I'm an agnostic.  Why does everyone feel as though they need to debate (so I'll believe in god) me on this?
348271
First off, agnosticism and atheism are not mutually exclusive, for the former deals with knowledge and the latter deals with belief.  I am an agnostic atheist, for I claim no knowledge of the existence of any gods, and therefore I hold no belief in any.  You also seem to be an agnostic atheist.  Most people take the term "atheist" to mean "a person who knows there is no god and doesn't believe in one."  This is the other kind of atheist, a gnostic atheist.  Most atheists are of the former, agnostic variety.\n\nThe reason why theists want to debate you are surely many, though I have come to believe through my experience (which is similar to yours) that religious people feel like they are being presented with an opportunity to save someone's soul when I tell them I am an atheist.  You see, many religious people get some wacky ideas about atheists (and gays, for that matter) from their respective churches: that we have no morals, that we eat babies, that gays being allowed to marry will open the door for people to marry their pets (swear on my honor, I heard a pastor at an Austin church say that on TV one Sunday morning).\n\nThey are too used to letting men of the cloth do their thinking for them, and the men of the cloth tell them that their job is to witness to others.  Save those souls, for they know not what they do.  \n\nThe problem with this line of thinking, of course, is that we DO know why we think the way we do, specifically because the fairy tale doesn't make sense.  We pulled back the curtain to find that there is no wizard.  Most American atheists were once believers, and it has been claimed by many an atheist at The Atheist Network (website listed below) that the single greatest argument AGAINST Christianity is The Holy Bible.  There are enough inconsistencies, false prophecies, and flat out lies to get anyone who is serious about searching for truth and meaning to deconvert.  Unfortunately, most people are so weak-minded that they won't allow themselves to admit they may be wrong about their beliefs and so continue their lives under misguded delusions.
341558
Seems to me that you also believe something blindly and narrowly... that you are right. Isn't that the real problem? That most people have deeply felt beliefs and believe they are right, and have a hard time tolerating others with different views? Your opinion and decisions about religions, our origins, and so on are valid, but so are mine. You speak of religious people being narrow minded, and refer to people like yourself as broad-minded. But, isn't it narrow minded to label any one group of people? You are saying that you don't like having a religious person's views imposed on you. But, in the same breath, you impose your beliefs on us, and label "anyone believing" as unfulfilled, and unintelligent. How exactly does that make sense? Since the group you are speaking of (religious people) is a group I belong to, perhaps I should enlighten you by letting you know that I'm not imposing my beliefs on anyone. I'm am quite ready to talk to those who would listen or have questions, and I am quite ready to listen to others. Do I believe blindly and narrowly? Well, if I didn't believe 100% in my God, that would make me a hypocrite who is wasting my time. If that says to you that I am either blind or narrow, then so be it. But you might consider that our time on earth may be better spent discussing issues without judgment - oh, but wait, Jesus told us not to judge, so I guess that won't work, huh?
109314
As an atheist, I have tried to grasp how believers in a god can actually believe. Many religious people have deemed this annoying and respond with hostility because their faith comes under question. And contrary to what people above me have said, we DO have beliefs. Just different (which to some people means none at all). I believe in science and proven fact. I have discussed my beliefs, and come under attack, because if people of faith can understand where I stand, they can further help me understand where THEY stand.
506977
That is because i am stupid and i choose to believe even if you don't. \n\nI for one believe everyone is entitled to their opinions and believe systems, but your opinion should not give you the right to call me stupid or any other name. \n\nHave you ever considered you could be wrong? What would you do then? I sure would like to see the smile on your face on that day. Any how, i believe in God because i know he first loved me. I know He loved me because i have experienced and continue to experience the liberty and peace of heart and mind the work of His son on the cross of Calvary did for me. You could be wrong you know, think about it.
809831
I am very open to having logical, intelligent conversations, and even debates, with people that respect MY belief as well.\n\nI respect people's right to believe what they want, and have no problems with it until they begin condemning, name-calling, or just being outright rude (the whole sit down and shut up comment from my brother/sister would get a good butt-kicking...).\n\nIt is sad and disturbing that SOME Christians find it easier to just hate everyone who is different from themselves then to actually LEARN something new.  Ask questions, discuss thoughts...etc.  It's not hard, but I think that they are intolerant of difference.\n\nOn top of that, I feel that they fear challenges.  They may not be secure enough in their faith to understand others, as well as defend theirs when the going gets tough.  Again, this is not all Christians, just the ones who feel we are attacking them by our very existance.\n\nI think it will be a cold day in their hell before they ALL respect us COMPLETELY.  All we can do is continue smiling and be the better person.  We are strong enough in our non-beliefs to continue on with our lives without hating people for their choices.  They are the ones that, according to them, have to live with their choices in the "afterlife".
