Atheism vs. Agnosticism

Ralph47 · Jan 30, 2018

It seems that "a distinction without a difference" between the two exists.

A good analogy is: an atheist is outside the fence, the agnostic is ON the fence, while the theist is IN the pit of hungry lions. As you can see, no difference for practical purposes between outside the fence and on it, but you're only gonna get eaten if in the pit! :redface:

Gnostic literally means (especially to the non-religious) "possessing knowledge", so unless one is born anencephalic, all 7.5 billion on Earth are gnostic to varying degrees, and zero are agnostic.

The only human entities that could be considered agnostic would be the pre-persons/pre-born (zygotes, embryos, and fetuses).

Any thoughts? :unsure:

Ralph47 · Jan 30, 2018

I've never thought about whether I'm agnostic or atheist, as I've never seen an actual difference (unlike theists might). But today I give it serious thought, and conclude I'm a GNOSTIC ATHEIST. :smug:

arcturus88 · Jan 30, 2018

Let google clear it up for you...

ag·nos·tic
noun
noun: agnostic; plural noun: agnostics

1.
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

a·the·ist
noun
noun: atheist; plural noun: atheists

a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.

Glad I could be of help in your journey.

arcturus88 · Jan 30, 2018

you are making the argument that there is no difference between these statements:

1. I don't know

2. no

Ralph47 · Jan 30, 2018

arcturus88 said:
Let google clear it up for you...
Glad I could be of help in your journey.

Actually... you are dwelling on the theist definition, while as a non one, I only recognize (and can relate to) the non one.

Ralph47 · Feb 2, 2018

arcturus88 said:
you are making the argument that there is no difference between these statements:

1. I don't know

2. no

They BOTH mean: "not yes".

Sometimes "I don't no" is a polite way of no. If you ask someone if they want to go see a movie, and they say "I don't know", you can be pretty certain they mean NO.

Iolo · Feb 3, 2018

I'd guess that a lot of sensible people everywhere, and especially here, don't see the need to define themselves in such antiquated terms. As I frequently point out, even with American Right-wingers I see no need to define myself as an antiphlogistonist or even a Flat Earth Doubter.

Ralph47 · Feb 3, 2018

Iolo said:
I'd guess that a lot of sensible people everywhere, and especially here, don't see the need to define themselves in such antiquated terms. As I frequently point out, even with American Right-wingers I see no need to define myself as an antiphlogistonist or even a Flat Earth Doubter.

Did you mean anti-phlogistonist?

No such word as antiphlogistonist!!!

I can see why you would be an anti-phlogistonist, I am too, not that I think about it.

phlogiston

noun
1.
a nonexistent chemical that, prior to the discovery of oxygen, was thought to be released during combustion.

TristanRobin · May 1, 2021

Atheists Are Sometimes More Religious Than Christians

A new study shows how poorly we understand the beliefs of people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular.