Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Definitions of Atheism, Agnosticism, and Theism

RCAlyra2004 · 04-21-2005, 06:41 PM

I have searched and found a lot of talk about what people beleive but this thread is meant to be a little different.

I would like to propose three definitions for three terms often discussed in this forum. Please debate freely on the definitions I offer up here, but remember this thread is NOT about whether or not you beleive or don;t beleive or doubt etc. It's about the definitions we use.. and defining them clearly. I hope that it will help make some of these threads a little clearer.

1.Atheism is the state either of being without theistic beliefs, or of actively disbelieving in the existence of deities. Atheism is not necessarily an entrenched position against a deity, but it can be. Atheism is often described as "not seing any evidence for" any deities.

2. Agnosticism is the philosophical and theological view that spiritual truths, such as the existence of God, gods or deities, is either unknown or inherently unknowable. Like atheism it is not necessarily an entrenched position against a deity, but it can be. (eg. the statement "We can never know for sure") Agnosticism is often described as being in a position of logically refusing to accept evidence, perceived or real. It is also described as "just not knowing for sure".

3.Theism is the belief in one or more gods or goddesses. More specifically, it may also mean the belief in God, a god, or gods, who is/are actively involved in maintaining the Universe. This is most often an entrenched position where the beleiver in the deity(s) states why they beleive, including the perceived or real evidence that the diety(s) exist and interact with the universe.

So there the definitions are... lets have at it. I'd love to hear your opinion.

04-21-2005, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
RCAlyra2004 Crazy Location: North of the 50th Parallel	Definitions of Atheism, Agnosticism, and Theism I have searched and found a lot of talk about what people beleive but this thread is meant to be a little different. I would like to propose three definitions for three terms often discussed in this forum. Please debate freely on the definitions I offer up here, but remember this thread is NOT about whether or not you beleive or don;t beleive or doubt etc. It's about the definitions we use.. and defining them clearly. I hope that it will help make some of these threads a little clearer. 1.Atheism is the state either of being without theistic beliefs, or of actively disbelieving in the existence of deities. Atheism is not necessarily an entrenched position against a deity, but it can be. Atheism is often described as "not seing any evidence for" any deities. 2. Agnosticism is the philosophical and theological view that spiritual truths, such as the existence of God, gods or deities, is either unknown or inherently unknowable. Like atheism it is not necessarily an entrenched position against a deity, but it can be. (eg. the statement "We can never know for sure") Agnosticism is often described as being in a position of logically refusing to accept evidence, perceived or real. It is also described as "just not knowing for sure". 3.Theism is the belief in one or more gods or goddesses. More specifically, it may also mean the belief in God, a god, or gods, who is/are actively involved in maintaining the Universe. This is most often an entrenched position where the beleiver in the deity(s) states why they beleive, including the perceived or real evidence that the diety(s) exist and interact with the universe. So there the definitions are... lets have at it. I'd love to hear your opinion. __________________ Living on the edge of sanity Last edited by RCAlyra2004; 04-21-2005 at 06:44 PM..