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By contrast, the formal definition of [[atheism]] given by encycylopedias of [[philosophy]] such as the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'' (and other philosophy reference works) is that atheism is the denial of the existence of God (see: [[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic|Definitions of atheist and agnostic]]).<ref>Multiple references:

By contrast, the formal definition of [[atheism]] given by encycylopedias of [[philosophy]] such as the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'' (and other philosophy reference works) is that atheism is the denial of the existence of God (see: [[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic|Definitions of atheist and agnostic]]).<ref>Multiple references:

*Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism "Atheism and agnosticism"]. ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).  

*Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism "Atheism and agnosticism"]. ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).  

*Merriam-Webster dictionary: Atheism -  a disbelief in the existence of deity; the doctrine that there is no deity. Origin of atheism: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism]

*Merriam-Webster dictionary: Atheism -  a disbelief in the existence of deity; the doctrine that there is no deity. Origin of atheism: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism]

*Atheism: a + theos, denying god, (Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology-1966).

*Atheism: a + theos, denying god, (Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology-1966).

*Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). [http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational "Atheism is more rational?"].  See [[Creation Ministries International]], [[Jonathan Sarfati]].

*Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). [http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational "Atheism is more rational?"].  See [[Creation Ministries International]], [[Jonathan Sarfati]].

Up until at least 1970, there was a rise of agnosticism in the world. However, in the latter part of the 20th century and beyond, there was a decline of [[global agnosticism]] (see: [[History of agnosticism]]).

Up until at least 1970, there was a rise of agnosticism in the world. However, in the latter part of the 20th century and beyond, there was a decline of [[global agnosticism]] (see: [[History of agnosticism]]).

T. H. Huxley was an vociferous proponent of Darwinism and the worldview of Darwinism had extremely harmful effects on the world as it was influential in terms of [[Social Darwinism]], [[Communism]], [[Nazism]] and [[evolutionary racism]] (See: [[History of agnosticism|History of agnosticism]]).

T. H. Huxley was an vociferous proponent of Darwinism and the worldview of Darwinism had extremely harmful effects on the world as it was influential in terms of [[Social Darwinism]], [[Communism]], [[Nazism]] and [[evolutionary racism]] (See: [[History of agnosticism]]).

== Analysis of agnosticism and common objections to agnosticism ==

== Analysis of agnosticism and common objections to agnosticism ==

The Oxford University Professor [[Daniel Came]] (an atheist) wrote to Richard Dawkins: "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for Christian [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>

The Oxford University Professor [[Daniel Came]] (an atheist) wrote to Richard Dawkins: "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for Christian [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>

In October of 2011, [[William Lane Craig]] went to England and the ''Daily Telegraph'' declared that Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for his refusal to debate William Lane Craig plus declared that Dawkins is a "proud man" and a "coward" who puts on an "illiterate, angry schtick" for the public.<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100112626/richard-dawkins-is-either-a-fool-or-a-coward-for-refusing-to-debate-william-lane-craig/ Richard Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for refusing to debate William Lane Craig - October 21, 2011 - ''The Daily Telegraph'']</ref>  In addition, [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[True Free Thinker|Mariano Grinbank]] called Dawkins a "cowardly clown" because Dawkins and other prominent atheists refused to debate [[Creation Ministries International]] at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention.<ref>[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown Richard Dawkins, the Cowardly Clown]</ref>

In October 2011, [[William Lane Craig]] went to England and the ''Daily Telegraph'' declared that Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for his refusal to debate William Lane Craig plus declared that Dawkins is a "proud man" and a "coward" who puts on an "illiterate, angry schtick" for the public.<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100112626/richard-dawkins-is-either-a-fool-or-a-coward-for-refusing-to-debate-william-lane-craig/ Richard Dawkins is either a fool or a coward for refusing to debate William Lane Craig - October 21, 2011 - ''The Daily Telegraph'']</ref>  In addition, [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[True Free Thinker|Mariano Grinbank]] called Dawkins a "cowardly clown" because Dawkins and other prominent atheists refused to debate [[Creation Ministries International]] at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention.<ref>[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown Richard Dawkins, the Cowardly Clown]</ref>

[[File:Shmuley Boteach.jpg|thumbnail|130px|right|Shmuley Boteach

[[File:Shmuley Boteach.jpg|thumbnail|130px|right|Shmuley Boteach

 

<small>(see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RebShmuley.jpg license agreement])</small> ]]

<small>(see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RebShmuley.jpg license agreement])</small> ]]

Below are some resources relating to Dawkins refusal to debate various debate opponents:

Below are some resources relating to Dawkins refusal to debate various debate opponents:

''See also:'' [[Global agnosticism]] and [[Desecularization]] and [[Agnosticism statistics]] and [[Global atheism]]

''See also:'' [[Global agnosticism]] and [[Desecularization]] and [[Agnosticism statistics]] and [[Global atheism]]

[[File:Europe map.png|thumbnail|right|165px|[[Secular Europe]] has one of the highest rates of agnosticism rates in the world.  

[[File:Europe map.png|thumbnail|right|165px|[[Secular Europe]] has one of the highest rates of agnosticism rates in the world.  

