NationStates Jolt Archive

Alright, this is a quick, hardcore n00bish question, but, what's being agnostic?

I know what atheism is, but the term agnostic has been cropping up everywhere, and I'm clueless as to what it means.

So, some help please?

Agnostics say that it's impossible given the current level of evidence to know one way or another whether god exists, therefore they don't take a position about beleif or disbeleif.

It means the same thing as atheist, heathens just like to form different factions to make themselves look intelligent.

It means the same thing as atheist, heathens just like to form different factions to make themselves look intelligent.
You are too funny.

It means the same thing as atheist, heathens just like to form different factions to make themselves look intelligent.

Heh, I see you are informed about such things.

Agnostics are undecided basically. They don't want to believe in something for which they have no proof but they don't want to deny it's existance either. Atheism is more along the lines of "god is dead".


By the way, are you actually serious?

Heh, I see you are informed about such things.

Agnostics are undecided basically. They don't want to believe in something for which they have no proof but they don't want to deny it's existance either. Atheism is more along the lines of "god is dead".


By the way, are you actually serious?
Atheism is not allong the lines of "god is dead". Atheism comes in two forms. Weak atheists say there is no evidence for god therefore I don't beleive. Strong atheists say the existance of a god is impossible.

Agnostics believe there is a god, but they don't follow any major religion.

Alright, this is a quick, hardcore n00bish question, but, what's being agnostic?

I know what atheism is, but the term agnostic has been cropping up everywhere, and I'm clueless as to what it means.

So, some help please?

The difference is that an atheist believes there is no god (or gods), while the agnostic believes it is impossible to know either way.

Heh, I see you are informed about such things.

Agnostics are undecided basically. They don't want to believe in something for which they have no proof but they don't want to deny it's existance either. Atheism is more along the lines of "god is dead".


By the way, are you actually serious?

^ See what I mean?

^ See what I mean?
Hardly ever.

Atheism is not allong the lines of "god is dead". Atheism comes in two forms. Weak atheists say there is no evidence for god therefore I don't beleive. Strong atheists say the existance of a god is impossible.

I didn't quite mean it like that. I was just quoting a friend of mine who is an atheist. What I mean is that atheist strongly deny the existence of god.

an agostic is a person who doesn't know...anything

^ See what I mean?

I assume that the original question was in earnest, so you are not being helpful with your flame-baiter pranks.

If you have nothing worthwhile to say, feel free to remain silent on the matter.

It means the same thing as atheist, heathens just like to form different factions to make themselves look intelligent.

Hey stop flirting with him!

Agnostics believe there is a god, but they don't follow any major religion.

you are completly correct

(no sarcasm intended)

Agnostics believe there is a god, but they don't follow any major religion.

You are wrong

an agostic is a person who doesn't know...anything

That's impossible. Everybody knows something.

you are completly correct

(no sarcasm intended)

No, sorry. Agnostics do not accept that it is POSSIBLE to know whether there is a god, or not.

That doesn't mean that they cannot, however, follow the PHILOSOPHY or teachings of a religious order.

Non-denominational True Believers believe there is a God, but do not recognize the authority of the major religious institutions.

That's impossible. Everybody knows something.
well agnostic does come from the same root as ignorant...

oh yay! i should know all about this subject from my coaching from nihilistic beginners

i'm drawing a blank...

I'm an agnostic. Basically, I don't believe that you can prove the existence or nature of God, but you also ccannot disprove same. No sense in believing in or denying something that cannot be known one way or the other. That does not mean I don't admire certain teachings of religions (ie the "Golden Rule")

No, sorry. Agnostics do not accept that it is POSSIBLE to know whether there is a god, or not.

That doesn't mean that they cannot, however, follow the PHILOSOPHY or teachings of a religious order.

some do but just like every religion there are some differences between each person

I believe that there is a god and that every religion is somewhat right
I think that there is more than one way to get to god or heaven or hell or whatever

some do but just like every religion there are some differences between each person

I believe that there is a god and that every religion is somewhat right
I think that there is more than one way to get to god or heaven or hell or whatever

You believe that there is a god? Then you are not an agnostic...

