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Huxley's agnosticism seems nevertheless to go with an extreme empiricism, nearer to Mill's methods of induction than to recent discussions of the hypothetico-deductive and partly holistic aspect of testing of theories. Though we might not be able to prove the existence of God might we be able to disprove it? Many philosophers hold that the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient and good God is empirically refuted by the existence of evil and suffering, and so would be happy to be called atheists rather than agnostics.Of course the existence of a non-benevolent creator God would not be so refutable and atheism would have to depend on arguments other than that of the mere existence of evil. More commonly the theist will continue to include benevolence in the concept of God and attempt to deal with the problem of evil with the help of various auxiliary or even ad hoc hypotheses or considerations, much as a scientist may attempt, often successfully, to shore up against empirical refutation a previously well tested theory. Bayesian considerations may determine rationally, though roughly, the appropriate degree of belief or unbelief.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/ Atheism and Agnosticism], Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</ref>}}

Huxley's agnosticism seems nevertheless to go with an extreme empiricism, nearer to Mill's methods of induction than to recent discussions of the hypothetico-deductive and partly holistic aspect of testing of theories. Though we might not be able to prove the existence of God might we be able to disprove it? Many philosophers hold that the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient and good God is empirically refuted by the existence of evil and suffering, and so would be happy to be called atheists rather than agnostics.Of course the existence of a non-benevolent creator God would not be so refutable and atheism would have to depend on arguments other than that of the mere existence of evil. More commonly the theist will continue to include benevolence in the concept of God and attempt to deal with the problem of evil with the help of various auxiliary or even ad hoc hypotheses or considerations, much as a scientist may attempt, often successfully, to shore up against empirical refutation a previously well tested theory. Bayesian considerations may determine rationally, though roughly, the appropriate degree of belief or unbelief.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/ Atheism and Agnosticism], Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</ref>}}

== 20th century rise of agnosticism. Projected 21st century decline of agnosticism ==

== 20th century rise of agnosticism ==

 

=== 20th century rise of agnosticism ===

In 1900, about .18% of the world's population were agnostics. By 1970, about 14.7% of the world's population were agnostics.<ref>[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Christianity, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050 ]</ref>  

In 1900, about .18% of the world's population were agnostics. By 1970, about 14.7% of the world's population were agnostics.<ref>[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Christianity, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050 ]</ref>  

=== Expected 21st century decline of agnosticism ===

== Projected 21st century decline of agnosticism ==

[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|165px|[[Secular Europe]] has one of the highest rates of [[agnosticism]] rates in the world.  

[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|165px|[[Secular Europe]] has one of the highest rates of [[agnosticism]] rates in the world.  

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