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I thought I would post it as some of the question that we see here are more what the Agnostic would ask, not the Atheist. I Googled "Agnostic" and found many interesting links. This is from Wilipedia. The entire article is worth reading, regardless of what or how you believe. This is only a small portion.
Quoting Wikipedia:
Agnosticism can be subdivided into several subcategories. Recently suggested variations include:
Strong agnosticism (also called hard agnosticism, closed agnosticism, strict agnosticism, absolute agnosticism)—the view that the question of the existence or nonexistence of an omnipotent God and the nature of ultimate reality is unknowable by reason of our natural inability to verify any experience with anything but another subjective experience. A strong agnostic would say "I don't know, and neither do you."
Weak agnosticism (also called mild agnosticism, soft agnosticism, open agnosticism, empirical agnosticism, temporal agnosticism)—the view that the existence or nonexistence of God or gods is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable, therefore one will withhold judgment until/if more evidence is available. A weak agnostic would say "I don't know, but maybe you do."
Apathetic agnosticism—the view that there is no proof of either the existence or nonexistence of God or gods, but since any God or gods that may exist appear unconcerned for the universe or the welfare of its inhabitants, the question is largely academic anyway. An apathetic agnostic would say, "I don't know, and who cares anyway?"
Model agnosticism—the view that philosophical and metaphysical questions are not ultimately verifiable but that a model of malleable assumption should be built upon rational thought. This branch of agnosticism does not focus on a deity's existence.
Agnostic theism (also called religious agnosticism)—the view of those who do not claim to know existence of God or gods, but still believe in such an existence. An agnostic theist would say "I don't know, but I think so."
Agnostic atheism—the view of those who do not know of the existence or nonexistence of God or gods, and do not believe in them. An agnostic atheist would say "I don't know, and I don't think so."
Interesting...I sometimes think the honest position for self-proclamed athiests should be agnosticism since athiests have no definable proof that God DOESN'T exist.
I considered myself to be an agnostic for a number of years when I was younger. At some point I realized that although I know you can't prove that God doesn't exist I had passed the point of questioning God's existence and was clearly in the atheist camp. I'm not surprised there are so many categories of agnosticism because it really covers a wide variety of people with differing points of view. Even someone who is deeply religious may go through a period of doubt when they're really questioning their faith. They may not like the word agnostic but it would certainly apply to their situation.
Even someone who is deeply religious may go through a period of doubt when they're really questioning their faith. They may not like the word agnostic but it would certainly apply to their situation.
I went through a period of searching and anger towards God and I think for a brief period of time I could have identified myself as agnostic...but something deep inside of me just knew God was real. I philosophically wanted there to be no God...but I couldn't deny what my heart told me.
I thought I would post it as some of the question that we see here are more what the Agnostic would ask, not the Atheist. I Googled "Agnostic" and found many interesting links. This is from Wilipedia. The entire article is worth reading, regardless of what or how you believe. This is only a small portion.
Quoting Wikipedia:
Agnosticism can be subdivided into several subcategories. Recently suggested variations include:
Strong agnosticism (also called hard agnosticism, closed agnosticism, strict agnosticism, absolute agnosticism)—the view that the question of the existence or nonexistence of an omnipotent God and the nature of ultimate reality is unknowable by reason of our natural inability to verify any experience with anything but another subjective experience. A strong agnostic would say "I don't know, and neither do you."
Weak agnosticism (also called mild agnosticism, soft agnosticism, open agnosticism, empirical agnosticism, temporal agnosticism)—the view that the existence or nonexistence of God or gods is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable, therefore one will withhold judgment until/if more evidence is available. A weak agnostic would say "I don't know, but maybe you do."
Apathetic agnosticism—the view that there is no proof of either the existence or nonexistence of God or gods, but since any God or gods that may exist appear unconcerned for the universe or the welfare of its inhabitants, the question is largely academic anyway. An apathetic agnostic would say, "I don't know, and who cares anyway?"
Model agnosticism—the view that philosophical and metaphysical questions are not ultimately verifiable but that a model of malleable assumption should be built upon rational thought. This branch of agnosticism does not focus on a deity's existence.
Agnostic theism (also called religious agnosticism)—the view of those who do not claim to know existence of God or gods, but still believe in such an existence. An agnostic theist would say "I don't know, but I think so."
Agnostic atheism—the view of those who do not know of the existence or nonexistence of God or gods, and do not believe in them. An agnostic atheist would say "I don't know, and I don't think so."
Actually, in "The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins described himself as an agnostic atheist leaning towards a view of atheism that there is proof God does not exist. I'd have to say that most self-described atheists probably fall in this category because just as you can't prove the boogeyman isn't in your closet you have a pretty rational understanding that he does not.
LOL Blue - that's what I was thinking! I hate all these labels and "definitions", especially when we're trying to define something that doesn't exist... whoa, that was pretty deep & existential. I call myself an Agnostic Jew when people ask, simply because they're requesting a label. But in reality, that means very little to me, and certainly doesn't guide my life or decisions. I proudly claim Judaism, as it is my culture, but don't see the need to name my specific beliefs. Does that make sense?
Makes a lot of sense Giz..I just call myself a "believer" That covers a lot of territory without a lot of explaining about which church or which christian doctrine I adhere to
Interesting...I sometimes think the honest position for self-proclamed athiests should be agnosticism since athiests have no definable proof that God DOESN'T exist.
Using your logic, that means that Christians should be agnostic as well since they have no definitive proof that God does exist.
All of the labeling is just silly. That is the problem with religion, everyone wants to put you in a neat box labeled as "X." I am thankful I am not part of it.
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Interesting...
I call myself an Agnostic Jew when people ask, simply because they're requesting a label. But in reality, that means very little to me, and certainly doesn't guide my life or decisions. I proudly claim Judaism, as it is my culture, but don't see the need to name my specific beliefs. Does that make sense?
