Agnosticism

The majority of the worlds population is comprised of adherents to one relgion or another. A small but vocal minority are atheists. Those who believe that 90% of the worlds population are wrong. And then there is a third group. Those who neither affirm nor deny the existence of a deity(ies). They believe that it is impossible to know the existence of God(s). Thomas H. Huxley, in the 19th century, believed that only that which was material was knowable. He first coined the term agnostic. Gnostics, from the Greek word knowledge, referred to those with an esoteric knowledge of spiritual things. Agnostic refers to those without that knowledge. Perhaps the agnostics are the most honest out of all three groups, or maybe they are indecisive. At any rate, since it is not technically a religion, they only get three stars.

Agnosticism is a belief system best fit for procrastinators, democrats, and the indecisive. For example, Agnostics typically believe that it is impossible to prove that god exists or does not exist therefore; they make the ultimate fence sitters. The origins of Agnosticism are uncertain however, rumors and sketchy research credits the concept of this belief system to a Dr. Heathcliff “Cliff” Huxtable, fifth century philosopher and mathematician Protagoras creator of the protractor, and famous de-Stalinizer Nikita Khrushchev. The culmination of their reasoning saw the construction of the critically acclaimed (and hated by the Catholic Church) Agnostic Verses. The basic premise of the text states that a true agnostic realizes the likely hood of the existence of God (or non-existence) somewhere however, the human race being mostly populated by morons, will never find him. In addition, Agnostics believe in a person’s right to believe or disbelieve. Agnostics themselves vary in the types ... Read more

Acceptable.

I think I'm agnostic, but I need proof.

The biggest problem with Agnosticism is that you are never certain if you should take a religious day off as a holiday.

What's wrong with being agnostic? You are totally unbiased and the most sane of all people. If god is fake, so be it. If he is real, so be it ;) don't worry about the big question "is he real". Atheists will say no, Christians will say yes, and an agnostic will say I don't know, I don't care now stop worrying and enjoy your day.

You may be able to deny with open voice, but really deep down can you deny the creator?

Agnosticism is self-contradictory: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog. view&friendID;=80898967&blogID;=343377733

A reasoned viewpoint, often misinterpreted by both its supporters and its detractors.

Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith Narrated by Abu Hurayrah The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: There is no prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus (peace be upon him). He will descent (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah. Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him. (HR.Abu Daud (4324), Qishshah Ad Dajjal, Ash Shahihah (2182) Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith Narrated by Fatimah, daughter (binti) of Qays The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) once delayed the congregational night prayer. He came out and said: The talk of Tamim ad-Dari detained me. He transmitted it to me from a man who was on of of... Read more

As it stands, I am slightly agnostic. I believe the essence of the Bible is true, but it has been changed and corrupted through time. The Bible is old, and has been referenced to in many ancient texts, and I think that adds some credibility to it. However, the Middle Ages were a harsh and bloody time, and I think it's possible, and likely, that it was twisted and corrupted. Even through translations, I think we have lost a lot of what the Bible originally said. I don't know what to believe about God, and he is a big mystery to me. I guess I will take my chances and put my faith into being a Christian, but I really wish I had more credibility to the religion. I won't abandon Christianity, since Evolution is literally impossible and disobeys Sciences own laws, and it seems to be more likely and backed-up by more scientific proof than any other religion.

Yes; in which matter can a person be sure? Can you say "anything" that you are sure?

Though it is pertinent to be cautious when deciding where to put your faith, this should only be the middle step.  Once you know yourself, taking a stand for your beliefs is necessary.  But those who are willing to admit that they will never truly understand the world they live in completely, have the first and most important trait required to gain true knowledge.

Agnosticism means one who questions whether there's a God or not. There's nothing wrong with asking questions. It's all in the attitude that the questions are being asked. Personally speaking, there is no question.  God is real.

As an ardent orthodox, agnostic fundamentalist, I just can't make up my mind.