1067369
I can't answer that, but I know you seem to be right.  I try to keep my opinions to myself in public, because I know I cannot be pursuaded to another belief, so why argue?  "They," however, seem to like to get into disagreements and arguments, and I don't give in.  On here, however, I love commenting on some of the silly answers given!  Too bad it isn't like IM so we can discuss some of these things further...
34443
To everyone here - you can't argue with each other. You are arguing matters based on someone's faith - so there can be no logical outcome as viewed from both parties. To have religious faith means you 'just believe' despite what might be shown false - that's when these folks tend to raise the 'get real - how can that be so' attitude.\n\nStay in your realm and believe what you want to, but do not tell me and others that all of observed science is garbage. If you fell ill at ease when looking at science - perhaps you need to look inwards and ask what is making you feel uneasy?? If you feel that folks who believe in evolution are all going to hell for denying God - then why worry about them? I'm sure that they are not concerned about it.
1187065
an agnostic is someone who only questions faith, but does not really believe it themselve
1150922
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.
462850
Yes... I mean no....I mean, I don't know.  Questioning one's own belief system is essential to spiritual growth and evolution.  All the ones that answered "no" so quickly are the one's that, in my mind, need to get a reality check.  Don't be so sure!  Take a look around, there are more questions than answers and there are more opinions around the globe than we can count.  So, be okay to question your faith and the very existence of "god".  You may come back full circle, or you may not.  But at least you can say that you've looked outside the narrow little box that most people live in.\n\nI'm sure that if god exists and assuming that god gave you a logical mind to work with, god wouldn't mind if you questioned and explored those issues.  I haven't seen anybody struck down to a pillar of salt lately!  So free your mind, go exploring!
667326
It has always struck me as curious why those that claim no belief in God spend so much of there time trying to convince others they are right.\nIt would seem to me that if they are that enlightened they wouldn't want to waste time with those that believe.\nI personally think this is caused by a deep seated feeling that there is a God, all they need is someone to show them the way.\nBut then that's just my opinion.
1163226
I would agree that I'm not sure you can be both.\n\nMy understanding of Agnostic is one who is unconvinced on the existance of a higher being...which would leave it open to their possibly encountering something that convinces them. Basically they don't know one way or the other, so they choose to err on the side of caution and not put their faith in something intangible.\n\nWhile an Athiest is someone who is adamantly convinced there is no higher power.\n\nOne of my favorite lines from the tv show "Northern Exposure" is "I respect Athiests, I think it takes a lot of faith to not believe in God."\n\nI personally beleive in God, while not subscribing to any particular organized religion, and so far this is working out pretty well for me! :)\n\nTake care and God Bless you too! :)
341153
Personally, I'm atheist. \n\nI think everyone has right to their beliefs.\n\nI applaud you for being out there. Some people are just so strong about theirs that other people are seen as low or they are downgraded for expressing their belief.\n\nI hope that you can find some sort of peace, if it may be in Christ, Buddha, or no one.\n\nGood luck.\n\n=)
1092609
I'm with weemaryanne on this one.\nYour take on religion is pretty much the same as mine - and many others. And you are not alone in being the only agnostic in a religious family.\nI think it's healthy to question the world around you and not take everything at face value. If you find faith in your god again, you won't have lost anything by examining your faith.\nIf you decide god doesn't exist, you won't be a worse person. You'll be accepting the world as it realyy is. And that is really quite liberating.\nGood luck with your journey.
586468
I'm not Atheist I'm an Agnostic but I am guilty of that stuff.
736572
Agnosticism is a philosophy about knowledge. An agnostic says that the question of the existence of a god is unknown and unknowable. \n\nAn atheist does not believe in a god or gods. They do not have to say, "There is no possible way that there's a god," they simply have to not believe there is.\n\nThey can lack a belief in a god or gods as well. Babies, for instance, have no belief until they are taught to believe. \n\nI am an agnostic atheist. I say, "that the question of the existence of a god is unknown and unknowable," but I also say, "Even so, I have no belief in a god or gods," reason being that just because you can't know whether something exists doesn't mean you have to believe in it. \n\nPossibility of existence does not = likelihood of existence.\n\nThere are people that call themselves agnostic, and that is their right. It is not for me to say what they are or how they think. But in my own journey, I find that you either believe or you don't. If you believe, you are a theist/deist/etc. If you do not believe, you are an atheist. You can be either and be agnostic too.
1043681
Maybe its not about YOU.  Maybe its about God.  If it is, then why would he need to prove anything to you or anyone else, he wouldn't.    FYI, if you didn't create this world or the people of it, than you aren't the person who should be demanding things.  You should be thankful for an existence  \n\nHowever I totally understand your desire to ask why, but keep in mind it might not be about you.  With that said smile they are free.