Question: If atheism is just disbelief in gods, then what is the difference between that and agnosticism?
Response: Many people who adopt the label of agnostic reject the label of atheist there is a common perception that agnosticism is a more reasonable position while atheism is more dogmatic, ultimately indistinguishable from theism except in the details. This is not a valid position to adopt because it misrepresents or misunderstands everything involved: atheism, theism, agnosticism, and the nature of belief itself. It also happens to reinforce popular prejudice against atheists.
Agnostics may sincerely believe it and theists may sincerely reinforce it, but it relies upon more than one misunderstanding about both atheism and agnosticism. These misunderstandings are only exacerbated by continual social pressure and prejudice against atheism and atheists. People who are unafraid of stating that they indeed do not believe in any gods are still despised in many places, whereas agnostic is perceived as more respectable.
Atheists are thought to be closed-minded because they deny the existence of gods, whereas agnostics appear to be open-minded because they do not know for sure. This is a mistake because atheists do not necessarily deny any gods and may indeed be an atheist because they do not know for sure in other words, they may be an agnostic as well.
Once it is understood that atheism is merely the absence of belief in any gods, it becomes evident that agnosticism is not, as many assume, a third way between atheism and theism. The presence of a belief in a god and the absence of a belief in a god exhaust all of the possibilities. Agnosticism is not about belief in god but about knowledge it was coined originally to describe the position of a person who could not claim to know for sure if any gods exist or not.
Thus, it is clear that agnosticism is compatible with both theism and atheism. A person can believe in a god (theism) without claiming to know for sure if that god exists; the result is agnostic theism. On the other hand, a person can disbelieve in gods (atheism) without claiming to know for sure that no gods can or do exist; the result is agnostic atheism.
It is also worth noting that there is a vicious double standard involved when theists claim that agnosticism is better than atheism because it is less dogmatic. If atheists are closed-minded because they are not agnostic, then so are theists. On the other hand, if theism can be open-minded then so can atheism.
More here:
Atheism vs. Agnosticism: What's the Difference Between Atheism ...
- The classic definition of a fool [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2013]
- Memories Of A Former British Far-Right Extremist: The Transformation Of Joseph Pearce [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2013]
- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Agnosticism - New Advent [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2013]
- Agnosticism - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2013]
- Agnosticism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2013]
- My Five Apps: Kevin's (Platform) Agnostic Life [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2013]
- Atheism and Agnosticism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2013]
- Agnosticism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- Is 'Paranormal' scary good? [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2014]
- Intel’s Vision: Wearables Everywhere In A Post-Windows World [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2014]
- After Arriving On Android, Glooko Lands $7M From Samsung & More To Bring Predictive Diabetes Care Global [Last Updated On: January 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2014]
- Raymark Launching Next Generation Of Retail Mobility And Analytics Solutions At The National Retail Federation's BIG ... [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2014]
- Go see Her, that movie about a guy who falls in love with his operating system [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2014]
- James Brennan: A profession in crisis [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2014]
- Agnosticism - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2014]
- Agnosticism is the only logical belief - Video [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2014]
- Board of Ed. approves 7 new Chicago charter schools [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Agnosticism - AllAboutPhilosophy.org [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2014]
- REVIEW: Insaan, aye Insaan! by Hasan Manzar - DAWN.COM [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- GOD The Irresistible (The End of Atheism and Agnosticism) By I.D.Campbell - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Crimes and Misdemeanors Nihilism Agnosticism Existentialism Philosophy Woody Allen God - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Filjiug-Zero VS Agnosticism - Video [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2014]
- Robert Jastrow's Struggle of God and Agnosticism - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2014]
- Idolatry 101: Skepticism, Atheism, Agnosticism, all -ism's are IDOLATRY! - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2014]
- Caitlyn Brennan: Dust to dust [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2014]
- Reader Comments [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2014]
- Windows apps and desktop are coming to Chrome OS, thanks to Google and VMware [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- How an On-Air Panic Attack Improved My Life [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- Perks of Open Bridge Rack : Customization + agnosticism | #OCPSummit [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2014]
- Spanish pilgrims of Muslim charity [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2014]
- Agnosticism: PAP Vs. TAP - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- Agnosticism Explained by Richard Dawkins - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2014]
- How China Fooled the World With Fiat [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2014]
- Hawthorne Heights Interview - piano lessons, agnosticism, oyster wrap - Video [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2014]
- Theism, Atheism, and Agnosticism - Video [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2014]
- A Heart Capable of Every Form -- atheism, agnosticism and belief - Video [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2014]
- agnosticism - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2014]
- Humanist, Religious Freedom & Scientology Writers Launch Featured Contributor Program on WorldReligionNews.com [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2014]
- CON: Prayer in school doesnt account for all religions [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2014]
- agnosticism: Definition from Answers.com [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2014]
- Finding the courage to be blatantly believer-ish [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2014]
- Agnosticism is Stupid - Video [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2014]
- Agnosticism: What It Is & Shouldn't Be - Video [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2014]
- [Lecture] Why I Am An Agnostic; Philosophical Argument for Agnosticism, Atheism, Audiobook - Video [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2014]
- Explosive, Daring Cosmos Just Launched a New Crusade for Science [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2014]
- *MIRROR* Defining Atheism Agnosticism a discussion - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2014]
- Richard Dawkins Highlights US Atheist's Video on Agnostic Atheists, Agnostic Theists [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2014]
- Eakins sale plan due by month's end [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2014]
- Khushwant: RIP [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2014]
- WorldReligionNews.com Featured Contributor Series Continues with 'Religious Freedom As A Human Rights Issue' by Donald ... [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2014]
- He believed in life [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2014]
- Shakira review: Another appealing album from a charming pop star [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2014]
- Kanika Datta: Great leaps back [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2014]
- Caller: Agnosticism is not the same as Atheism - Video [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2014]
- ATHEISM and AGNOSTICISM - Video [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2014]
- Religious Freedom as a Human Right Featured in World Religion News Featured Contributor Series [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2014]
- Does This Video Show A Skydiver Nearly Being Hit By A Meteorite? [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2014]
- Agnostic | What is the Definition of Agnostic ... [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2014]
- Atheism and Agnosticism Laurence Brown - Video [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- Why John Hubley Was One of the Best Animators You've Never Heard Of [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- Atheism, Agnosticism, and Perfect Belief: The Parameters of the Jewish Conceptions of God - Video [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- The artist known as W [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- Agnosticism - Religion-wiki [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Borges' widow recalls highschool meeting with pope [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- Rebel Music Author Hisham Aidi on the Relationship Between Hip-Hop and Islam [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Atheism, Agnosticism and the Pointlessness of "Absolute Certainty" - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- The New Safety Umbrella for school children [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Ambiquity a New Life Perspective [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Agnosticism vs Gnosticism | VEDA Day Eleven - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- NJ school sued after atheists object to 'Under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney responds to anti-religion group's complaint [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2014]
- WorldReligionNews.com Featured Contributor Series Continues with 'Finding Noah,' Scientology, Hinduism and Religious ... [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2014]
- Meet Miriam - the woman who keeps Nick Clegg on his toes [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Book World: Michael Cunninghams heavenly style rules in The Snow Queen [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Author Pochin Moulds adventure in life comes to an end [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Agnosticism, Aliens & Crazies - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Atheist on Agnosticism - Video [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2014]
- History of confession is a tale of sexual obsession, exploitation [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Outreach, Inc. Releases Church Resources for 'God's Not Dead' Movie [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]
- 'Sox vs Cubs': Rivalry as an exhibit [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2014]