What do you think of agnosticism and atheism?

Question

I know they are two completely different things.

take the question however you'd like to!
I just want opinions.
I am agnostic by the way.

Answer 1

"Agnostics are atheists with no balls."
--Stephen Colbert--


Hey,... his words, not mine.
I realized that, for me, it was unsatisfying just to say, "I don't know."
I've checked out both sides, and atheism is the only logical conclusion.

Answer 2

Agnosticism is a philosophical position on knowledge which states that the existence of a god cannot be known, is inherently unknowable, and/or will never be known.

It has nothing to do with belief, and is not a position on the spectrum of belief.

Atheism is a lack of belief in a god or gods.

I do not "know" there is no god, nor do I think that anyone does or will in the foreseeable future. However, since I have no evidence of any such being, I don't believe in one.

That makes me an agnostic atheist.

I think that people use the word, "agnostic," to mean something other than it actually is far too often.

Answer 3

A theist is a person who believes there is a god. An atheist is a person who is not a theist. If your answer to this question - Do you believe there is a god? - is anything but yes...you're an atheist.

Agnostic comes from the Greek word gnosis meaning "to know." Agnosticism deals with knowledge, atheism deals with belief. An agnostic says that they are without knowledge of a god (not the concepts, but an actual god). An atheist doesn't believe there are any gods. I'm an agnostic atheist.

Answer 4

I urge anyone with any mental capacity to try them on for size. You don't have to do anything! They are the "default" beliefs. When you are born, unless brought up in a religious family you will have no reason to turn to religion.This is assuming you have a decent education. I don't see why more religious people give them a try, oh yea , don't the "holy books" threaten the lives of those who question blind dogmatic faith? The counterargument is since a lot of religious people don't take all verses literally why not decide to take this metaphorically and not be scared of the consequences?(the threats against reason or any other religion as opposed to the one you are born into)

Answer 5

I think that anything that removes stumbling blocks to true learning and understanding is a good thing.

Atheism removes the biggest stumbling block to science: that whole mind-set of "God did it." "I don't know" is a much better answer, because it gives a starting point for seeking the truth.

I'm indifferent to agnosticism, as long as it's accompanied by a healthy dose of intellectual curiosity.

Answer 6

I think agnosticism and atheism are pretty awesome! Nothing wrong with not believing higher power does not exist (at least in my mind).

Answer 7

Agnostics acknowledge the possibility of some god existing, while we atheists have no belief in any gods, and basically consider their existence as not being a reasonable premise.

Answer 8

Everyone's agnostic.

Atheism is just as ... incomprehensible to me as theism. Theists try too hard to be spiritual, athiests try too hard to be real.

Agnostic = not 100% sure. Which is the most realistic answer out there. I am content with realism. You guys live your dreamworlds.

How can anyone be sure about these matters?

"I have felt God's presence."

So have crazy people, without actually feeling God's presence. I'm not saying YOU, as a spiritual person, are crazy — nor am I claiming God doesn't exist. I'm saying there is an element of doubt (in this case, a crazy person) that means, logically, we are all unsure.

Edit: Go ahead, give me all the thumbs down you guys want. I don't care if no one accepts my answer. Not for myself, anyway... though it saddens me to see that people aren't genuinely happy, in and of themselves, without needing some external motivation (desire of heaven, fear of hell).

I have known some very happy atheists because they tend more to "sieze the day" than theists.... but still, I feel that atheism, to be bluntly honest, is just as foolish.

I just wish I could find someone else who understood like I did. I am sooo happy with my life. You know why? *Because I take responsibility for reality.*

One day I may disappear into nothing. I am okay with that. One day I may speak with God. I am okay with that too.

If it's the latter, well, He gave me this mind, and I'm going to use it to think. Not foolishly delude myself into believing something I cannot know for sure. If He's there, well, He's looking into my mind and seeing what I see... and He cannot possibly think I am a bad person for thinking this.

If I were Him I wouldn't respect the blind believers as much.

Answer 9

Since I'm agnostic, I suppose I think it's pretty good? I'm not sure I get the question.

Answer 10

Are they? Do Agnostics have a belief in God(s)? If not, that makes them _____?

I think they are both reasonable.

Answer 11

I think agnosticism is thoughtful but perhaps a bit too generous towards the god concept as being logically possible.

I think atheism is the only logical conclusion.