One who doesn't know if god(s) exist. This includes strong agnostics, those who don't believe it's possible to know if god(s) exist, agnostic theists, those who believe in god(s), but aren't sure if they exist, and agnostic atheists (sometimes called weak atheists), those who lack belief in the existence of god(s) (note: excludes strong atheists, those who assert the non-existence of god(s)).
Person A: I'm an agnostic. I don't know if there are any gods, so I'm making no claims about their existence.
Person B: I'm an atheist and I hold this same view, as Person A's agnosticism doesn't assert the existence of any gods. In this case my atheism is the same as Person A's agnosticism, though if I was a strong atheist I would still be an atheist, but not an agnostic.
Person C: I'm an agnostic theist and I assert that a god exists, though I'm not entirely sure. My agnosticism is different from Person A's an Person B's as I assert the existence of at least one god.
Person D: I believe it's impossible to know if any gods exist, thus I am either theistic or atheistic in my views on the existence of god as a theist could believe it to be impossible to know if god(s) exist, just as an atheist could assert it's impossible to know if god(s) exist.
Person B: I'm an atheist and I hold this same view, as Person A's agnosticism doesn't assert the existence of any gods. In this case my atheism is the same as Person A's agnosticism, though if I was a strong atheist I would still be an atheist, but not an agnostic.
Person C: I'm an agnostic theist and I assert that a god exists, though I'm not entirely sure. My agnosticism is different from Person A's an Person B's as I assert the existence of at least one god.
Person D: I believe it's impossible to know if any gods exist, thus I am either theistic or atheistic in my views on the existence of god as a theist could believe it to be impossible to know if god(s) exist, just as an atheist could assert it's impossible to know if god(s) exist.
by alexjohnc3 February 24, 2007
Get the Agnosticism mug.Agnosticism, technically meaning 'the spirituality without knowledge', is a practice that puts all previous religions into question. Just as the post-modern movement desires re-evaluation of gender, sexuality, and concept, agnosticism calls into question the origins of god and the universe. While it would be completely arrogant for the human race to assume that they were the highest beings, power-wise, we have no proof that there is only one higher being. Further-more, we have no proof that they are out to do us any good, and no proof that they can or wish to communicate with us at the present moment. In essence, Agnosticism is the ultimate 'who knows, who cares', in terms of spirituality.
Now. Existentialism is, essentially, the contemplation of existence. Often the parable of Sisyphus is used as the existentialist mascot. The futile image that the parable creates is to symbolize our life...for, linking with post-modern strains of thought (which, remember, seek to re-evaluate all we have previously assumed to gain a higher truth), there is technically nothing more than this struggle. However, existentialism largely wished for us to accept this. Don't hate the struggle...it is ALL you have to depend upon. Your language, your concept of time, your concept of relationship, your concept of government, your concept of organization, your concepts of religion...all will fail you. However, the boulder will not. Accept and love the boulder.
Therefore, Existentialist Agnosticism combines these two views. We have no proof there is god. So, for your own sakes, stop worrying about him and live your life.
Now. Existentialism is, essentially, the contemplation of existence. Often the parable of Sisyphus is used as the existentialist mascot. The futile image that the parable creates is to symbolize our life...for, linking with post-modern strains of thought (which, remember, seek to re-evaluate all we have previously assumed to gain a higher truth), there is technically nothing more than this struggle. However, existentialism largely wished for us to accept this. Don't hate the struggle...it is ALL you have to depend upon. Your language, your concept of time, your concept of relationship, your concept of government, your concept of organization, your concepts of religion...all will fail you. However, the boulder will not. Accept and love the boulder.
Therefore, Existentialist Agnosticism combines these two views. We have no proof there is god. So, for your own sakes, stop worrying about him and live your life.
I am a self-proclaimed practitioner of the school of thought existentialist agnosticism preaches.
I feel that we all could learn from existentialist agnosticism.
I feel that we all could learn from existentialist agnosticism.
by Magil Zalant May 27, 2009
Get the Existentialist Agnosticism mug.Related Words
The only rational position to take in relation to the existence of god. Most (but not all) agnostics are leaning towards atheist, meaning they highly doubt that there is a god, but aren't dogmatic enough to rule it out entirely. Some are theists who accept a certain level of doubt for their beliefs, for the sake of being logical.
