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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GJOFJ3 · 61-69, M
Theism:
A determined belief in the existence of a God
Atheism:
A determined belief in the non existence of a God
Agnosticism:
An undetermined belief about the existence of gods.
“My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well
I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell
Swear there ain't no heaven and pray there ain't no hell,
But I'll never know by living, only my dying will tell”,
If you are going to reduce this to a binary argument you would have atheists and theists on one side, ( those who have determined a fixed belief about the existence of a god or gods), and agnostics on the other side (those who have not determined a fixed belief in the existence of a god or gods)
A determined belief in the existence of a God
Atheism:
A determined belief in the non existence of a God
Agnosticism:
An undetermined belief about the existence of gods.
“My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well
I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell
Swear there ain't no heaven and pray there ain't no hell,
But I'll never know by living, only my dying will tell”,
If you are going to reduce this to a binary argument you would have atheists and theists on one side, ( those who have determined a fixed belief about the existence of a god or gods), and agnostics on the other side (those who have not determined a fixed belief in the existence of a god or gods)
@GJOFJ3
Well that is simply not true.
the·ist
/ˈTHēist/
1. a person who believes in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe.
2. denoting or relating to belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe.
a·the·ist
/ˈāTHēəst/
a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
Nowhere in either of those definitions is 100% certainty a necessary quality. But if you can find me a definition which includes as prerequisite only 100% certainty then de please share it.
But in reality there are many, many theists who believe in god but just aren't certain he's real. These are agnostic theists.
There are even more atheists (myself included) who are convinced that there exists no god but recognize that it is impossible to know for certain. These are agnostic atheists.
A theist is 100% sure there is a god. An atheist is 100% sure there is no god.
Well that is simply not true.
the·ist
/ˈTHēist/
1. a person who believes in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe.
2. denoting or relating to belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe.
a·the·ist
/ˈāTHēəst/
a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
Nowhere in either of those definitions is 100% certainty a necessary quality. But if you can find me a definition which includes as prerequisite only 100% certainty then de please share it.
But in reality there are many, many theists who believe in god but just aren't certain he's real. These are agnostic theists.
There are even more atheists (myself included) who are convinced that there exists no god but recognize that it is impossible to know for certain. These are agnostic atheists.
GJOFJ3 · 61-69, M
@Pikachu If you would take time to read my reply again, you will note I was careful not to reference all, but specifically referenced one theist, myself, that is 100% convinced there is a God, and one atheist, my college professor cousin, that is 100% convinced there is no god. Since not all theists would agree with me, and not all atheists would agree with him, and some agnostics would disagree with both of us, it is apparent to me that your binary argument is easily disproven.
@GJOFJ3
I definitely did read your examples...but i'm unsure why you think they disprove my argument.
You are a gnostic theist; a theist who is 100% certain that there is a god.
Your cousin is a gnostic (foolish) atheist; an atheist who is 100% certain there is no god.
In what way does this preclude people ( like me) who are convinced that there is no god but accept that it is impossible to be 100% sure that there is no god?
Let me ask you two questions:
1) Can you be a theist if you cannot honestly say "Yes, i believe in a god"?
2) Can an "agnostic" honestly say "Yes, i believe in a god"?
you will note I was careful not to reference all, but specifically referenced one theist, myself...
I definitely did read your examples...but i'm unsure why you think they disprove my argument.
You are a gnostic theist; a theist who is 100% certain that there is a god.
Your cousin is a gnostic (foolish) atheist; an atheist who is 100% certain there is no god.
In what way does this preclude people ( like me) who are convinced that there is no god but accept that it is impossible to be 100% sure that there is no god?
Let me ask you two questions:
1) Can you be a theist if you cannot honestly say "Yes, i believe in a god"?
2) Can an "agnostic" honestly say "Yes, i believe in a god"?