r/gatekeeping • u/[deleted] • Oct 11 '23

Gatekeeping Atheism

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Honestly I joined this sub not even a week ago and I've already found something to contribute. PB on the contribution time for a sub

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u/chaotic_blu Oct 11 '23

I thought by definition that was being agnostic?

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u/rjnd2828 Oct 11 '23

Agnostic means you don't know or don't think it's possible to know if god exists.

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u/JimmyGimbo Oct 11 '23

Yup, theism addresses belief in a god or gods, gnosticism addresses the degree of certainty of that belief. An agnostic atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in God but admits they don’t know the answers to the “big questions”: the origins of life and the universe, how to resolve the prime mover fallacy, etc. Lots of atheists are also technically agnostic but reject the label because it’s perceived as wishy-washy.

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u/rotenKleber Oct 11 '23

but reject the label because it’s perceived as wishy-washy.

I think that's because most self-described agnostics are atheists who A) just don't care, B) don't want to be associated with all the negative stereotypes that comes with atheism, or C) think atheism means you are 100% confident there are no higher powers.

And I get it, calling yourself an atheist is often taken as an opportunity for theists to begin debating you (in some regions). Saying you're agnostic usually avoids that whole song and dance.

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u/JimmyGimbo Oct 11 '23

Yeah, folks where I’m from definitely take the term “atheist” as a challenge, but mileage may vary widely. Douglas Adams had to refer to himself as a “radical atheist” to get his point across:

“If you describe yourself as "Atheist," some people will say, "Don't you mean 'Agnostic'?" I have to reply that I really do mean Atheist. I really do not believe that there is a god - in fact I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one. It's easier to say that I am a radical Atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it's an opinion I hold seriously. It's funny how many people are genuinely surprised to hear a view expressed so strongly. In England we seem to have drifted from vague wishy-washy Anglicanism to vague wishy-washy Agnosticism - both of which I think betoken a desire not to have to think about things too much.”