No, because agnostics are pretty low-key;they just want to be left alone. They don't proselytize, either. Agnosticism probably doesn't appeal to many people. There aren't any churches, because agnostics don't like churches, and there's no dogma, because agnostics either don't know what they believe or haven't made up their minds yet.

more applicable to some who claim to be athiests.........this term moreso applies

If you attempt to ignore the weather, it does not mean you remove yourself from its effects.

this is for the uninformed that cant make up their minds

People who are confused.

No! no way!

interesting but still wierd!

basically we're all in this boat whether we like it or not

The most open minded people around!!!

let's hear it for fence sitters, yay!

It's cool, except for the fact that religion is based on faith, not fact, so how can those things be proven?

Watch out sausage your headin for the grill:)

It's hard to argue with this logic..I mean why should a seeker take ANYONE's word for the metaphysical unless they've been to the other side and can prove it.

uh...ok

neva heard of it

I rate this "OK" cuz religion can be very confusing to ppl, and to me someone's beliefs take much consideration and can be a very difficult decision...especially if they're are feeling un-fulfilled within their current belief system and are looking into other beliefs in order to consider the possibility of converting to another religion

Just another false religion leading people away from the path of rightousness.

God in His word is the best defense against agnosticism. A movement aimed to promote denial based on ignorance.

they dont believe in god...from what i hear

That's where I am at.

totaly

No offense, but I believe everyone has to take a stand of some kind.

...interesting.

Agnosticism should remain a philosophy and not a religion. I know many Agnostic, and they not only sit on the fence about God/s and religion, but on countless subjects. Pick a side.

I am not philisophical about God, he is not a comparison, but the truth. I can be metaphorical in my speaking of his goodness though, so I give this "following" two stars!

you have to have something to believe in...

No faith, again???? Like there aren't enough to chose from?

A step above Atheism, in that they at least admit that God is a possibility.

This is a response to rok100 concerning the bible verses in 2Kings chapter 6 and verse 26.I have no idea what relevance this scripture has to do with the topic of agnosticism,but I will answer his unfounded charges with  determination so that he doesn't lead someone else astray because of his ignorant statements.The scripture in that passage indeed is describing cannibalism.This act of cannibalism occurs during a famine in Samaria.These people in question had NO food to eat,and whatever food there was, was very costly.Having said that, as far as voting for Bush...guilty as charged,and know that I am not any happier than you are concerning his decisions concerning the war in Iraq,but I pray for him and know that there is a destiny and God alone knows why all these things have to happen.If you read the review below,you will know that I respect science and have listened to leading scientists (who also happen to be Christian) explain the DNA theories that have been discovered recently thro... Read more

Concerning the last entry: The verse in Psalms mentioned and the verses before it speak of Babylon and the evil committed against Jerusalem. The "little ones" represent the future generations, and so must be destroyed if the enemy is truly to be eradicated. This does not mean that God hates children. As far as cannibalism goes, the word of God was fulfilled; among the threatenings of God's judgments upon Israel for their sins this was one (Deuteronomy 28:53-57), that they should eat the flesh of their own children, which one would think incredible, yet it came to pass.

This is actually a bastardized usage of the word, because it's real definition (from the Greek) is related to the ancient epistemological question about knowledge - it means "without knowledge" and it deals with the concept that nothing can ever really be 'known', so everyhing is therefore a matter of personal belief, and, as everyone here knows, that's a modern CHRISTIAN concept, Christians are the real "agnostics".To illustrate my point, let's look at biblical cannibalism for a moment. (because, in the entire history of mankind, no one has EVER said "Dammit, do we HAVE to? Cannibalism is so BORING!")  This is taken DIRECTLY from  the King James Version of the bible, word-for-word and VERBATIM even: ='D*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*II Kings Chapter 6:Verse 29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.   Verse 30 And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that h... Read more

not a religion

It is on the rise as religion declines. It is more of a Western phenomenon. It substitutes for being indifferent.

Not a religion, although I can see the sense in having it in this list, since it takes a position on religious belief in general.  I paraphrase Blaise Pascal, in the Pensées:  "I feel nothing but compassion for the people who do not know, and spend their lives struggling to learn:  but I have nothing but disgust for those who don't care."

I don't really know whether I'm agnostic or not. j/k.