Why do many atheists not like it when someone describes themselves as agnostic rather than Atheist?

agnostic - one who holds that nothing is known, nor can be known, of anything outside the physical sphere, and that the subject of a First Cause (ie.God) is a subject about which we know nothing

atheist - one who holds that all gods/Gods presented by men and women are imaginary

If a person has the position that nobody knows about God, then that person rejects all gods/Gods, and is also an atheist.

Agnosticism is a position on knowledge, where atheism is a position on God.

An agnostic is not a fence-sitting, generic-God-believing person, that requires theism.

"I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal God is a childlike one. You may call me an agnostic, but I do not share the crusading spirit of the professional atheist whose fervor is mostly due to a painful act of liberation from the fetters of religious indoctrination received in youth. I prefer an attitude of humility " - Einstein

Note how Einstein also said:

"The idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept I am unable to take seriously."

Agnosticism as you defined it, is not about theism or atheism, it is only about what may be known, not what is believed. There is nothing preventing someone from being an agnostic who is also theist, since that describes most of those who *believe* in a God entirely on the strength of their faith, without having supporting evidence for their belief. Equally however there is nothing preventing someone from being an agnostic and also an atheist who disbelieves in any God or gods. In the context of your definition the concepts are not mutually exclusive.

I have an issue when people are talking about belief and the say something like "I am not a theist or atheist, I am agnostic". They don't seem to know what agnostic or atheist means.

First, if I say I'm an atheist, then that is what I say, and it is not the same thing as an agnostic. I REALLY do not like it if OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE NERVE to try to contradict me when I say what I am.

Along those same lines, theists do not KNOW there is a god, they only BELIEVE it. So I could damn well call THEM agnostics too. They THINK they know, but I say they ONLY believe, and they know that it is impossible to KNOW.

How many Christians do you think wold accept such a declaration by me? How many would vehemently disagree and defend their right to call themselves Christians?

When someone other than you tries to label you with a label other than the one you put on yourself, be prepared to fight.

Lady M

Boxing gloves on

I don't care if someone describes themselves as agnostic. However, if that is an answer to the question about what someone believes, it is not a valid answer. Agnosticism is a position on knowledge, specifically the position that it is not possible to KNOW if any god exists. The question on BELIEF in gods requires an answer on the position of BELIEF in gods.

Yes = theist.

No = atheist.

Because agnostic still doesn't give the whole answer.

Like, there are agnostic theists, who believe in gods that want you to keep believing on faith.

And there are agnostic atheists who don't believe in gods because of lack of evidence either way.

But just not knowing whether gods exist? Doesn't give you much information to go with, eh.

Saying you are an Agnostic and nothing else is an incomplete answer. Agnosticism is about your position on knowledge, whereas atheism and theism are positions on belief. The fact is, most atheists are *also* agnostic, at least with respect to gods in general (they may not be agnostic about specific gods).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic_atheism

I do not like either words, atheist and agnostic. I guess it is just that I do not like how they seem to sound. I prefer humanist.

Atheists really could not care less.

When you "see quite a few people stating" such things ... it means that you aren't listening.

I know of no atheists who have any issue with agnosticism. I am an atheist and I have no issue with the concept.