What is an agnostic, and how does that differ from athiesm?

Agnosticism: Absence of knowledge.

Atheism: Absence of belief.

Gnosticism: (Certain) knowledge.

Theism: Belief.

It's often a misconception that being agnostic is mutually exclusive from atheism and theism.

It's also a misconception, as your first answer shows, that atheism means being gnostic.

There are multiple kinds of agnostics.

You can be an agnostic theist, where you believe that a deity exists, but you cannot determine which religion is correct.

You can be an agnostic with an atheist tilt where you believe that there is a good chance that there isn't a god but you can't be sure.

And then there are balanced agnostics who are almost completely 50% sure there is a god, and 50% chance that there isn't.

But generally, an agnostic is someone who doesn't know whether or not there is a god.

And an atheist knows that there isn't a god.

Agnostics are generally a little less harsh toward organized religions, because they claim uncertainty about what is true regarding matters of the existence of God, Agnostics can be either atheist or belong to any religion. Atheists usually do not belong to any religion.

Many religious people often regard them as the same however.

Agnostics simply believe that the existence of a God or Gods cannot be proofed- I.E.- there is not enough evidence either way. Agnostics can be Atheists or even think there may be a God but never have a way to prove his existence.

When I'm feeling atheist - I am adamant about the fact that gods do NOT exist.

When I'm feeling more agnostic - I support the theory that gods have never been seen or proved to exist ... but nobody can say one way or another.

When someone is an agnostic they believe that people can't know whether or not a god exists or doesn't exist. When someone is an atheist they believe no god exists.

The difference is an agnostic believes in the possibility of a god and an atheist is certain there are no gods.

An agnostic is a person who believes nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.

An atheist is a person who disbelieves in the existence of God or gods.

It doesn't. Atheism is a lack of BELIEF in God. Agnosticism is a lack of KNOWLEDGE of whether God exists or not. Thus you cannot know for certain but you can still say "I don't believe God exists because there is no evidence behind that claim."

Thus, you are an agnostic atheist.

EDIT:happily strange forever, you are wrong. Atheists don't claim to be certain that there are no Gods. Keyword here is lack of BELIEF!

Agnostic means that you dont know that God exists.

Atheist means that you dont believe that God exists.

You can be both at the same time.

Agnosticism holds the position that it is impossible for one to know the existence of God (eg there is no way to tell if God does or does not exist). Atheism holds a lack of belief in God (there is no evidence for God, therefore God does not exist).