Agnostics most logical/rational, a rebuttal?

Question

There are two forms of Agnosticism; 1) Weak – we do not currently have the means and/or information to say whether or not a deity exists, and 2) Strong – we can not in principle ever say whether or not a deity exists.

Atheism also comes in two forms; 1) Strong – there is no deity, and 2) Weak – I lack a belief in a deity, but make no absolute claim (scientific Atheism falls here).

Agnostics of any form have no belief in a deity, and thus Agnosticism is a form of Weak Atheism. So, why do so many here seem to insist that Agnostics are more reasonable than Atheists? They are Atheists!

I'm not saying Agnostics are illogical, just not more logical because they hedge.

shaolt2002 -if you believe in a deity, you are a Theist. If not, an Atheist.

quantumkitty: the standard definition of "knowledge" for over 2300 years now has been "justified true belief" (with some caveats). Note the last word in that definition.

Answer 1

Your definitions are sound. It is not reasonable to claim that agnostics are more or less reasonable than atheists; both viewpoints are sound, based on the available evidence - of which none exists.

Answer 2

Bottom line is that I am an Agnostic as I believe that there may be a higher power, I don't rule it out. I don't have a religion as I believe that they are all man made.

I don't really see why there is a strong or weak to anything, that is your judgement and measurement.

** I also feel Space Pirates comments are ludicrous. Scared!!, I'm not scared to admit how I feel about it. I could quite easily type I totally believe or I totally don't, I don't have to prove anything to anyone, so to use the word scared, is as said, ludicrous.

Answer 3

I haven't seen anyone insist they're more reasonable.

The only people that will insist are probably theists, because atheists seem to piss them off the most and therefore are "unreasonable"

Edit: Lol at Space Pirate. Yes I'm afraid of a few keyboard warriors on the Internet. Oh nos.

Answer 4

Agnosticism is not about belief at all but about knowledge. Agnosticism means without knowledge of gods.

Atheism means without belief in gods.

One either believes in gods (theist ) or one doesn't (atheist ). There is no middle ground.

Knowledge is not dependent on belief:

From http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/knowledge:

Main Entry: knowl·edge
Pronunciation: \ˈnä-lij\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English knowlege, from knowlechen to acknowledge, irregular from knowen
Date: 14th century
1obsolete : cognizance
2 a (1): the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2): acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique b (1): the fact or condition of being aware of something (2): the range of one's information or understanding c: the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : cognition d: the fact or condition of having information or of being learned
3archaic : sexual intercourse
4 a: the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind barchaic : a branch of learning

Answer 5

i don't hedge. for me there are no deities, no imaginary super beings. however, i recognize that in the spiritual realities of others deities exist. if there is such a thing as an "afterlife" (however brief, like the time it takes for the brain to die) i can conceptualize everyone experiencing exactly what they expect, what they've cultivated in their imaginations via their religions.

i have no religious concepts that i expect to see manifest when i die because of this i'm hoping to experience what is REALLY "there" (if anything).

Answer 6

Agnosticism just means: "That it is wrong for a man to say he is certain of the objective truth of a proposition unless he can provide evidence which logically justifies that certainty." (Huxley, who invented the word). That's perfectly logical, and undeniably true.

Answer 7

I'm an agnostic and I think there is a God.

Answer 8

Or theyre just not sure...Husband is one of them and hes sweet and even baptized but it didnt take...However his annual appearance before the Lord happens Mon night...He loves me...im his only chance...If i cant help Him who can?

Answer 9

I couldn't agree with you more Agnostics are chickens in my opinion they are to scared to admit that they don't believe in God.