Agnostic Atheism

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reethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic o ragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism tempora gnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularit onreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticis ntireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheis gnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticis mpirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti lericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheis ontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believe rreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism stron gnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secula umanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secula umanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheis patheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticis gnosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanen gnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligiou nspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligio kepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theis pathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirica gnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalis ost-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheis gnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believe rreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism stron gnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secula umanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secula umanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheis patheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticis gnosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanen gnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligiou nspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligio kepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theis pathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirica gnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalis ost-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheis gnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believe rreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism stron gnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secula umanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secula Agnostic Atheism Agnostic Atheism By Eric Teske By Eric Teske

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skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic skeptical anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic atheism agnostic theism apathetic or pragmatic agnosticism ignosticism strong agnosticism weak agnosticism empirical agnosticism temporal agnosticism permanent agnosticism secular humanism secularity anti-clericalism post-theism secularity nonreligious unspiritual skepticism secular humanism atheism nontheism agnosticism ignosticism antireligion skepticism freethought antitheism apatheism non-believer irreligion agnostic skeptical

Agnostic AtheismAgnostic Atheism

By Eric TeskeBy Eric Teske

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Classification and Scope

Irreligion – an absence of, indifference towards, or hostility towards religion

AtheismNontheismAgnosticismIgnosticismAntireligionSkepticism

ApatheismFreethoughtAntitheismNon-believerSecular humanismTheological noncognitivism

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Philosophical Viewpoint

Theism and atheism are positions of belief (or lack thereof) regarding the existence of deities.

Gnosticism and agnosticism are positions of knowledge (or the lack thereof) regarding the Truth value of certain claims as knowable or unknowable.

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Differences in Affirmation

A negative atheist merely lacks a belief in gods. He is also called a weak atheist or an implicit atheist.

A positive atheist not only lacks a belief in gods, but also affirms that no gods exist. He is also called a strong atheist or an explicit atheist.

Source: http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=6487

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Differences in Knowledge

A gnostic atheist not only believes there are no gods, he also claims to know there are no gods.

An agnostic atheist doesn’t believe in gods, but doesn’t claim to know there are no gods.

Source: http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=6487

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Philosophical ViewpointAgnosticism describes the epistemological process leading to my atheist beliefs.

I am an agnostic atheist because the existence of a deity that is inherently faith-based is un-testable and therefore unknowable. Because it is unknowable or unknown, I do not assert that gods could not exist.

Humans can only experience the natural world, and the natural world can be explained by science. The defining feature of any deity must be supernatural, and therefore exists outside the observable reality.

“Agnosticism is not a creed but a method, the essence of which lies in the vigorous application of a single principle... do not pretend conclusions are certain that are not demonstrated or demonstrable.”

- Thomas Henry Huxley

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Philosophical Viewpoint

Skepticism • Asserts that true knowledge or certainty in a

particular area is impossible.• A method of obtaining knowledge through

systematic doubt and continual testing.• A method of intellectual caution and suspended

judgment.• Beliefs based on probabilities derived from empirical

evidence – no emotional preference.

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Dawkins’ FormulationLabel Probability that God

exists Summary statements

Strong theist 100% In the words of C.G. Jung, “I do not believe, I know.”

Theist Very high probability but short of 100%

I cannot know for certain, but I strongly believe in God and live my life on the assumption that he is there.

Agnostic Higher than 50% but not very high

Technically agnostic but leaning towards theism. “I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.”

Impartial agnostic Exactly 50% “God’s existence and non-existence are exactly

equiprobable.”

Agnostic Lower than 50% but not very low

Technically agnostic but leaning towards atheism. “I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.”

Atheist Very low probability but short of 0%

I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable, and I live my life on the assumption that he is not there.

Strong atheist 0% 'I know there is no God, with the same conviction as Jung "knows" there is one.'

Dawkins, Richard (2006). The God Delusion. Bantam Books. pp. p. 50. ISBN 0-618-68000-4.

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Myths and Misconceptions

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheists worship the devil.

In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Atheists don’t even acknowledge the devil’s existence – so they certainly don’t worship him.

Could atheists be doing the devil’s work without knowing it? It’s possible, but there is no empirical evidence supporting this.

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheists believe they will be reincarnated as a tree and join the life force of the Earth.

There are a lot of mystical assumptions here. It is unnecessary to assign the Earth any magical powers beyond the laws of physics. Our atoms will be recycled, but “reincarnation” implies the persistence of a soul – which hasn’t been demonstrated to exist.

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheists believe that life is meaningless.

On the contrary, because I don’t believe in an afterlife, the life I am living is very precious and important. All the more reason to live life to the fullest!

“Life is imbued with meaning by being really and fully lived.”

– Sam Harris

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myths: Atheists are closed-minded.

As a skeptic, I don’t get emotionally attached to an argument. If evidence contradicts my beliefs, then my beliefs are easily changed. Anything is possible, but not everything is equally probable.

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” – Carl Sagan

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheists are closed to spiritual experience.

There is nothing that prevents an atheist from experiencing love, ecstasy, rapture and awe. I get inspired by contemplating our place in the universe and the meaning of life just like anyone else.

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheists are arrogant.

When talking about science, there is an unspoken uncertainty in any result. Without this understanding, we come off sounding like dismissive authorities.

“[Based on my knowledge, understanding, and interpretation of the prevailing evidence, and with the general consensus of the scientific community, it seems reasonable to conclude that]… the Earth is round.”

These contentions are rarely put forth as absolute Truth, but can be considered reasonably certain.

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Atheism provides no basis for morality.

Morality is a social construction based on principles that are mutually beneficial to all humans working and living together. (Some of which have been demonstrated in social animals)

“Whatever is good in scripture — like the golden rule — can be valued for its ethical wisdom without our believing that it was handed down to us by the creator of the universe.” – Sam Harris

http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/10-myths-and-10-truths-about-atheism1/

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Questions?

FSM 2005 Bobby Henderson

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Additional Resources• Richard Dawkins’ viewpoints expressed neatly in a short interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=LxHsfbhCplI

• Russell's teapot (Reductio ad absurdum)

• The Skeptics Society (skeptic.com)

• American Atheists (atheists.org)

• The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible (and Koran) http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/