Atheism vs. Agnosticism

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That's actually not entirely accurate. If you're unsure about the existence of gods, then that would make you agnostic. Certainty in their lack of existence (whether you know or it's just a belief) makes you an atheist.



Let me tell you something: Zen Buddhism is really stupid.

/wonders how many will understand

It's frequent to see atheism and agnoticism put together, which, as a agnoticism with atheism tendency, I really dislike.


How come?

Is there any difference between disbelief and agnosticism regarding invisible fire breathing dragons?

How come he said it or how come Zen Buddhism is really stupid?

ruveyn

when it comes to morals and the big question absolute anything is dangerous, this is why i am agnostic

I think there's probably far too little time for religious people, atheists and agnostics to ever come to a civil agreement. Arguments will always happen, egos will always be in the way and people will always be dim.

Without further casue for interruption. the stupid video I found to suit this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jncCLe39Btg[/youtube]

00001110010101010101011010 hey to you..... it is my understanding that the area of contention is the invisibility
quotient.

the moral question of yes or no, in or out, up or down are all dependent on whether or not fire breathers, as opposed to non fire breathers (whom all are certain are not invisible) have that unique ability to bend light waves.

i myself am not certain about anything, not even my own existence. perhaps my murder was not reversed by that stupid physician in the e.r. and i am just thoughts floating in some alternate universe that some theists might call---the hell-----.

so, until i can gather more information, which may or not be possible, i remain an agnostic. i hope for invisible fire breathing dragons. what a sad world this would be without them. would that all those 100%certain types be wrong.

Are you certain of the above assertion. If you are then you contradict yourself and if you aren't you just might be certain about something. Beware of using the word "anything".

ruveyn

invisible fire breathing dragons are not really good things. They like to toast people for fun. Now are you worried that you will be toasted by an invisible fire breathing dragons?

I know just a few of things... And I know God is a human psychosis. So I'm atheist.

Nope. You confuse general Atheism with Gnostic Atheism. Atheism is simply a lack of belief in gods, not the positive belief that they do not or cannot exist. "Agnostic" by itself doesn't refer to a belief or lack thereof at all.

(A)gnostic - (Lack of) Knowledge
(A)theist - (Lack of) God belief

Agnostic Atheist: I don't know whether god exists, but I don't believe it does.
Gnostic Atheist: I know whether god exists, and it doesn't.

Agnostic Theist: I don't know whether god exists, but I believe it does.
Gnostic Theist: I know whether god exists, and it does.


Very interesting to see how many people are confused about the definitions of different concepts here,
no offense intended.

I'm still confused about what a Theist is. What the heck is a theist?

One who believes in the existence of and who worships the gods of Judaism or Christianity or Islam. The gods of the pagans are not included.

ruveyn

Nope. As far as I know, there is no special term for followers of Abrahamic religions.

"Theist" was originally coined to differentiate one's beliefs from the once-popular Deism, the belief in a non-intervening, non-personal creator god, but in it's current broad sense, it refers to one who believes in at least one deity, the type or number or nature of which are not criteria. It's in contrast to "atheism".

May I suggest dictionary.com and Wikipedia for those who are further interested in expanding their knowledge?
It's also important to use the broadest definition for practical purposes.

For instance, there's a real confusion of general Atheism with Gnostic Atheism here,
leading people to label themselves "agnostic" when they are actually agnostic atheists.

010111001011000010101010000010100101001010101001010010100010101010101111101010101000010101010100101010101010101001010010010100100010100101010001010101010010101001001010101010101010010101111110010010101001001010101010100101: no, actually i welcome the toasting and i hope, consumption, by the i. f. b. d. at least my existence will then have been for something.

Ask a Zen Buddhist. Or, better yet, tell them that Zen Buddhism is really stupid.

You just might become enlightened.

If you cannot find a Zen Buddhist, then a scholar of religions (probably one with a degree or Huston Smith) would work as well.

To Bethie and ruveyn:

Definition of Agnostic
Definition of Atheist
Definition of Theist (theism)

Though the theist definition doesn't specifically say the God of Abraham, the specific version of it does not manage to accurately include all god-like beings and religions (and non-religions) surrounding them.

Ironically enough, autism is listed as a word rhyming with theism.