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Agnosticism is the philosophical view that the (truth) values of certain claims—particularly theological claims regarding the existence of God, gods, or deities—are unknown, inherently unknowable, or incoherent, and therefore, (some agnostics may go as far to say) irrelevant to life. The term and the related agnostic were coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869, and are also used to describe those who are unconvinced or noncommittal about the existence of deities as well as other matters of religion. The word agnostic comes from the Greek a (without) and gnosis (knowledge). Agnosticism is not to be confused with a view specifically opposing the doctrine of gnosis and Gnosticism—these are religious concepts that are not generally related to agnosticism.
Agnosticism is distinct from, but compatible with, atheism. It is also compatible with theism. This is because agnosticism is a view about knowledge concerning God, whereas theism and atheism are beliefs (or lack thereof) concerning God. For example, it is possible to believe in God but to believe that knowledge about God is not obtainable.
Agnostics may claim that it is not possible to have absolute or certain spiritual knowledge or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no such knowledge. Agnosticism in both cases involves some form of skepticism towards religious statements. Some claim that there is nothing distinctive in being an agnostic because even theists do not claim to know God exists, only to believe it, and many even agree there is room for doubt; and atheists in the broader sense do not claim to know there is no God, only not to believe in one.
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About Agnosticism - Dennis Halnon provides an explanation of what agnosticism is, what it means, and what it implies.
Meta Description: [ An explanation of what agnosticism is, what it means, and what it implies. ]
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Ad Infinitum - Quotations on time, morality and life from a predominantly agnostic perspective.
Meta Description: [ Quotations on time, morality and life from a predominantly agnostic perspective. ]
Agnostic Review of Christianity - An examination of Christianity from an Agnostic perspective. Topics reviewed include Bible issues, the nature of God, and various Christian claims and apologetics.
Meta Description: [ An Agnostic look at the many claims of Christianity. The
ultimatum of fundamentalist Christianity is that anyone who doesn't reach
the conclusion that the Bible God set up the universe is doomed to eternal
punishment. Anyone who fails to accept this teaching will end up in a
place called he... ]
Agnosticism (1889) - This is the full text of Thomas Huxley's essay explaining and defending Agnosticism.
Agnosticism / Atheism Discussion Forum - Discussion board on atheism, agnosticism and related issues.
Agnosticism 101 - Definition and history of the concept of agnosticism, comparisons with atheism, and examination of its origins.
Meta Description: [ Agnosticism: what is it, what isn't it? How did Huxley originally define agnosticism? What did Spencer say the definition of agnosticism is? What is the difference between agnosticism and atheism? ]
Agnosticism and Christianity (1889) - The full text of Huxley's essay comparing the two systems of belief.
Agnosticism Defined - Brief description of Agnosticism from the Victorian Web by Everett Landow.
Agnosticism: Being Uncertain About the Existence of God - Agnostic references and resources, brief biographies of famous agnostics, quotations.
Meta Description: [ Agnostics: Doubting the existence of God ]
And Man Created God - A book by George Carl Mynchenberg, presents the Agnostic view point using science, history and logic while denying all religious belief and faith in revelations from a Creator or God. Brief author biography, a review, link to e-mail the author, the table of contents, and affiliate links to buy the book.
Apathetic Agnostic Church of Mississippi - The Mississippi Synod of the Apathetic Agnostic Church, with several classic essays on agnosticism and links.
Church of the Apathetic Agnostic - Extensive site expressing agnosticism as a legitimate religious doctrine. Membership and ordination offered. Many essays regularly updated.
Meta Description: [ An online agnostic community. ]
Confessions of a Christian Agnostic - Rich Mayfield's online book of days: a reading for each day of the year.
Creation vs. Evolution - Articles on various creationist theories and arguments, the value of genuine scientific inquiry, and a personal journey from fundamentalist to agnostic by Edward T Babinski.
Meta Description: [ Collective articles on Creation Science, Creation vs. Evolution, Intelligent Design, the value of genuine scientific inquiry and critiquing various Creationist hypothesis/theories, written by Edward T. Babinski. ]
Definitions of Agnosticism - Definitions of agnosticism, weak agnosticism and strong agnosticism.
