An agnostic is somebody who is unsure of the existence of a God, while an atheist is somebody who is firmly against the belief of a God. However, when it comes to spiritual matters, there are always going to be a few people who are “on the fence” about exactly what they believe. The difference is that today, people are more willing to admit that they don’t know it all.
That being said, what exactly is agnostic atheism? An agnostic atheist is a person who identifies strongly with atheism and is convinced that a God(s) probably does not exist. However, the agnostic atheist also isn’t completely convinced against the existence of God. In fact, if you were to present them with considerable evidence proving the existence of God, then they would be willing to listen and might even change their beliefs.
In simpler terms, an agnostic atheist is just an atheist who admits that they don’t know everything. Many agnostic atheists tend to be individuals who were raised around religion or have some familiarity with organized religion (which may have caused their disbelief in the first place). In today’s article, I’m going to provide you with an in-depth breakdown of agnostic atheism and how it differs from other forms of agnosticism and atheism.
Everything You Need To Know About Agnostic Atheism
If you were to ask a hardcore atheist what they believe about God, the afterlife, or the existence of an eternal human soul, they would almost certainly call it all “rubbish.” They would then go on a tangent about God was an idea propagated by the modern Church and organized religion to control societies and make them more obedient to the governing organization.
Atheists tend to be pretty firm on their stance in these matters, and they’re not usually open to alternative interpretations. Some atheists are outspoken; others tend to be quieter and reserved. Ultimately, it all depends on the individual.
However, plenty of people are open to an alternative viewpoint about God(s). The atheists who are willing to listen to religious views or consider that God’s existence might be a possibility are your agnostic atheists.
Agnostic atheists may still attend religious ceremonies or services from time to time, and they tend to not be quite as outspoken on their beliefs as other atheists or members of the Atheism Plus movement.
Now that you have a clearer idea of exactly what an agnostic atheist is let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding agnostics and atheists.
What Do Atheists Believe?
Atheists are individuals who do not subscribe to traditional ideas about God(s) and religion. They don’t believe that a God exists and tend to be strongly against the idea of conforming to an organized religion such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, or other religions. They typically tend to have an attitude of disregard for religion and view it as a type of control mechanism used to control the masses.
Atheists also don’t believe in an eternal soul. Traditionally, they believe that our life here on this planet is all there is. When you die, that’s the end. There’s no heaven, hell, reincarnation, or any other form of afterlife. Essentially, they believe that humans are just animals (albeit with evolved self-awareness).
What Do Agnostics Believe?
Agnostics, like atheists, share a similar disbelief in the idea of God or other dieties. However, agnosticds differ from atheists in one key area- they’re not entirely sure. Most agnostics will tell you that although they don’t necessarily believe in God, that they would be willing to believe in God if they had enough hard evidence or a personal experience that changed their minds.
Another interesting difference is that agnostics tend to be more open-minded about religion. Many agnostics will attend a church or mass service, a synagogue, mosque, or visit a temple. While they may not necessarily believe in the divinity behind these “holy” locations, they may appreciate the cultural and historic value behidn these institutions and understand that everybody is entitled to their own belief or ideas of God and spirituality.
The Difference Between Agnostic Atheists And Agnostic Christians
When you meet a self-titled agnostic, the chances are that they’re likely an agnostic atheist or an agnostic Chrisitan. The difference between the two groups of people is very small but it does exist. The main difference lies in their overall opinion of God and the Christian religion.
As we’ve discussed, the agnostic atheist is strongly against the idea of God and tends to view the Christian religion as a type of scourge on the world. They regularly point out the damage that Christianity (and other religions) have done to the world, including the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, European colonialism, and the idea of “Manifest Destiny.”
The agnostic Christian, on the other hand, tends to be a lot more religious. They might attend a church regularly or go to a catholic mass. They may be baptised, participate in religious ceremonies, and be an active member of the church. However, when it comes to their personal beliefs and idealogy, they remain unsure about the existence of God and the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Agnostic Chrisitans are often referred to as “nominal Christians” by the church, meaning that they call themselves Christians but lack true faith. However, the Unitarian Church is a subsect of Christianity that contains many atheists, humanists, and agnostics. Unitarians preach a message of one God (as opposed to the traditional Father-Son-Holy Ghost “Trinity”). Many of the attendees tend to follow Christian morality but don’t prescribe to rigid beliefs or views of God.
Agnostic Atheism And Humanism
Many agnostic atheists would be better defined as humanists. Humanism is a school of thought that teaches that humanity and our life on earth is more important than spending time on the idea of a deity or pondering religious matters. Most humanists tend to be agnostic, and believe that even if God does exist, their greater responsibility is to their fellow mankind before it is to God.