Agnostics can be church-attending believers, such as the Unitarians. They don't have to believe that any one religion holds the unique claim to "ultimate tuth".
An agnostic may not care if God exists, or they may believe in something more universal than an earth-obsessed deity (like the Buddhists, for example, who believe in a "oneness", but not in a God).
Not all agnostics are unsure by any means.
Believeing in a higher order without deist limitations would technically make you an agnostic.
An atheist would scratch all of these "silly" notions altogether.

Agnosticism is nothing more than a cop out...I am sorry but either God exist or doesn't exist...there is no in-between when it comes to existence.

Agnosticism is nothing more than a cop out...I am sorry but either God exist or doesn't exist...there is no in-between when it comes to existence.
Does this mean that the Buddhists are atheists instead of agnostics? Kinda hard to imagine a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation and Nirvana as a genuine atheist.

Agnostics can be church-attending believers, such as the Unitarians. They don't have to believe that any one religion holds the unique claim to "ultimate tuth".
An agnostic may not care if God exists, or they may believe in something more universal than an earth-obsessed deity (like the Buddhists, for example, who believe in a "oneness", but not in a God).
Not all agnostics are unsure by any means.
Believeing in a higher order without deist limitations would technically make you an agnostic.
An atheist would scratch all of these "silly" notions altogether.

It's not a matter of 'caring' whether god exists. And ALL agnostics ARE unsure - that's kind of the point.

Perhaps, if someone believed in "something more universal than an earth-obsessed deity" they could 'believe' and be agnostic... but I think that is splitting semantic hairs, since that 'more universal' thing would still be a 'manifestation' of creative or coercive force, and so, would still be 'god'.

Unles, of course, you mean a belief in absolute unity... that everything is part of one whole... which wouldn't allow for a 'god' level being. Even so - such a belief is closer to atheism than agnosticism...

Does this mean that the Buddhists are atheists instead of agnostics? Kinda hard to imagine a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation and Nirvana as a genuine atheist.

Not really... a spiritual 'heaven' experience, or a recycling of 'life' do not require a deity.

Now, if they believed in reincarnation, and Nirvana... AND expressed an uncertainty as to whether there was a god... then they would be agnostic.

Does this mean that the Buddhists are atheists instead of agnostics? Kinda hard to imagine a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation and Nirvana as a genuine atheist.
I don't knlow how you got that from my post, i never once mention Buddha, Buddhist, Nibanna or reincarnation...Buddhism as far as I am concern is a separate issue!

Unles, of course, you mean a belief in absolute unity... that everything is part of one whole... which wouldn't allow for a 'god' level being. Even so - such a belief is closer to atheism than agnosticism...
That would be the definition of "oneness", which is exactly what the Buddhists believe is the ultimate reality.


Now, if they believed in reincarnation, and Nirvana... AND expressed an uncertainty as to whether there was a god... then they would be agnostic.
I see what you mean. And no, a strong part of the Buddhist system of beliefs is the absence of a "soul", and a God as well.
So now I guess I'm an atheist who holds strong Buddhist beliefs. Of course, that's exactly what I would've said before, but thanks for pointing that out.
I guess it's equally hard to imagine Buddhists as agnostics since they do have a rigid belief system, even if it's based on disbelief.

I don't knlow how you got that from my post, i never once mention Buddha, Buddhist, Nibanna or reincarnation...Buddhism as far as I am concern is a separate issue!
Ummm... that wasn't directed toward you. I'm having a conversation with someone else, but you're welcome to join on-topic if you'd like.

Atheist...

Go atheists. im jewish can you blame me??

Ummm... that wasn't directed toward you. I'm having a conversation with someone else, but you're welcome to join on-topic if you'd like.

Then why did you quote me , if'n it wasn't directed to my person?

Not really... a spiritual 'heaven' experience, or a recycling of 'life' do not require a deity.

Now, if they believed in reincarnation, and Nirvana... AND expressed an uncertainty as to whether there was a god... then they would be agnostic.

Nirvana rocks ass.

