Difference between revisions of "Agnosticism"
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| − | '''Agnosticism''' is the belief that [[God]]'s existence or lack of existence is unknowable. | + | '''Agnosticism''' is the belief that [[God]]'s existence or lack of existence is unknowable. |
The word "agnostic" was coined by [[T. H. Huxley]]<ref>T. H. Huxley was also an early and influential supporter of Darwinism.</ref> from the Greek roots ''a-'' not, and ''-gnostic,'' knowing; the philosopher [[Herbert Spencer]] was influential in spreading its use. One nineteenth-century saw held that "There is no god but the Unknowable, and Herbert Spencer is his prophet."<ref>London, Jack (1913), ''Martin Eden,'' [http://london.sonoma.edu/Writings/MartinEden/chapter13.html Chapter 13]</ref> | The word "agnostic" was coined by [[T. H. Huxley]]<ref>T. H. Huxley was also an early and influential supporter of Darwinism.</ref> from the Greek roots ''a-'' not, and ''-gnostic,'' knowing; the philosopher [[Herbert Spencer]] was influential in spreading its use. One nineteenth-century saw held that "There is no god but the Unknowable, and Herbert Spencer is his prophet."<ref>London, Jack (1913), ''Martin Eden,'' [http://london.sonoma.edu/Writings/MartinEden/chapter13.html Chapter 13]</ref> | ||
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Some atheists bristle at the term ''atheist''. They say they aren't atheists, because they don't "believe that God does not exist" but rather "neither believe nor disbelieve". | Some atheists bristle at the term ''atheist''. They say they aren't atheists, because they don't "believe that God does not exist" but rather "neither believe nor disbelieve". | ||
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| + | Agnostics differ from regular [[Atheism|atheists]] in that they do not deny God's existence. | ||
Many religious believers make no distinction among non-believers. If you're not sure that God exists, they combine the unsure and "surely not" into one lump. For these believers, an "atheist" is anyone who doesn't believe in God. | Many religious believers make no distinction among non-believers. If you're not sure that God exists, they combine the unsure and "surely not" into one lump. For these believers, an "atheist" is anyone who doesn't believe in God. | ||
Revision as of 13:42, May 19, 2007
Agnosticism is the belief that God's existence or lack of existence is unknowable.
The word "agnostic" was coined by T. H. Huxley[1] from the Greek roots a- not, and -gnostic, knowing; the philosopher Herbert Spencer was influential in spreading its use. One nineteenth-century saw held that "There is no god but the Unknowable, and Herbert Spencer is his prophet."[2]
Atheism and agnosticism
Some atheists bristle at the term atheist. They say they aren't atheists, because they don't "believe that God does not exist" but rather "neither believe nor disbelieve".
Agnostics differ from regular atheists in that they do not deny God's existence.
Many religious believers make no distinction among non-believers. If you're not sure that God exists, they combine the unsure and "surely not" into one lump. For these believers, an "atheist" is anyone who doesn't believe in God.
Among those who have not decided whether to believe in God, or to disbelieve in Him, there are two main groups:
- Those who simply haven't made a decision
- Those who declare no rational decision is possible, on the grounds that the existence of God is not knowable.
External links
- ↑ T. H. Huxley was also an early and influential supporter of Darwinism.
- ↑ London, Jack (1913), Martin Eden, Chapter 13