PSA: There's no such thing as an "Agnostic". You are either a Theist or an Atheist. You either believe that a god exists or you don't. It's binary.
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ElwoodBlues · M
My world is filled with unknowns - will my dog's favorite treat be available in the supermarket next time I go? Will I need to water the lawn next week? I don't have either yes or no certainty about these questions. These are not binaries; I honestly don't know.
Does some kind of deity exist? Likewise uncertain. Likewise not a binary. I'm no theist; I'm no atheist; I'm an agnostic. Deal with it!
Does some kind of deity exist? Likewise uncertain. Likewise not a binary. I'm no theist; I'm no atheist; I'm an agnostic. Deal with it!
@ElwoodBlues
Sorry man, that's not a good analogy because it only incorporates the knowledge claim.
You are not in the position of either believing that your dog's favourite food exists or that it does not. You are only unsure of whether you'll be able to buy it.
In contrast, a person either believes that a god exists or does not believe that a god exists.
Whether or not they know that to be the case is a separate matter.
Unless you can say "Yes" to the question "Do you believe a god exists" then you are an atheist.
Theist/atheism describes your stance on belief, gnostic/agnostic describes your position on knowledge.
You can be an gnostic/agnostic Theist or a gnostic/agnostic Atheist. Those are the only choices.
Sorry man, that's not a good analogy because it only incorporates the knowledge claim.
You are not in the position of either believing that your dog's favourite food exists or that it does not. You are only unsure of whether you'll be able to buy it.
In contrast, a person either believes that a god exists or does not believe that a god exists.
Whether or not they know that to be the case is a separate matter.
Unless you can say "Yes" to the question "Do you believe a god exists" then you are an atheist.
Theist/atheism describes your stance on belief, gnostic/agnostic describes your position on knowledge.
You can be an gnostic/agnostic Theist or a gnostic/agnostic Atheist. Those are the only choices.
ElwoodBlues · M
@Pikachu Speak for yourself. I reserve the right to hold anything and everything in doubt. I doubt both the existence and the non-existence of a deity. Like Schrodinger's Cat, I'm in both states at once. I won't be forced into one your pigeonholes.
@ElwoodBlues
Your position of doubt is what makes you agnostic.
But if you can't affirm that you believe in a god (you can doubt it but still believe) then you're an atheist. In this case an agnostic atheist.
Simply stated: Your belief set meets the criteria to be considered an atheist, one who is unsure but an atheist none the less.
I'm not trying to force you into that category any more than i would force you into the category of human, primate or mammal. You meet the criteria to be placed in those groups. Same thing with agnostic atheism.
Your position of doubt is what makes you agnostic.
But if you can't affirm that you believe in a god (you can doubt it but still believe) then you're an atheist. In this case an agnostic atheist.
Simply stated: Your belief set meets the criteria to be considered an atheist, one who is unsure but an atheist none the less.
I'm not trying to force you into that category any more than i would force you into the category of human, primate or mammal. You meet the criteria to be placed in those groups. Same thing with agnostic atheism.
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