Agnostic theists

Mr Spinkles · Feb 9, 2005

It is perfectly possible for a person to be both agnostic and a theist (or, conversely, agnostic and an atheist). Agnosticism is not a statement of belief for/against/on the fence with the issue of God but rather a position on what can be known with absolute certainty.

What distinguishes an agnostic theist from other theists? My understanding is that while a theist might say "I know that God exists", the agnostic theist says "I do not know that God exists, but I believe God exists."

How many of the theists (or polytheists) on here at Religiousforums are agnostic?

Green Gaia · Feb 9, 2005

I cound probably fit into that catagory (although at times I've fanicied myself deist, pantheist and/or atheist, lol). Agnostic theist is probably right on the money. I don't know if there's a god, I have no proof of one, and quite frankly it doesn't matter to me. Whether there is a god or not generally does not determine how I live my life, but rather my humanistic side does (*wonders how many different terms I can use to describe my belief in one post*). However, I like to believe that something higher than us created us for some purpose. I don't hold the general theist view that we should be submissive and worship this entity, or are required to in order to be in good favor. My general thoughts on that are a much simpler plan, but I won't go into detail here.

Mr Spinkles · Feb 13, 2005

I'm surprised that more theists didn't respond to this thread. I would think a number of our members could be considered agnostic theists.

Yerda · Feb 16, 2005

Revealing themselves to you may destroy their secret conspiracy to overthrow RF and rename it Agnostic Theists Forums...Or there might not be any.

Mr Spinkles · Feb 17, 2005

Now you're just being silly....there must be a dozen on this forum, at least.

Unedited · Feb 17, 2005

I'm not sure if I would be or not. I have my beliefs, and I live by those beliefs, but I'm not at all certain they're right. I just know what feels right.

But then again, the term "theist" has caused me a few headaches over the last few weeks.

michel · Feb 17, 2005

Unedited said:
I'm not sure if I would be or not. I have my beliefs, and I live by those beliefs, but I'm not at all certain they're right. I just know what feels right.

But then again, the term "theist" has caused me a few headaches over the last few weeks.

Hi unedited;
you've confused me here; what do you mean?

non-duality · Feb 20, 2005

To me the agnostic faith is the deepest faith of all.

If we really want to know a man, we should trust alone on our own experience and not others report us about him. Same applies to God. If we believe we know already everything about God and if our knowing is founded on what others told us or what is been written down, we won't come to know God.

Faith is private, it is just a matter between one person and God. No one and nothing is in between. Out of this reason I appreciate Unedited’s: “I just know what feels right.” very much!

Greetings by Martin

Halcyon · Feb 28, 2005

To me the agnostic faith is the deepest faith of all.

If we really want to know a man, we should trust alone on our own experience and not others report us about him. Same applies to God. If we believe we know already everything about God and if our knowing is founded on what others told us or what is been written down, we won't come to know God.

Faith is private, it is just a matter between one person and God. No one and nothing is in between. Out of this reason I appreciate Unediteds: I just know what feels right. very much!

Exactly! I think i might fall into this catagory. I have my mythology, but do take it as absolute fact would hinder my Gnostic search for truth, as the truth might not agree with my beliefs.

linwood · Feb 28, 2005

"I do not know that God exists, but I believe God exists."

My wife has this belief and calls herself a deist.

Scuba Pete · Feb 28, 2005

So Spinks... are you an agnostic athiest???

groovydancer88 · Feb 28, 2005

Hmm. If we're saying that an agnostic theist is someone who believes in God, and a 'normal' theist is someone who knows God exists, how could anyone be anything but an agnostic theist? Nobody can know if God exists.

Or am I interpreting this incorrectly. Do you mean a 'normal' theist is someone who believes that they know God exists? If that's the case, that's just silly, but not impossible.

Yeah, I'm definitely an agnostic theist. I don't claim to know anything about God. I just have my speculations.

Mr Spinkles · Feb 28, 2005

NetDoc said:
So Spinks... are you an agnostic athiest???

Yes, and proud of it!

Jayhawker Soule · Feb 28, 2005

NetDoc said:
So Spinks... are you an agnostic athiest???

The very best kind!

amylong · Mar 29, 2005

My mom told me growing up that prayer is private and religion is private. We never really discussed it beyond that.

I think my relationship with God is between me and God.

I always thought that Agnostics were those who believed in something, but weren't sure exactly what that something out there was.

--Amy

linwood · Mar 30, 2005

I always thought that Agnostics were those who believed in something, but weren't sure exactly what that something out there was.

That would be a "Deist".
An agnostic is someone who doesn`t "know" or make any commitment of knowledge.

I truly don`t know what an agnostic atheist is.

Mr Spinkles · Mar 30, 2005

linwood said:
I truly don`t know what an agnostic atheist is.

Simple: an agnostic atheist is a person who admits the impossibility of knowing whether or not a Deity exists, but who nevertheless does not believe in its existence. Agnosticism deals with epistemology, while atheism deals with ontology.

I have little doubt that you would agree with me, linwood, that we cannot possibly *know* that there are no leprechauns....nevertheless, our complete absence of confidence in this possibility makes us aleprechaunists as well as agnostics.

I always thought that Agnostics were those who believed in something, but weren't sure exactly what that something out there was.

That would be a "Deist".

And, indeed, most theists as well. (Ever asked for a definition for 'God'?)

linwood · Mar 30, 2005

Agnosticism deals with epistemology, while atheism deals with ontology.

I see it differently.
To me atheism is a direct result of epistemology but doesn`t deal with ontology at all.

I have little doubt that you would agree with me, linwood, that we cannot possibly *know* that there are no leprechauns....nevertheless, our complete absence of confidence in this possibility makes us aleprechaunists as well as agnostics.

I see the point and know it`s valid but to me absence of evidence is evidence enough especially if one has reason to expect to find evidence but cannot.

And, indeed, most theists as well. (Ever asked for a definition for 'God'?)

Heh, I see your point.

Unedited · Mar 31, 2005

michel said:
Hi unedited;
you've confused me here; what do you mean?

I know I'm responding very late, but if you're still confused, I'll try to restate it.

I'm saying that I'll never really know for sure, not in this life at least, whether the things I believe are true. But also that there are questions I don't even have uncertain answers for; questions I've left unanswered. I'd like to have logical explanations for my beliefs, but I know I can't, so I listen to my heart instead.

I hope that helps if you're still wondering.

harold e. rice · Apr 6, 2005

Mr_Spinkles said:
I'm surprised that more theists didn't respond to this thread. I would think a number of our members could be considered agnostic theists.

I often refer to myself as an Agnostic-Christian simply because Im involved with churches as a Gospel Musician. It is all about the music and not the worship with me. I use to be a fundamental blind sheep by how I know the real truth about religion and its origins.

When I attend church services I usually sit and critique the entire service and the Ministers sermon. Im still seeking for proof of a divine being.

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