Agnostic is atheist!
"Agnostic" (Huxley) may have been coined to separate honourable American nonbelivers from the perjorative connotation of the much older term, atheist. In any case, "agnostic" at that time didn't seem to carry the noncommittal connotation it does today. Kirsten I. Russell - author
So the term "agnostic" was adopted in order to give atheists at that time a more respectable title! Agnostics were atheists!
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6 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Yeah! When did the meaning soften to noncommittal?
AstralSmoke
Level 8
May 6, 2018
0
Those who refuse to acknowledge differences between agnostics and atheists, let alone the differences among agnostics themselves, are simply lazy thinkers who love to pigeonhole people, and the fewer the pigeonholes to stuff people into, the better. This is not to mention the arrogant self-righteousness of insisting on telling people they don't know what they believe in or don't believe in, but you do.
However, such judgmental narrow thinking makes it so much easier to put all infidels into one category and condemn them all to hell, doesn't it?
Heraclitus
Level 8
May 5, 2018
0
Great conservation. I'm currently reading "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. No, I don't believe in any of them but . . . Great book. So many amazing insights into American cultural melting pot and he's English. Atheist, agnostic, cynic, skeptic, etc. . . It's sad so many so want to believe.
Alana
Level 4
May 5, 2018
1
In Europe Agnostics were often referred to as fence sitters. It is a pity that the religions have dictated the agenda and those outside still have to wear the "A"tag. The reality is the followers of religions are also agnostic because they cannot know for sure either. They are just believers, not knowers.
PontifexMarximus
Level 8
May 5, 2018
0
I've posted this link on the site before, but I think that NdGT best defines the difference between atheist and agnostic.
Benthoven
Level 8
May 5, 2018
2
I'm an agnostic. You might call me a militant atheist. My weapon of choice is a word processor.
I don't agree with what he said about atheists getting together to discuss their non-belief in god, but that we discuss the issues believers have on society as a whole.
@Benthoven I label myself an atheist because it generally gets the point across.
Other than that I agree with NDT, that people attach too many assumptions and baggage to labels.
I could go into all the additional labels that could apply to me, but it usually requires a long explaination that I don't care to give to someone who really doesn't care anyway.
I like Tyson a lot and normally agree with most of what he is saying. In this interview, he chastises people for putting other people in boxes and then he does the exact same thing. His narrow view (from his experiences) tied all atheist together with an in-your-face attitude. That's far from the truth, but I do agree that the word 'atheist' is negative and who wants to be known as a negative?
I grew up with the understanding that "atheist" was a stronger position than "agnostic." Like atheists didn't believe in god and were confident in that position, and agnostics were not quite sure if they believed or not.
Now, I understand that many people use the word agnostic to mean that it just isn't possible to know if a god exists or not, and they don't believe one does. Which still seems like a way to soften the hard edge that the word "atheist" has always had. I'm OK with "atheist." I don't believe in a god or gods.
carlyhorton
Level 7
May 5, 2018
2
Good question. I have never been 100% sure of anything, so agnostic works better for me. That way the Webster definition (below) covers me for the chance I am wrong. I guess that is because I have a hard time condemning the devout christian for their lack of flexibility, if I am not able to exert one myself. Also, I consider it insurance. I always tell my Christian friends, "your god forgives all sinner if they ask right?" Then I tell them, "I will ask for forgiveness at the gates and enjoy life here on earth."
Websters Definition - a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (such as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god.
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