Agnosticism: Truth?

[Sultan85]

Hey, First time posting here.

I've always been agnostic and in my mind it seems so clear. The fact that people are either atheist or believe in ________ confuses me. How can someone say "No, God certainly does not exist" or "God exists, and on top of that he has this rule book you have to follow." I don't know anything about God and I'll happily stand by that.

Look at it from this point of view. Top scientists around the world all agree on one thing: that we don't know much about: space, the universe, everything that is outside our little world. Yet, we "know" that God created it?

I don't want to argue about the EXISTENCE of God, since it's really pointless to get to any kind of conclusion. How does the universe work? I really don't know. Could a God be part of the answer? Sure, I don't see why not. That's where I usually disagree with atheists; I won't say "No way in hell is there a God." It's not really worth our time to speculate about something so abstract as whether or not a God, who created the whole universe, exists or not.

However, most religions (specifically monotheistic religions) take it farther than that. They're telling us "Yes, God exists and on top of that he wants to you to do this and that or you'll burn in hell." This is where my blood gets heated. Maybe it's due to the fact that I've never stepped in a church that I don't understand this kind of thinking; but it's just instinctively wrong.
So they're telling me, that the creator of human beings and on top of that, the whole universe, has a beef against me for looking at a woman with lust, and that I should repent of my sins? Seriously, the whole idea that the most intelligent and supreme being of the universe is particularly concerned with what us humans do on earth seems ridiculous. In God's eyes, we humans must seem like amibas are seen by us. Are you going to tell an amiba how to live and on top of that send him to hell if he doesn't comply? C'mon! Personally, if God does exist, I think he would be rather friendly.

I guess I've been ranting for a while; but since all my friends are either agnostic or atheist I never get the counter point to my argument.
My final question to all who read this: Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

[Goat]

Hey, First time posting here.

I've always been agnostic and in my mind it seems so clear. The fact that people are either atheist or believe in ________ confuses me. How can someone say "No, God certainly does not exist" or "God exists, and on top of that he has this rule book you have to follow." I don't know anything about God and I'll happily stand by that.

Look at it from this point of view. Top scientists around the world all agree on one thing: that we don't know much about: space, the universe, everything that is outside our little world. Yet, we "know" that God created it?

I don't want to argue about the EXISTENCE of God, since it's really pointless to get to any kind of conclusion. How does the universe work? I really don't know. Could a God be part of the answer? Sure, I don't see why not. That's where I usually disagree with atheists; I won't say "No way in hell is there a God." It's not really worth our time to speculate about something so abstract as whether or not a God, who created the whole universe, exists or not.

However, most religions (specifically monotheistic religions) take it farther than that. They're telling us "Yes, God exists and on top of that he wants to you to do this and that or you'll burn in hell." This is where my blood gets heated. Maybe it's due to the fact that I've never stepped in a church that I don't understand this kind of thinking; but it's just instinctively wrong.
So they're telling me, that the creator of human beings and on top of that, the whole universe, has a beef against me for looking at a woman with lust, and that I should repent of my sins? Seriously, the whole idea that the most intelligent and supreme being of the universe is particularly concerned with what us humans do on earth seems ridiculous. In God's eyes, we humans must seem like amibas are seen by us. Are you going to tell an amiba how to live and on top of that send him to hell if he doesn't comply? C'mon! Personally, if God does exist, I think he would be rather friendly.

I guess I've been ranting for a while; but since all my friends are either agnostic or atheist I never get the counter point to my argument.
My final question to all who read this: Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

Well, for those of faith, personal feelings are enough evidence. Then, there are several varieties of atheists. One type will say 'Since there is no evidence for any deity, I will not believe in any deity.'

[McCulloch]

Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

Since most theists cannot even answer the question, what is God, we certainly cannot conclusively even address does God exist.

I am agnostic to the existence of God, as it might by defined by any and every possible believer, but I am an atheist to the specific God as defined by most religions.

[Beto]

Some agnostics claim the nature of "God" is inherently unknowable, some that it's just unknown. For my part, I am yet to come across an understanding of "God" that doesn't defy my perception of logic, and for that reason I am an atheist. I suspect most agnostics don't give the matter of logic enough thought.

[Furrowed Brow]

There are those who believe atheism is an attitude or an aesthetic. You engage with the world in a certain way and a certain light. Seen this way God not existing makes complete sense. I say God does not exist for some of the reason given above by other contributors, but also because I find the concept meaningless and void. Like sucking on vacuum - I can't live that way.

[alexiarose]

Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

Since most theists cannot even answer the question, what is God, we certainly cannot conclusively even address does God exist.

What is God? He is strength, hope, and forgiveness. Most non-theists get stuck on the concept of God being physical or even substance. But that isn't God. God is a concept that we can understand only in terms of a concept.

He provides strength for us when we are faced with some of the toughest trials (of course, sometimes our parents can do this as well)
He provides hope that despite the hardships, we have a reason for life that is personal.
He provides forgiveness of things like guilt that can eat us alive.

Now, I am not saying other things like humanism can't provide this. Too each his own. For a theist though, at least in my case, God provides these though I am ultimately responsible for following through with life.

[McCulloch]

What is God? He is strength, hope, and forgiveness.

If God is strength, hope and forgiveness, then I am a theist. The problem is that these attributes do not fit the description of what God is by any religion I know.

Most non-theists get stuck on the concept of God being physical or even substance. But that isn't God. God is a concept that we can understand only in terms of a concept.

Your God is only a metaphor for human characteristics that you value.

He provides strength for us when we are faced with some of the toughest trials (of course, sometimes our parents can do this as well)

There is no evidence of that. A belief in supernatural entities such as the Christian God provides some humans with strength.

[alexiarose]

HELLO AGAIN LARRY!!! I see you are still funny. LOL....

What is God? He is strength, hope, and forgiveness.

If God is strength, hope and forgiveness, then I am a theist. The problem is that these attributes do not fit the description of what God is by any religion I know.

Why do these attributes not fit the Christian God?

Most non-theists get stuck on the concept of God being physical or even substance. But that isn't God. God is a concept that we can understand only in terms of a concept.

Your God is only a metaphor for human characteristics that you value.

In your opinion. Can you back this opinion?

He provides strength for us when we are faced with some of the toughest trials (of course, sometimes our parents can do this as well)

There is no evidence of that. A belief in supernatural entities such as the Christian God provides some humans with strength.

How convenient for you to drop the point that I admit humanism can suffice for some.

[Beto]

Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

Since most theists cannot even answer the question, what is God, we certainly cannot conclusively even address does God exist.

What is God? He is strength, hope, and forgiveness. Most non-theists get stuck on the concept of God being physical or even substance. But that isn't God. God is a concept that we can understand only in terms of a concept.

He provides strength for us when we are faced with some of the toughest trials (of course, sometimes our parents can do this as well)
He provides hope that despite the hardships, we have a reason for life that is personal.
He provides forgiveness of things like guilt that can eat us alive.

For something that can be understood only in terms of a concept (purely abstract?) these seem like highly measurable effects. How do you account for that?

[alexiarose]

Why isn't agnosticism the only true way of looking at the God issue?

Since most theists cannot even answer the question, what is God, we certainly cannot conclusively even address does God exist.

What is God? He is strength, hope, and forgiveness. Most non-theists get stuck on the concept of God being physical or even substance. But that isn't God. God is a concept that we can understand only in terms of a concept.

He provides strength for us when we are faced with some of the toughest trials (of course, sometimes our parents can do this as well)
He provides hope that despite the hardships, we have a reason for life that is personal.
He provides forgiveness of things like guilt that can eat us alive.

For something that can be understood only in terms of a concept (purely abstract?) these seem like highly measurable effects. How do you account for that?

Really?

How does one measure the strength we use to overcome trials?
How does one measure hope?
How does one measure forgiveness or guilt?