Theism: "I know for certain that god exists"
Atheism: "I know for certain that there are no gods"
Agnosticism: "I only know that I don't know"
Atheism: "I know for certain that there are no gods"
Agnosticism: "I only know that I don't know"
by Zerotrousers July 31, 2010
Get the Agnosticism mug.The acceptance that you don't know whether God exists or not, and the acceptance that you don't care.
See also: pessimism, agnosticism
See also: pessimism, agnosticism
Random guy: Is there a God?
Polytheist: No, there's lots of gods and godesses.
Monotheist: Yes, just the one.
Atheist, No, there aren't any gods.
Agnosticist: I don't know.
Pessimistic agnosticist: I don't know, and I don't care.
Optimistic agnosticism: I don't know, but I really wanna find out.
Polytheist: No, there's lots of gods and godesses.
Monotheist: Yes, just the one.
Atheist, No, there aren't any gods.
Agnosticist: I don't know.
Pessimistic agnosticist: I don't know, and I don't care.
Optimistic agnosticism: I don't know, but I really wanna find out.
by Greg March 20, 2005
Get the pessimistic agnosticism mug.The greatest set of 'beliefs' you can have. An Agnostic belives that there is no way of knowing if God exists or not. Unlike religious people, who are usually neither intelligent or open minded, or Atheists who are usually intelligent, but not usually open minded, an Agnostic is intelligent and open minded, smart enough not to be brain-washed into believing that there is a God who cannot be seen, but open minded to the idea that there may be one.
Most Christians will get very defensive if someone challenges that God exists, while some Atheists will treat every person who believes in God as if they are wrong, and there is no Gd and anyone who believes there is is stupid. Not all Atheists are like this, though.
A lot of Christians dislike Atheists and Agnostics because they have such a strong belief in God that they believe they know something for sure that no one can. What these people need to realise is that there is a very great gift that God, if there is one, gove us...free will. He gave us a brain which can think for itself and believe what it wants to...why wash it with things that some book or preacher say and make yourself believe it's the truth?
Most Christians will get very defensive if someone challenges that God exists, while some Atheists will treat every person who believes in God as if they are wrong, and there is no Gd and anyone who believes there is is stupid. Not all Atheists are like this, though.
A lot of Christians dislike Atheists and Agnostics because they have such a strong belief in God that they believe they know something for sure that no one can. What these people need to realise is that there is a very great gift that God, if there is one, gove us...free will. He gave us a brain which can think for itself and believe what it wants to...why wash it with things that some book or preacher say and make yourself believe it's the truth?
Religious nut-God is real! I know so because some book said so!
Atheist's response-You're stupid. There is no God. Religion was created by man, everything in The Bible is a lie.
Agnostic's respose-You have know way of knowing that for sure. There may be a God, there may not, we will only know for sure when we die.
Atheist-There is no God.
Religious nut-There is too! The Bible says so! You will go to hell for saying there's no God!
Atheist-You're stupid, there is no God, religion is a myth and was created by man.
Agnostic-There could be a God. It's not dumb to believe there is a God, it's not bad to believe there isn't one. Agnosticism is the best way to go!
Atheist's response-You're stupid. There is no God. Religion was created by man, everything in The Bible is a lie.
Agnostic's respose-You have know way of knowing that for sure. There may be a God, there may not, we will only know for sure when we die.
Atheist-There is no God.
Religious nut-There is too! The Bible says so! You will go to hell for saying there's no God!
Atheist-You're stupid, there is no God, religion is a myth and was created by man.
Agnostic-There could be a God. It's not dumb to believe there is a God, it's not bad to believe there isn't one. Agnosticism is the best way to go!
by Amanda L., Proud Agnostic!! November 21, 2006
Get the Agnosticism mug.Agnosticism considers matters of belief as matters of knowledge. This is why atheists reject it: while it is true that we can never know for sure God doesn't exist, in the light of our current evidence we have no reason to either believe in His existence or to even consider the possibility of His existence.
You don't seriously consider the possibility of an invisible pink unicorn existing either, right?
You don't seriously consider the possibility of an invisible pink unicorn existing either, right?
by ServantOfProgress November 10, 2004
Get the Agnosticism mug.She was so agnosticated at the party last night, but kept drinking anyway.
He was suffering from agnostication when he decided to drive home from the pub.
He was suffering from agnostication when he decided to drive home from the pub.
by Worm girl April 25, 2010
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