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20 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Sigh...this is the sort of thing that makes me twitch. Okay, here goes:
An atheist believes that there is a logical contradiction inherent in the idea of a/the God. Because it is otherwise impossible to prove that something doesn't exist (for example, try to prove that there is now or never was any such thing as a unicorn), atheists hold that the idea of God is logically impossible. Atheism is usually opposed to the traditional omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent God of monotheists. In other words, atheists find it impossible to believe that a being can be all-knowing, all-powerful and all good at the same time. They usually cite something like the problem of pain. (If God is all-good and all-powerful, how can He let bad things happen?)
I realize that there are atheists that are complete materialists and reject the idea of anything that can't be perceived through the senses. However, usual usage of the term "atheist" is one who doesn't believe in the Christian/Muslim/Jewish God. (Let's be honest: how often do you see atheists and Hindus duking it out?)
As for agnostics, there are two kinds: 1) those who think that it is impossible to know if God exists and 2) those who think it is possible, but aren't convinced one way or the other.
Here is an example to clarify. You're walking down the road, and a big light from the sky suddenly shines on you. You hear your name and are told to repent. Would you acknowledge the possibility that you had just witnessed a miracle, or would you immediately assume that you've done one too many acid trips?
The 2) kind of agnostic would believe that it is possible and that it might even be the proof they were looking for. The 1) kind of agnostic would lay off the drugs for a while; he doesn't believe that a God, even if He/She/It exists, can interfere in such a way in human affairs.
I realize that this might not be the simple answer you were looking for.
The quick answer is that atheists say no and that agnostics say maybe.
Some agnostics are convinceable, and some are not.
Source(s): Me. I actually paid attention in Philosophy of Religion! - 1 decade ago
If atheism is just disbelief in gods, then what is the difference between that and agnosticism?
Atheist is simply someone who does not believe in God. It's the whole root of the word.
Agnostic is logical belief in God. This person claims to say "well I don't believe, but I don't disbelieve either. They don't have proof either way."
As far as my understanding goes regarding Atheist and Agnostic; logically, They do NOT believe.
Source(s): Atheist & Agnostic, God is not about proof. God is about belief. That is the whole point of God. - katerineLv 45 years ago
It relies upon on notwithstanding in case you recommend the classic definitions of agnostic and atheist or the modern meanings of agnostic and atheist. Classically conversing, atheists and agnostics are the two people who've heavily analyzed the international around them based on the available archives, in comparison the distinctive theistic concept structures, and located them lacking. The atheist, at this element, concludes that there is not any deity, and would fall into considered one of a few categories at this element, alongside with a Darwinist who believes that existence on earth got here approximately by a sequence of random and statistically unbelievable activities, or a Designist who believes that existence replaced into started on earth via a existence variety from another place, yet that the existence variety in question isn't strictly a deity. The agnostic, at this element, concludes that there is not any thank you to comprehend notwithstanding if or no longer there easily is a God, and follows a concept equipment in accordance with that suitable of uncertainty. interior the in demand era, the guy who takes the label agnostic is seldom one which has made a intense inquiry into the existence of deity. somewhat, the modern agnostic is somebody who, somewhat than accepting than concluding that there is not any thank you to comprehend notwithstanding if or no longer there's a God, only does not somewhat care notwithstanding if or no longer there's a God. they have well-known that others interior the previous have appeared into the difficulty heavily, and that's stable sufficient for them. Agnosticism, then, turns into extra a count of convenience than of philosophical concept. The modern atheist isn't consistently lots extra diligent than the modern agnostic, regrettably. The modern atheist is philosophically somewhat extra truthful than the modern agnostic, because of the fact he or she says "because of the fact I easily have not considered any empirical evidence that convinces me there's a God, i do no longer think there is one", or something comparable. this does not recommend that they've completed any substantial study, or perhaps any study in any respect, yet they have a minimum of caught to the part of the formal definition that states they do no longer belive there's a God, while the agnostic has drifted from "we can't comprehend there's a God because of the fact he's hidden from us, in any different case there may be no faith", to "i do no longer care if there's a God or no longer, because of the fact i visit stay as I see extra wholesome besides".
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Agnostics aren't sure if there is a god. It means unknown.
Atheists, although most do lean slightly agnostic and remain open to the idea, do not believe in any kind of gods.
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- 1 decade ago
An agnostic thinks that God might exist, but still has reservations about it...An athiest thinks there is no God.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Athiests believe there is no God while Agnostics don't believe eiether or and simple knows it is possible for God to exist.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Atheists do not believe in the existance of a god or diety. Agnostics believe in the existance of a god or diety, but don't know what it is, can't explain it, don't belong to any organized religion. . . . I would say.
- 1 decade ago
Agnostic, says that they are not sure if there is a God.
Athiest, says there is no God
- 1 decade ago
Agnostics suspend belief about God and Atheists make the statement that no god exists.