Since I haven’t had much time to write lately, I invited a friend of mine from Digital Point to do an article or two. Here is his first one providing the simple differences between atheism and agnosticism.
Atheism vs. Agnosticism
If you are reading this I would have to assume you have heard of atheism, and if you have heard of atheism then I would say there is a pretty good chance that you have also heard of agnosticism. But, do you know the difference between the two? Or even which, if either, you yourself are? This quick explanatory post may help clear just that up for you.
Atheism
In simple terms atheism is the absolute rejection of any form of theism and a complete disbelief in any form of deity. Most atheists justify their disbeliefs by exclaiming that there is no empirical evidence to support the existence of any kind of God.
Agnosticism
Similar in concept to atheism, agnosticism also promotes a solid disbelief in deities; however their similarities stop there. The big agnosticism claim is that there is, nor ever will be, anyway to prove beyond a responsible doubt that a God does or does not exist, and therefore we humans should not waste our time even worrying whether or not one exists.
Now please do keep in mind these are very basic descriptions and differences of atheists and agnostics. If you are interested in learning more I invite you to search around online and read up on what each group’s values are.
Which group you decide you are part of or feel you relate to more the most important thing is that you posses the ability to use logic. Sadly too many people in this world give in to blind faith and live their lives in fear. They also look at us as if we are the ones to fear, but in reality we know that atheists and agnostics alike are some of the most peaceful and loving people to grace this beautiful earth.
Mike
Verbal Battle
As Mike said, these are very basic descriptions of each. There are quite a few subtypes and varying beliefs within each broad class of belief systems. Over the next little while I’ll try to touch on those a bit.
Tags: Agnosticism, Atheism
February 24th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
and then..
In which of rule we are using for our guidance in our life?
In my point of view, God’s rule is the best..
February 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
“In which of rule we are using for our guidance in our life?”
If you don’t know already, send me money.
“In my point of view, God’s rule is the best..”
I am for universal, not personal standards for morality.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Wow, this is a very different blog. Thanks you for the explanations. They have been easy to understand and informative. Keep up the good job, mate.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I’ve actaully wondered what i am in regards to not believing in God. I always just say i’m atheist, but then I think, well if someone did prove a god, I guess Id believe in that…so quite a pickle…either way, I don’t believe in God.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Thank you for giving a short, yet clear distinction between the two. Some people will call themselves “atheist” when what they really mean is that they are “agnostics.” Here, you have laid out the clear-cut difference. I just don’t think agnosticism is a very powerful position since, strictly, it’s not really a position for me. It’s a stand of those who don’t have stands.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I, respectfully have to disagree with Tropang. It’s insulting to insinuate agnostics are unopinionated with no real direction. I think humans should sport a moral code no matter creed/lack thereof. People shouldn’t need to be so adamantly for or against a religion to lead a good life. I think it shows more strength the person that can do good without fearing a god or strongly disbelieving in one as ones motive. I am atheist/agnostic/more like don’t give a fuckist. I stand for people progressing without the need to follow some label.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
To be naive is to be innocent, but to be ignorant is to be guilty.
In a way a theist is an atheist in that they don’t believe in all the other gods that others might believe in. But rather just their god(s).
I am agnostic in that I don’t see any humanistic way of proving the existance of any god. But still I remain objective even though there might be an outside chance of some deity, I’m very skeptical about those chances. I like to be able to think for myself and to decide on what I choose to believe in. I do give consideration to all possibilities, but I remain objective as oppose to being doubtful.
I use to be a Christian, but after reading the Bible I started to wonder about certain contradictions in it and was there really a God or not. Was my faith real or was it in vain? I then took a verse in the Bible when Jesus said; “The wise man builds his house upon the rock, but the fool builds his house upon the sand”. In other words does one base their beliefs on truth, or does one base their truths on beliefs? The very beginning of the Bible says Old Testiment, but then the very first verse, in the very first chapter, in the very first book of the Bible it says; “In the beginning God created Heaven and Earth”. So my question would be who is it’s witness that was there to testify to this event? Why is the Bible void of any author and/or witness to this event?
I wish to be respectful to others and their beliefs as long as they can respect my choices in life and what I choose to believe in. That is what makes this country so great is that we have that freedom to choose. Does freedom of religion also include freedom from religion as well? Only if all of us can respect the choices that others make for themselves can we then respect ourselves.
