Fellow Agnostics...do you have to keep telling people that being agnostic is not the same?

Just accept the fact that most Christians have very little interest in learning the difference between agnostics and atheists. To them, anyone who doesn't believe in their particular viewpoint is going to hell, and that's all there is to it. It's pointless to argue with them, and if you let them put you on the defensive, you're just asking for this sort of problem.

Turn it around on them, if you must discuss religion with your family, and put -them- on the defensive instead. Ask them enough hard questions about their faith, and eventually they will leave you alone, because they won't have the ability to answer.

That's how I deal with it, though I usually try to avoid discussing religion with my Christian family members.

I also wanted to say in response to the person who thinks 'agnostics are annoying because they can't make up their minds': Those who claim to know everything usually know nothing.

A gnostic is one who has experienced a religious gnosis and claims knowledge of the unknowable the metaphysical. As a scientist I cannot claim knowledge before solving the problem, or researching the question. As yet I am ignorant of the metaphysical nature that other people grasp with faith. This is not a rejection or a hostile position but one that is open to further information, should it appear. I am equally agnostic on all topics outside what I have direct knowledge, evidence or sensible experience with, that fall within the realm of metaphysics or the absolute. Science cannot explore the enigmas and I have yet to to find philosophical support for any other position.

I cannot claim atheism because that is also a position of certainty about an area I simply cannot claim any sensible knowledge or mystical awareness. I have no certainty beyond my experience and grasp of the world. One experience of the ineffable would falsify the concept that the world was limited to natural phenomena. I am openly curious and constantly amazed with the field of biological study but I have never come across something that is miraculous in the sense of having divine significance in my work, but it is still possible I will. What I do accept is that the scientific method offers me the best process for exploring the world for myself.

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Agnosticism relates to knowledge, atheist relates to belief...you are either an agnostic atheist or agnostic theist

Edit: But you don't seem to be making that distinction...that is how you deal with people mistaking the two. No need to be rude

The problem is that the terms have no fixed meaning in usage. (The dictionary is not particularly useful.) There are numerous mindsets that fall under a limited sets of labels. In the end, don't worry about the label.

Never have this problem because i know there religion better then they do so can flip there dumb talk on them so easy, so they don't say anything about religion or they will get there own stupid religion put to test in right front of them.

As I see it, the problem comes when one examines the etymology of the word. When "a" is used to prefix a word, in essence you are saying "without" (i.e. amoral: without morals). Hence, by proclaiming that one is agnostic, he/she in effect is saying that they are "without knowledge".... a proclamation that leaves one open to obvious ridicule.

Just my two yuan's worth.

Agnostics are annoying because they think they're superior just because they haven't made their mind up on something. I'm glad there's only a few, I even prefer the company of Christians to be honest.

If you don't believe in god you are atheist, if you believe in god you are theist, I cannot seem to understand being both.

Everyone is an agnostic.

To try and create your own exclusive category for such is absurd. As is your support of American media-style 'equal time' given to dichotomies, no matter how absurd, to generate false drama and debate and attention: trolling.