Agnosticism is the belief that the answers concerning theological questions are ultimately unknowable. As with atheism, agnosticism generally comes in two different flavors: strong agnosticism and weak agnosticism. Strong agnosticism, which can be likened to weak atheism in some respects, posits that there is no way to know whether God exists. Weak agnosticism asserts that the existence or nonexistence of God is unknown but is not necessarily unknowable.
I believe that agnosticism does have its merits. We are all agnostic at some level....at least people who are honest with themselves. I know that there are both theists and atheists out there that would make claims to the contrary; but I would counter with the argument that since they are still alive, how could they know with 100% certainty? They may believe that have this knowledge but believing and knowing are two different things. This also applies to the very nature of God as well. God may very well exist but his / her nature could be a lot different than what people think it is. The point is that at some basic levels, we are all at least in some way agnostic. However that being said, just because you cannot know with 100% certainty may not have any impact on what you believe.
However, agnosticism is not without its own set of faults in my opinion. I tend to think of it as an easy way out. You don't know the answer...assume you can never know, so why even waste the effort. I also believe a person's personality also shapes what type of agnostic they are. Some agnostics simply are not interested in the question and are pretty apathetic to the whole issue. Others claim to not have any certain answers but are actively searching for answers to these questions. Still others are not certain and think that anyone who searches is wasting their time.The problem for me comes down to what if you are wrong and there is potential to obtain certain knowledge that seems unobtainable. There are plenty of people in the world that have claimed to found the answers to life's ultimate questions. Some find this answer through science, some through God, some others through some spiritual meditation new age practice. Whatever their method or preference, there seems to be a potential to learn more than is perceived. It may take work and the search will probably not bear fruit in the short term, but what if you discover something about the world and yourself throughout the journey. Isn't that worth the effort?
As usual, there are two different possible outcomes as with anything concerning these matters. If the atheists are correct then nothing is lost. Simply going through life, not concerning yourself with these matters is probably the best thing to do. At least you aren't as angry as some of the theists and atheists. But (and this is a big one) what if the theists are correct? You have now squandered nourishing the very thing that matters. This could have a wide variety of consequences depending on whom (if anyone) has the proper theological perspective.
3 comments:
Interesting thoughts, particularly the end and the "what if" scenarios. I guess I tend to bounce somewhere between weak and strong agnosticism, but I can't really say I'm a practicing agnostic. Not that there's really anything to practice! I can't say I'm really a practicing anything.
Maybe I'm one of the ones guilty of the easy way out. I just don't think about it all that often so it's easier to say I just don't know. I still pray now and then to whatever higher power is out there, because I was raised to do so, but I just don't KNOW that anything/anyone is listening? So I've typed myself in a circle. I guess I am agnostic on that level.
Recently I've been more focused on the personal path, just becoming a better person and living a healthier life- and trying not to hurt others along the way. I make mistakes. I screw up. We all do. But I don't want to. I'm not saying I want to be perfect- hardly- but I would like to be righteous. Moral. Good. Churches are a good place to learn these things, but they are also places where political views can be thrown into sermons. As a child learning morality in Christian churches worked out just fine, but now that I'm older and wiser and more aware of the world, more things are apparent to me about these religious institutions that I simply don't like. That I'm not comfortable with.
And so I walk my own path, now and then stopping and exploring ways I can become a better person. On my own. Independent of a religious organization. But if I truly expect to be ultimately righteous, now and then isn't good enough.
I better stop now or I'm going to need to start my own blog on this subject. :D
“However, agnosticism is not without its own set of faults in my opinion. I tend to think of it as an easy way out. You don't know the answer...assume you can never know, so why even waste the effort.”
I believe I am an odd agnostic. Odd because, like you said in sentence 2 above, I don’t know and I assume believe humans can never know (though I believe something made us, some intelligent being, or God if you want to call it that); however, I believe religion is good and feel quite strongly about its place in the 1st Amendment. To see the joy and pleasure people get from their religious practices makes it worth it, to me. Even though I don’t see things the way they do, it is a good thing that they do what they do and should continue to do it.
“Some agnostics simply are not interested in the question and are pretty apathetic to the whole issue. Others claim to not have any certain answers but are actively searching for answers to these questions. Still others are not certain and think that anyone who searches is wasting their time.”
I fall into none of these categories. I’d be more like: Others find it an interesting, but fruitless search, even though they think those that wish to pursue their religion and practice it should do so (unless it means murdering or protesting funerals…).
“But (and this is a big one) what if the theists are correct?”
That’s just the belief that agnostics have: there is no way that we can comprehend our creator, therefore, they cannot be correct.
The Christian religion I was raised in allows no room for an inkling of doubt. You said at one point of your blog that you can believe but not know with 100% certainty. Ask any Baptist minister or really “good” Baptist, like my parents, if they know with 100% certainty and they will MAKE you believe that they “know that they know that they know.” Not believe that they believe.
At the end of the day, I have to be agnostic, just what I believe. The shitty part of it is: I really wish I weren’t.
Jules
I'm pretty much with you on this one. I am a believer, but I would never claim to be certain. I believe that reason indicates it is most likely that God exists, and I have to go from there. So I commit myself to believing and living out that belief, and my confidence grows with my experience (but I still don't claim certainty).
I think it's a bit like a long term relationship (well, I guess it is a long term relationship!) - I've been married for 41 years and at the start I didn't really know myself all that well, let alone my wife. But we made that commitment, it has all worked out well, and know we know each other so much better.
I think an honest agnostic should pray (if there's no-one there, who cares?) and ask God to show him/herself. It just might do the trick!
Thanks for your thoughts.
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