Evangelical Agnosticism - This article by William Henry Young provides some history about agnosticism since 1869 and suggests reasons for the introduction of the term evangelical agnosticism.
Meta Description: [ This article will provide some history about agnosticism since1869 and will suggest the reasons for the introduction of the term evangelical agnosticism. ]
Evolutionary Metaphysics: Shattering the Sacred Myths - Extends the theory of evolution to include the struggle for political power and the development of advanced technology, and contemplates the existence of the universe and questions whether consciousness has any kind of cosmic purpose.
Meta Description: [ To dispel the myths and superstitions that have long been used as an excuse for political and religious extremism ]
Exchristian.Net - Extensive site with many articles and testimonies, open discussion forums and links.
Meta Description: [ De-converted, apostate and ex-christian from all Reformed, Calvinist, Arminian, Catholic, Protestant and Baptist Christian doctrine. Also included are apologetics pages encouraging those falling away from religion. ]
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Fishism - Fishism is based on humankind being unable to find the answer to the “one big question”.
Meta Description: [ Philosophy Religion Theory Superstition FISHISM ]
Mario Di Maggio - Religious Heretic - Views on religion and pseudoscience from an astronomer.
Rational Weltanschauung - A rational weltanschauung is based on only on rational thinking. A logical combination of a basic unproven assumption with scientific facts, philosophical elements and own experience leads to an individual rational weltanschauung.
Reasoned Spirituality - An analysis of spirituality, human behaviour, and the quest for the meaning of life.
Meta Description: [ a philosophical exploration of spirituality, human behaviour, and the quest for the meaning of life; based on logic rather than blind faith ]
Secular Philosophies - Beliefnet.com - Message boards, links, and information dealing with agnosticism, atheism, and humanism.
Meta Description: [ Secular Philosophies Homepage ]
The Atheism Web - A shared resource for Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers on the Web.
The Atheism Web: Huxley on agnosticism - Thomas Huxley describes how he came to originate the term 'agnostic'.
The Church of Civilization - A Church for Sceptics, Agnostics and Atheists with Bible, Creed, Calendar, and Affirmations (ceremonies.)
Meta Description: [ Domain names, web hosting, domain name registration, redirects and email addresses for free. ]
The Freethinkers of Colorado Springs - A freethought site from Colorado Springs, CO with news, articles, commentary, and a bulletin board.
Meta Description: [ Freethought offers a sensible alternative to the dogmatic claims of religions and new age teachings and promotes a better understanding of our human condition by advancing the use of reason and defending the separation of church and state. ]
The Origin of the Word 'Agnosticism' - An article by Bill Young providing the origin of the word Agnostic.
Meta Description: [ Origin of the Word Agnostic ]
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The Realities of Religions Skeptically Examined - A 12 page essay on religious skepticism by Bryce Chambers, and links. (Link to essay may not appear in some browser configurations.)
The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Guide for the New Millennium - over 400 skeptical definitions and essays on occult, paranormal,supernatural and pseudoscientific ideas and practices with references to the best skeptical literature
Meta Description: [ critical thinking ]
The Truth Tree - A cyber-community debating political, religious, and sexual issues from a rational scientific perspective.
Meta Description: [ A cyber-community debating political religious and sexual issues from a rational scientific perspective.
Tutorials on grammar, spelling, the English language, and science. Over forty math and logic puzzles. ]
Thomas Henry Huxley - Brief biography of Thomas Henry Huxley, inventor of the term agnosticism
To Question is the Answer - Essays by James A Haught, an old newspaper editor on agnosticism, books, and other issues.
Weak Agnosticism - Graham Oppy defends weak agnosticism, the view that it is permissible for reasonable persons to suspend judgement on the question of God's existence.
What Is Agnosticism? - A history of the development of agnostic thought written by HJ Blackham.
What Is An Agnostic? - Bertrand Russell on Agnosticism
Why I Am Agnostic - Robert G. Ingersoll's 1896 explanation.
Zelazny's Agnostic's Prayer - Agnostic's Prayer from Zelazny's Creatures of Light Darkness.
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