Monday, July 21, 2008

Agnosticism

This is from my Myspace blog I thought I would share it here aswell .

Agnosticism (from the Greek a, meaning "without" and gnosis, "knowledge", translating to unknowable) is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims—particularly theological claims regarding metaphysics, afterlife or the existence of God, god(s), or deities—is unknown or (possibly) inherently unknowable.

Agnostics claim either that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge. Agnosticism in both cases involves some form of skepticism.

Demographic research services normally list agnostics alongside categories such as atheist and non-religious, although this is misleading, since religious people can be agnostic (indicating a lack of absolute certainty, therefore treating their religion as a faith).

"Agnostic" was introduced by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869 to describe his philosophy. The term agnostic is also used to describe those who do not absolutely commit themselves about the existence of deities as well as about other matters of religion.

Early Christian church leaders used the Greek word gnosis (knowledge) to describe "spiritual knowledge". Agnosticism is not to be confused with religious views opposing the doctrine of gnosis and Gnosticism— these are religious concepts that are not generally related to agnosticism.

Is there a supernatural power—an arbitrary mind—an enthroned God—a supreme will that sways the tides and currents of the world—to which all causes bow? I do not deny. I do not know—but I do not believe. I believe that the natural is supreme—that from the infinite chain no link can be lost or broken—that there is no supernatural power that can answer prayer—no power that worship can persuade or change—no power that cares for man.

I believe that with infinite arms Nature embraces the all—that there is no interference—no chance—that behind every event are the necessary and countless causes, and that beyond every event will be and must be the necessary and countless effects.

Is there a God? I do not know. Is man immortal? I do not know. One thing I do know, and that is, that neither hope, nor fear, belief, nor denial, can change the fact. It is as it is, and it will be as it must be.

We can be as honest as we are ignorant. If we are, when asked what is beyond the horizon of the known, we must say that we do not know.

I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one can prove that there is not a God or otherwise that there is a God.

An agnostic thinks it impossible to know the truth in matters such as God and the future life with which Christianity and other religions are concerned. Or, if not impossible, at least impossible at the present time.


I have been agnostic since I was 13 at first I was very confused ... I grew up in a pentacostal household . I attended church sometimes 7 days a week . When my Grandmother died I was very hurt and my heart was broken, I prayed for God to heal my broken heart . For a year I prayed and nothing changed at first I was angry and then I began to question everything I had been taught . Had I ever felt God's presence in my life ? The answer was no . I found within myself a power to heal myself . I no longer need to believe in a higher power to heal myself or bring myself peace . I do not need to be reassured by a higher power . I believe in the power I myself and others have to make things happen in our lives and our world . I cannot say that there is no God because I simply do not know . So I am agnostic someday perhaps I will change my mind but for now I am happy with my beliefs .

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