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Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic (view source)
Revision as of 13:30, August 29, 2007
, 13:30, August 29, 2007many long and pointless debates where advocates argue at cross purposes because the do not agree on the meaning of terms.
The core meaning of ''agnostic'' is a refusal to take either of the two main positions on the existence of God. The agnostic neither believes in God, nor denies that He exists.
The core meaning of ''agnostic'' is a refusal to take either of the two main positions on the existence of God. The agnostic neither believes in God, nor denies that He exists.
==Atheism==
The term ''atheism'' is often used to mean denial of God's existence. For example, "John Doe says that God does not exist."
The same term is also used in as an umbrella term which combines or includes both the atheist position and the agnostic position. "Mary Roe says that she doesn't believe in God." This can mean either that she completely denies God's existence, or that she simply is unsure whether He exists or not.
The imprecision of the umbrella term leads to many long and pointless debates where advocates argue at cross purposes because the do not agree on the meaning of terms.
==Agnosticism==
Some writers use the term ''agnostic'' in the general sense of being undecided. For example, "Smith isn't sure whether God exists or not." Others add to this a specific reason for being undecided, which elevates the position to the following argument:
Some writers use the term ''agnostic'' in the general sense of being undecided. For example, "Smith isn't sure whether God exists or not." Others add to this a specific reason for being undecided, which elevates the position to the following argument: