I don’t know if this gets to the nature of the issue at hand. But I have a family member who once bought me an audio bible on CD disk. I still couldn’t get through the entire thing. But it makes it a lot more digestible when you can just drop in every time you have to go the the post office or on the way to work.

Well, Your BF doesn't seem like even a real agnostic. I consider myself an agnostic atheist. That is 2 totally different things. Atheism states that, usually for reasons of lack of proof, that one doesn't believe in a god or gods (& quite often the supernatural in general). Agnostic states that one has no knowledge about a particular stance or belief. One is a belief, the other is "knowledge". It can be a fine line, I realize, but there is a difference. I have no knowledge regarding a god & therefore have no belief. Many theists may be agnostic theists, & just believe, some believe they are gnostic theists, which is dubious, at best. & there are even gnostic atheists, & I think that is a bit of a stretch also, because I don't see how the "god" question has a knowledge basis on one side or the other. I think it is far more likely that no god exists, but I cannot state unequivocally that such is the case. I have no proof, just a lot of observations that make me lean to un-belief!

why do you have to go there at all - I mean the place where you both choose to knock your heads on the same old, same old .I'd make a pact not to talk about religion or lack of it and make a relationship based on all the things that you have in common and strengthen that. if oyu love him stay with him if you dont, leave. But it sounds like you're making a relationship based completely on a negative . If any of my friends believes in a sky god I let them, and pass myself it isn't my business. I have many religious friends and as long as we don't have boring conversations about our positions - what odds.

He doesn't sound agnostic. He probably just says it just because he wants to be with you and is willing to lie in order to do so.

I say strangle him and sacrifice his body to satan.

To me bei
ng agnostic does not mean leaving the door open for a sentient God with a kingdom in Heaven. It means leaving the door open for some power or agency, non sentient that impacts our existence or is beyond are ability to comprehend at this time. I feel it would be arrogant not to acknowledge limits in are abilities and understanding.

Perhaps consider dating again, He is not into what you hold as your core

In order to really keep ths discussion open you HAVE to divest yourselves from the emotional investment in it. The mind is meant to think and reason out the answers. If you find your voice getting sqweeky stop and take time out - for days even. You can't think in a reasonable manner when you're all worked up.

1. You're not going to change his beliefs. You can point things out to him but once you've done that you need to let him make his own mind up about things.

2. Understand that a lot of people want to be "culturally Christian" so as to fit in, and the pressure to do that in a Bible Belt environment is particularly strong. Again, he's going to do and say things that are comfortable for him and you need to respect his comfort zone (and you have a right that he respect yours, too).

3. Don't let your disagreement about things become confrontational. You have a relationship with this man which has nothing to do with religion and that's a valuable thing to work towards. In other words, don't pick a fight with him about religion. That's what door-to-door missionaries are for.

Well, what I appreciate about agnostics sometimes even more than atheists that is they say I don't know a lot and we don't know everything. There's a starting point. It makes me wonder how he defines god.

Obviously, the power of your question and predicament has prompted many responses. I read several, but not all, of them. Arguing over this issue can be many things-- fun, engaging, frustrating, illuminating, etc.

If I were in your position, looking back over my 53 years on earth, I would ask myself "how would we raise our children" I'm not trying to make any sort of sexist statement that you need to have children, but I'll share that I have one (quite amazing BTW, freshman in college, independent, feminist, doesn't listen to anything I say-- all the things i drilled into her). It could end up being an important question, as parents can be more adamant about what their children are taught than what they believe themselves.

Best of luck to you!

Your Significant Other is more like a Diest. It sounds like does believe in god (little "g" ), but he doesn't understand much else. I may be over simplifying this, but for me an agnostic can not prove god is, and an atheist can not prove god isn't.

Just like if you date a theist... Be respectful and actually listen to each other. Simple

What's wrong with having these arguments? Many arguments are cover for other things going on in the relationship. Stay objective and keep emotions out of the arguments. It's just a discussion.

Your BF is not agnostic. An agnostic, almost by def, doesn't need to win the argument. Nor do you.

When I got married, 17 years ago, we were both devout Christians. 5 or so years ago I deconverted and am now an atheist, but my wife is still a Christian. We rarely talk about it since our relationship is based on so much more than that. If both parties can discuss religion respectfully without name calling and accusations the relationship can work. If, however, you two feel compelled to constantly debate, and anger is the result, it might just be best to be friends.

I think that a lot of you may have missed something fundamental here. Some people will argue about anything! I am reminded of a bit in a Woody Allen film where his parents are arguing "What do you mean, the Atlantic is a better ocean than the Pacific".
You say you live in the bible belt, so I suppose all his family, friends and work colleagues are Christian and if I know those guys they are on his case all the time. You are the only person he can discuss his non-belief with. I will bet you better than even money that when he talks to them, he uses your arguments against them.
You could try this if it gets too much. "There either is a god or there is not a god? If you pick one or the other you have a chance of being right or wrong. If you pick neither you have a 100% chance of being wrong. This is not Schrödinger's cat, now I am bored so lets have sex" (or any other activity you would rather the both of you were doing).

For " Gods sake " ??? stop wasting your time on such trivial and ridiculous rubbish ! ....... give your mate a big hug and grow up, life is too short. How will you act in future when you have some real differences ? I hate to think........

I would not call your bf agnostic. I'm agnostic. I do not believe that God exists, but I leave the door open to the minuscule possibility that I could be wrong. I also think that for some people religion is actually a good thing, whether it is true or not.

If you both can step back and understand that the question is essentially unavailable and unknowable to either of you personally. Then you should both find humility enough to allow for the difference of opinion. If not it would not bode well for other more salient possible differences to be had in a relationship.

I deeply respect the fact that those of you surrounded by religious folk., steadfast in there belief must be such a shunned minority ( lepers are more accepted) I would be greatful my partner was at least agnostic. Even if agnostics are wishy washy , fence sitters, refusing to admit one way or another. They are at least part the way to denial of a deity. In your current climate I would just wait and allow your partner to come to the realisation. god is dog spelt backwards and let him validate proving a negative at his own pace.

I think you hit the nail on the head with your question who created God. The answer as we all know is man. If God was never created then why couldn't one imagine that its actually the universe that has always been.

If this is bothering you now, I'd avoid marriage and/or children with him at all costs. It isn't going to get any easier. Belief or non-belief isn't the issue really. It's honestly about his unwillingness to actually research and develop an opinion of his own.

I do not understand in what sense this person is an agnostic. Agnosticism would be a claim about what you do not know, Not about what you do know.

I do not know how one can improve a relationship where subjects become problematic to discussion and essentially forbidden. Unless there was some compelling historical reason such as abuse, etc. to leave a subject off the list, I would not, could not remain involved with such a person.

I'm agnostic and my ex-husband is atheist and religious belief never was a point of contention, at least not beyond him teasing me and calling me a "wimpy atheist". The divorce was for other reasons