A large number of people have a misconception about what [u]agnostic[/u] really means. The dictionary tells us,
[i]a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.[/i]
Now, many assume that this means that people who label themselves as agnostic believe that there is a 50/50 chance of a god existing. This is not always the case. The scale varies widely. Agnostics can be theists who are having doubts, or atheists who believe there is a chance of a god existing.
For a better [url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=mkgYgJEH-e4]explanation, Richard Dawkins[/url] explains it simply.
Agnostic is a loose term that holds little value in a general statement about belief and spirituality. Dawkins realized this and created this scale.
[b]So offtopic, where are you on on this scale? [/b]
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Looking at just the roots, it means [quote]without knowledge[/quote]. Of course, it really means not having knowledge of what comes beyond.
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Semantics-driven arguments are so lame. Like this is why the stereotype for an atheist is what it is, because you dweebs feel the need to get so hung up on [i]definitions[/i]. These labels are so stupid, and the only purpose of them is to further separate yourself so you can be enclosed in a hugbox. Sure, I don't necessarily believe in God either, but I'm not going to preach about how I'm a level 7 atheist hard type with maxed out humanism points and middle of the road individuality points. You know what I believe in? I believe that I am God, so piss off with your shit.
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1. 0ur pasta Lord rules all of the universe
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Edited by car15: 6/5/2016 9:29:26 PMI'm a 2. Not a believer in organized religion, though. Just some sort of higher power.
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Edited by shell: 6/5/2016 9:44:03 PMI'm a 3. I am a deist and think God is useless, but there must be one, for we exist.
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The only definition we should be talking about is the definition of God. I'm not going to declare my belief or non-belief in something that is not clearly and specifically defined, which 'God' is not. 'God' is an assumption of a definition which may be different from person to person.
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[quote]What does agnostic really mean?[/quote] Who knows?
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So, whats the defintion for A person who believes in a higher power but doesn't have a set religion?
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It's just an over complicated way to scale a person on the angst level. Whoever is the most angsty internet overlord receives the praise from the others for their individuality.
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None of these because I don't care and never put thought into it. I'm just there with this subject.
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I would say I am a high 6. You can't prove the Celestial Teapot does not exist right?
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De facto theist
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I'm A strong theist. Raised as one, and honestly, it does make sense. Look at it like this: Let's say God either does or does not exist. If he does exist, and you believe so, good job. If he does but you don't believe so, get ready for punishment. If he doesn't exist but you believe he does, no harm no foul. If he doesn't exist and you believe he doesn't exist, nothing happens. So, looking at it unbiased, believing yields better results, with a good and neutral outcome, as apposition to not believing, which has a bad and neutral outcome. It just makes sense to believe. But hey, we all know an Aethiest's opinion is unbreakable, so i'm really just wasting my time here. Have a nice day. [i]*jumps out window*[/i]
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An atheist who is open to the possible existence of a deity or higher power.
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I guess I'm a weak theist then.
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Agnostics are the people who went to see Civil War an didn't pick a side.
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4. We can't prove that a God exists, but we can't exactly prove It doesn't exist either. That's what I think anyways.
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All the edgy kids saying 7. There's no way anyone could be a real 7 without being arrogant. You simply can't be 100% sure something unquantifiable doesn't exist.
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Edited by ThaddeusHamlet: 6/4/2016 10:01:06 PM[i] *puts on an atheist disposition* [/i] 6-7. Based on the information that I have I am certain that no god exists, but that could change with more information.
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I call myself agnostic and see it as "prove it to me or shut up"
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I'm mainly an atheist, but if someone can give me factual proof that is some divine being, I might believe. I highly doubt that if there is a god, it's like the one said in the bible.
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According to this picture, I'm a de facto theist.
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Personally, I hate when people just say "oh, I'm agnostic", in a religious conversation. It doesn't mean anything. You're a fence rider incapable of making a personal decision, so you just stay in the gray area where no one can challenge your beliefs. I called myself an agnostic when I was a teenager, and cared about the judgment of other people and my peers. Now I understand that it's a very complex concept and is difficult to think about sometimes. But using the blanket term 'agnostic' just boils down to you being afraid of making a decision, and trying to dissolve yourself from any and all scrutiny. It's more of a defense tactic than a belief system. And according to this picture, I am a de-facto atheist.