 

According to the agnostic and religious demography scholar [[Eric Kaufmann]], in the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Christians in Europe, many from the developing world.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] ]]

According to the agnostic and religious demography scholar [[Eric Kaufmann]], in the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Christians in Europe, many from the developing world.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] ]]

In 2015, Pew Research indicated in their report The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050 that  agnostics and atheists “will make up a declining share of the world’s total population.”<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/ The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050], Pew Research Forum</ref>

In 2015, Pew Research indicated in their report The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050 that  agnostics and atheists “will make up a declining share of the world’s total population.”<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/ The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050], Pew Research Forum</ref>

''See also:'' [[Agnosticism debates]]

''See also:'' [[Agnosticism debates]]

Despite there being more self-described agnostics in the world than self-described atheists (See also: [[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic]])<ref>[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Table on the projected global shrinkage/growth of various worldviews including atheism and agnosticism] (Source: Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)</ref>, since at least the latter part of the 20th century, there have been more [[atheism vs. Christianity]] debates than atheism vs. agnosticism debates (see: [[Atheism debates]] and [[Christianity vs. atheism debates]]).  In recent times, however, there have been notable cases of atheists being unwilling to engage in debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).  

Despite there being more self-described agnostics in the world than self-described atheists (See also: [[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic]]),<ref>[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Table on the projected global shrinkage/growth of various worldviews including atheism and agnosticism] (Source: Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)</ref> since at least the latter part of the 20th century, there have been more [[atheism vs. Christianity]] debates than atheism vs. agnosticism debates (see: [[Atheism debates]] and [[Christianity vs. atheism debates]]).  In recent times, however, there have been notable cases of atheists being unwilling to engage in debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).  

For a listing of notable agnosticism related debates, please see: [[Agnosticism debates]]

For a listing of notable agnosticism related debates, please see: [[Agnosticism debates]]

== Charles Darwin and agnosticism  ==

== Charles Darwin and agnosticism  ==

[[File:CharlesDarwin.jpg|alt=evolution darwin theory|left|thumb|200px|Late in [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin's]] life, Darwin told the Duke of Argyll that he frequently had overwhelming thoughts that the natural world was the [[Intelligent design|result of design]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>  

[[File:CharlesDarwin.jpg|alt=evolution darwin theory|left|thumb|200px|Late in [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin's]] life, Darwin told the Duke of Argyll that he frequently had overwhelming thoughts that the natural world was the [[Intelligent design|result of design]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>  

 

In a letter to [[Asa Gray]], Darwin confided: "...I am quite conscious that my speculations run quite beyond the bounds of true [[science]]."<ref>http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/entry-2109</ref>]]  

In a letter to [[Asa Gray]], Darwin confided: "...I am quite conscious that my speculations run quite beyond the bounds of true [[science]]."<ref>http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/entry-2109</ref>]]  

[[Charles Darwin]] likely abandoned [[Christianity]] as a student when he disappointed his father by refusing to become a minister.  In his autobiography Charles Darwin wrote about the diminishment of his religious faith and Darwin stated that he was an [[agnostic]].<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>  Darwin wrote the following: "The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic."<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>  However, Darwin stated in his private notebooks that he was a [[materialism|materialist]], which is a type of [[atheism|atheist]].<ref>http://www.creation.com/content/view/1877</ref>  

[[Charles Darwin]] likely abandoned [[Christianity]] as a student when he disappointed his father by refusing to become a minister.  In his autobiography Charles Darwin wrote about the diminishment of his religious faith and Darwin stated that he was an [[agnostic]].<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>  Darwin wrote the following: "The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic."<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>  However, Darwin stated in his private notebooks that he was a [[materialism|materialist]], which is a type of [[atheism|atheist]].<ref>http://www.creation.com/content/view/1877</ref>  

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilisation of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature—I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away.”(Argyll 1885, 244]<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>}}

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilisation of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature—I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away.”(Argyll 1885, 244]<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>}}

For most of his adult life Charles Darwin suffered from very poor health.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/darwins_illness.asp</ref> The 1992 ''New Encyclopaedia Britannica '' stated that Darwin's illness was psychogenic in origin (A psychogenic illness is one that originates in the mind or in mental condition). <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/darwins_illness.asp</ref> see: [[Charles Darwin's illness]]

For most of his adult life Charles Darwin suffered from very poor health.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/darwins_illness.asp</ref> The 1992 ''New Encyclopaedia Britannica '' stated that Darwin's illness was psychogenic in origin (A psychogenic illness is one that originates in the mind or in mental condition).<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/darwins_illness.asp</ref> see: [[Charles Darwin's illness]]

== Famous agnostics ==

== Famous agnostics ==

* [[Christianity in Conservapedia]]

* [[Christianity in Conservapedia]]

== External Links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.greatcom.org/resources/secular_religions/ch01/default.htm Atheism, Agnosticism, and Skepticism] Synopsis of Understanding Secular Religions by [[Josh McDowell]] and Don Stewart

* [http://www.greatcom.org/resources/secular_religions/ch01/default.htm Atheism, Agnosticism, and Skepticism] Synopsis of Understanding Secular Religions by [[Josh McDowell]] and Don Stewart