keep your mind thinking free cause you don't have to be owned or told what to think by any religion.

Answer 10

Agnostic Atheist, otherwise known as weak atheism as opposed to strong atheism which denies that there is a God.

My view is similar-I believe that there is no God because God is so incredibly unlikely-but there is the tiniest chance I could be wrong.