The derived Greek meaning of the word isn't that flattering...
Should it be changed to something else so it doesn't seem that Agnostic people are unintelligent?
2007-12-14 22:50:29 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People have difficulty answering questions in a game asking "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?". How many people do you really think sit around contemplating the literal meaning of "agnostic"? I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist over it.
2007-12-14 22:56:28 · answer #1 · answered by detailgirl 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Without knowledge does not always mean that someone is unintelligent. Just that they are without the knowledge of a particular subject.
And on may things we may believe some answer to a question but we may not 'know' the answer as knowledge and belief are two separate things.
After all, I could be called agnositic about where it will rain tomorrow or not. I may have strong beliefs either way but I could not say I know if it will rain.
Ask a Theisit/gnostic (with little or big G) if there is a god(s) and they will say they know there is, ene iff such knowledge is based on faith.
Ask an atheist, and they will know there is no god.
But an agnistic may not know but are still looking for what ever backs up thier beliefs.
Finally Knowledge does not equate to intelligence.
The wisest man is he who knows he knows not....
2007-12-15 07:06:21 · answer #2 · answered by Blain C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think it fits perfectly. Too many people assume that Agnostics are fence-sitters, that is, they're not sure and give the chances of there being any Gods a 50/50. That's nonsense. A lot of Agnostics that I know do not believe there is a God or Gods. The reason they label themselves as Agnostic is because you are ultimately without proof that one does or does not exist. That is, without the knowledge.
2007-12-15 06:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by town_cl0wn 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Agnostic -A person who believes that the human mind cannot know whether there is a God or an ultimate cause,or anything beyond material phenomena--courtesy Webster's New World Dictionary.
He is not without brain,he who questions.....
2007-12-15 07:09:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well then, I guess that makes everyone an Agnostic. Just because someone "believes" something does not mean they have "knowledge". I don't feel it is unflattering at all, just an accurate description of everyone.
2007-12-15 08:33:41 · answer #5 · answered by Elphaba 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original meaning of "agnostic" was a person who considered the question "Is there a God?" unanswerable.
It has drifted in meaning in common usage to mean a person who is uncertain what the answer to the question is.
Which, if you think about, applies to most everybody.
2007-12-15 06:57:55 · answer #6 · answered by Hera Sent Me 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, of course not. It could also be translated as 'unknowing'. And that's a very good description of what agnosticism is: an agnostic does not claim to know if there is a god or not.
2007-12-15 07:20:17 · answer #7 · answered by garik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think agnostic doesn't mean much. No one can prove or disprove that God exists so we're all agnostics and so the word loses meaning.
I think we should use "rejectionist" instead of atheist and "rejectionist employing plausible deniability" for agnostic.
2007-12-15 07:09:23 · answer #8 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
I couldn't seem unintelligent if I tried.
I am "without knowledge" when it comes to "god".
So is everyone else on this planet.
2007-12-15 06:54:37 · answer #9 · answered by harshmistressmoon 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
How about "agthea" (without god)? I suppose a person with this view would be an "agtheaic" or "agtheaist."
2007-12-15 07:06:11 · answer #10 · answered by Gerald G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