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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talking to my family about my agnosticism is awkward.
kjlol (katie jordan) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:23:53 -0000
talking to my family about my agnosticism is awkward.
RT ralat: agnosticism..the follower r called agnostic.. @gabybonny: I decided to become an atheist. & bonny accepted it. Thx love ☺
TurnOnSilent (oto) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:36:16 -0000
RT ralat: agnosticism..the follower r called agnostic.. @gabybonny: I decided to become an atheist. & bonny accepted it. Thx love ☺
@chrisjar I do think that there is a strong current of atheism and agnosticism underway, and bus ads would underscore that.
heidiraff (Heidi Rafferty) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:37:10 -0000
@chrisjar I do think that there is a strong current of atheism and agnosticism underway, and bus ads would underscore that.
@chrisjar Well, I think agnosticism is seen as uncertainty. Atheism, as clear unbelief. As for how each is viewed ... part 1 ...
heidiraff (Heidi Rafferty) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:29:45 -0000
@chrisjar Well, I think agnosticism is seen as uncertainty. Atheism, as clear unbelief. As for how each is viewed ... part 1 ...
@heidiraff Interesting data, I wonder how many of the unsure are agnostic: out of interest is agnosticism particularly acceptable in the US?
chrisjar (Christian Ridley) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:24:33 -0000
@heidiraff Interesting data, I wonder how many of the unsure are agnostic: out of interest is agnosticism particularly acceptable in the US?
agnosticism、atheism。英語での理解と日本語での理解、ごちゃ混ぜになってたのかな。
cy_Skully (Yoko Saga) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:05:29 -0000
agnosticism、atheism。英語での理解と日本語での理解、ごちゃ混ぜになってたのかな。

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