Desert Snake
Veteran Member
What are your thoughts on the term agnostic, is it problematic, does it imply wishy-washiness?
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It is a fair term, and fulfills a necessary role.
It is also greatly abused IMO. I have a distinct feeling that it is used often when "atheist" would be a better, more accurate and more honest choice, solely because there is still such reluctance to accept atheism.
Agnosticism is fine. I would not quite say that it is to be expected of all honest people, but I sure feel tempted to.
However, I don't know whether it is even possible for one to be "purely" agnostic. In practice, all or most agnostics are also either theists or (more often) atheists.
When I hear someone declare himself or herself an agnostic, I can't help but feel that it is in fact atheism what is meant. Not a big deal, but that is how I feel.
"Agnostic" is useful. I am one. It's a subset of atheism.
I'm fairly certain that agnostic theists exist.
It is a fair term, and fulfills a necessary role.
It is also greatly abused IMO. I have a distinct feeling that it is used often when "atheist" would be a better, more accurate and more honest choice, solely because there is still such reluctance to accept atheism.
What are your thoughts on the term agnostic, is it problematic, does it imply wishy-washiness?
I don't think agnosticism necessarily implies atheism at all.
I don't know is a stance. I don't know doesn't necessarily necessitate disbelief.
"Agnostic" is useful. I am one. It's a subset of atheism.
In their minds they aren't Atheists since they don't exclude the possibility of gods existing. It's confusion or ignorance on their part rather than a matter of honesty if you follow?
That said, I live in the UK where for the most part Atheism is pretty well accepted. I don't know a great deal about Brazil, but I would assume this isn't the case there?
It isn't indeed.