From the variety of life springs forth the foutain of diversity which only makes us more distigushed and less insignificant.
The destination of Wisdom is traveled down the path of Humility.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Shweta, Eupraxsophy well put!
December 9th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
My observations tells me the world is neiher black nor white. There can be in-betweens. My review of history tells me there were alot of mysteries in the past which is currently solved and yet others remain a mystery. Probably if time will permit, we might find the answers. For now, I’m neither theist nor atheist. I’m just pro truth.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:44 am
I, as Eupraxsophy used to be a Christian, i was raised one and have a extensive knowledge about it, but it wasn’t until a couple years that i started doing some research and i not longer believe while the bible is a wonderful book and not doubt that the author or authors
were geniuses but taking the Bible as a life guide can prevent people to evolve their sense of morality as religion has for thousands of years
They way i see it, if religion would have never existed then we would have the “universal morality” that Samuel Skinner mentioned we might had evolved even to the point that we probably wouldn’t need a Government dictating morality on us
January 6th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
It seems that agnostics have the only plausable position. Neither theists nor athiests, by definition of their label, can know if their position is true. It’s based on ‘faith’ for both. Neither can supply proof of their beliefs. Agnostics on the other hand state that it can’t be known, which is the only ‘truth’ of all three positions.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I think the problem with humanity is that somehow truth and humility are viewed as being two seperate values. Truth and humility are relevant to each other. But admiration of the truth is in vain if it doesn’t inspire us to be brave in knowing the truths about ourselves and others. This is better known as humility. Humility gives one the wisdom to see both the ugliness and beauty that resides in truth.
I use to be a Christian, but I was also an active alcoholic as well.
I now see the relevance of both in that I was being self denial of truth. When I was a Christian I was replacing actual truth with some other truth, and when I was drinking I was just hiding from the truth.
It wasn’t until I humbled myself and face, accept, and respect truth for what it is, that I was truly able to move on with my life.
I have no regrets as to ever being a Christian or alcoholic in that I have learned from both experiences. It is a valued lesson that I have learned in my life. It is the lesson of truth and humility. To know of the true essence about myself, before I know of the values of others.
And it is this lesson that gives one integrity. Integrity means being as honest with yourself as you are to others. Truth and humility are now two of my moral values.
Truth and knowledge are the subjects to the nobility of truth, so if thy caution thyself not to be the fool yet thy have a boastful tongue then let it be that which rest upon thy head the Crown of Truth. For integrity of the wise is found in truth, so where shall it be found in that of the fool? And this above all things to thy own self be true.
Be objective to that which you are naive to as opposed to being ignorant to that which you are doubtful of and weigh that which is given consideration to, with truth.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
There are countless websites and videos on youtube that explain this. In short, you’re wrong. Agnosticism is not some middle ground between atheism and theism.
Google “you are not agnostic”. The first few chapters of Dawkins’ book are devoted to this aswell.
http://www.rationalresponders......or_atheist
May 14th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
well to be honest i really just hate all religion.
i find it pointless to worship something that mae us in its image.
if were all “equal” then why do others beleive that they are better than us.
why are some people more fortunate than others.
“god” is just another form of terror struck into people who thnk that something has to responsible for everything. and so they are not alone they recruit young and old people.
atheism and agnosctic. very the same yet so different.
i myself am agnostic but atheism is something that puts a challeng on my mind thanks for the description.
john.
May 18th, 2010 at 2:55 am
This really is pretty basic “in it’s definition”.
Atheist-Do not accept any supernatural answers. God, ghost, esp, fortune tellers, etc…
Agnostics-Neither confirm or deny the existence of supernatural activity. Whether that be god, karma, etc…
As to what the variant degrees of this are, depend on the individual.
Ah, the complexity of life… It simply cannot be defined completly with words.
JKB
June 4th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
I think that you guys need Jesus because there is a god and there is a devil so there is good and evil. But i still love you guys because yall are my brothers and sister through Christ. But least you stand up for something instead of nothing.
July 21st, 2010 at 3:55 pm
I agree this definition is wrong and would ideally be corrected. Atheism is about belief, agnosticism is about knowledge. All who don’t currently “believe” in a god are atheists, including those who “don’t know”, as long as they do not currently have a “belief”. You can be an atheist agnostic defined as one who has no current “belief” in god (atheist) and claims no “knowledge” of whether god exists or not (agnostic).