Some people colorfully refer to Agnostics as "Chickens*t Atheists", but I don't think this is a fair description.

Basically, Believers have faith that God (or Allah or Yahweh) exists, and Atheists have faith that God doesn't exist, although neither side has anything beyond circumstantial evidence (which is open to interpretation) to back up their passionate assertions.

Agnostics, on the other hand, have not gathered enough evidence to decide one way or the other. Agnostics are just not sure yet.

Personally, I think Atheists are too bold; These people who scoff at the "quaint" religious beliefs of others are absolutely certain that the near-infinite universe manifested itself out of nothing without any assistance, and they see nothing mystical about it. It seems ironic to me.

An Agnostic could think that there probably is some form of "God" while remaining unsure of the deity's specific qualities, or they could suspect the absence of God while remaining open to the possibility of God's existence; An Agnostic might also not have ruled out Polytheism, or might regard God as an impersonal force that possibly exists.

I have empathy for uncertain viewpoint; If there is only one true religion that gets you to the good place (Heaven), and all the other "false" religions will send you to the bad place (Hell), you definitely want to make the right choice. How can you be sure?

I guess I consider myself an Agnostic with Deistic tendencies. I was raised up as a good Christian, but I've had a lot of issues with faith over the years. I just have a hard time trusting that my family's chosen contact to the Creator is the correct path, not to mention my inability to accept the idea of a man raising the dead or turning water into wine.

Honestly, the supernatural, magical reputation of this one revered individual reminds me of the lost childhood myth of Santa Claus, an ancient betrayal that I have yet to fully recover from.

Initially, my religious skepticism surfaced in the form of a very crass Atheistic stance, but that has softened over time into my own humble form of Deism; I just don't need to believe in miracles to agree with the humanist teachings of Jesus Christ, not to mention the many other religious figures who have also worked to make the Earth a more kind and loving place.

I would want to follow Jesus' example of Brotherly Love whether he walked on water or not; I'm just not sure if his biography is accurate, and I don't even know if it matters anyway.

Learn more about this author, Billy Sunshine.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The difference between atheism and agnosticism?
We want to hear your view. Write now!