Now, back on topic...

An agnostic believes there is a god, but all he does is rule over the universe, kind of like a master of puppets. Therefore, they believe when you're dead, you're just dead.

I'm a Christian of course, but my friend is an agnostic.

That would be the definition of "oneness", which is exactly what the Buddhists believe is the ultimate reality.

I see what you mean. And no, a strong part of the Buddhist system of beliefs is the absence of a "soul", and a God as well.
So now I guess I'm an atheist who holds strong Buddhist beliefs. Of course, that's exactly what I would've said before, but thanks for pointing that out.
I guess it's equally hard to imagine Buddhists as agnostics since they do have a rigid belief system, even if it's based on disbelief.

:)

People have problems with the difference between 'agnosticism' and 'atheism', because it is such a fine divide - and because our culture has been 'geared' towards an acceptance of religious terms, and an implied ignorance of secular terms (example: see how the christian church tries to claim 'marriage'... in the face of legal opposition, and hundreds of other religions who also 'marry').

It doesn't help that many people bandy around terms like agnostic and atheist as though they were identical.

The common ground between atheism and agnosticism is that neither ACTUALLY believes in gods. The difference is that the agnostic might not BELIEVE, but he/she thinks it impossible to be sure.

Glad to be of any help. :)

Nirvana rocks ass.

Now, back on topic...

An agnostic believes there is a god, but all he does is rule over the universe, kind of like a master of puppets. Therefore, they believe when you're dead, you're just dead.

I'm a Christian of course, but my friend is an agnostic.

that actually wouldn't be an agnostic, either... it may be some kind of non-specific Deist, but it isn't agnosticism... no matter what your friend calls him/her self.

By the way, beliefs about reincarnation, and 'heavenly planes' do not NEED gods.

Oh. You score Cool Points for mentioning 'Nirvana', and for a very subtle 'Metallica' reference... :)

An agnostic knows enough to know that he or she doesn't know enough. :D

^straight from the mind of an agnostic

Nirvana rocks ass.

Now, back on topic...

An agnostic believes there is a god, but all he does is rule over the universe, kind of like a master of puppets. Therefore, they believe when you're dead, you're just dead.

I'm a Christian of course, but my friend is an agnostic.

I believe in Nirvana!
:p
I've got proof Nirvana is the truth! I've seen a t-shirt with them on it.

An agnostic is one who believes that you cannot prove either way whether there is or is not a God or gods. At least, that's what I'd thought...

An agnostic is one who believes that you cannot prove either way whether there is or is not a God or gods. At least, that's what I'd thought...
Yep, you think correctly

An agnostic knows enough to know that he or she doesn't know enough. :D

^straight from the mind of an agnostic

Pretty much sums it up in one tasty little catchphrase... I like it.

Yeah I think that Neo guy got it first go...I'm a man of this faith tho (or at least the last definition http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mandango :p

There are way too many mistaken ideas of agnosticism here it seems like. I am an agnostic, I believe there is no way to prove or disprove the existence of a God or gods. Therefore, I choose not to worry about it too much.

As far as religions are concerned, I think they have their good and their bad influences. Let's go hypothetical for a minute here: suppose God exists (the Christian idea of God). Well then, the Christian God is the same God as the Jewish God, and also as the Muslim God. So then why is there so much religious violence between the 3 groups?!? It boggles my mind. Now suppose God does not exist. Then all the fighting is completely devoid of purpose. Either way, the conflict that exists today based off religion should not exist.

However, I do see some good things in religion. The Golden Rule. Most major religions have something along the lines of "Do unto others as you want done to yourself." Call it what you want, but whether or not God exists, it's still a good philosophy to go by. So basically you can call me an Agnostic Humanist, I guess.

I hope that all made sense, ask me if you want clarification of anything.

Agnostics believe there is a god, but they don't follow any major religion.
That's a deist, not an agnostic.

some do but just like every religion there are some differences between each person

I believe that there is a god and that every religion is somewhat right
I think that there is more than one way to get to god or heaven or hell or whatever


You are a NDTB... not agnostic