Why Do People Become Agnostic?
An agnostic is a person who claims either that knowledge of God is unknowable (strong agnosticism) or that evidence for God's existence has not personally been discovered (weak agnosticism). Furthermore, an agnostic might also be more of a relativist and simply state that God might exist for some but not for others (will call this subjectivistic agnosticism).
Why do people become agnostic? In this post, I'd like to answer that question in four possible ways. Of course an agnostic might hold to his or her position for a combination of these reasons or another reason not listed here, but I imagine this list will cover most of them.
1) Intellectual reasons. Many agnostics have honestly pursued the question of the existence of God and have found the evidence lacking. They see naturalistic explanations as to the origin of life, order and design in the universe, and the existence of morals as providing sufficient explanation for their existence. To them, God seems illogical. They often cannot understand why a good, loving, and powerful God would allow evil in the world.
2) Pragmatic reasons. Some agnostics have not really pursued the question of God's existence. They have not done the research needed to examine the evidence or to look within their own souls to see if there is a need there for God. They are either too lazy or too apathetic. Often they say, "If God does exist, it would not make any perceptible difference to my life."
3) Moral reasons. Some agnostics maintain their view because they are caught in a cycle of immoral behavior that is allowable under their current moral code, based on an agnostic view of the universe. Even though they might concede that evidence for God's existence is strong, they recognize that if they should be persuaded that God exists they would be accountable for their actions and might have to cease the immoral behavior.
4) Tolerance reasons. Finally, some agnostics withhold judgment as to the existence of God for fear that they will be labeled as intolerant if a viewpoint is taken. There have been so many religious conflicts throughout history, and understandably, there is often a desire to avoid these.
It should be clear, there are probably no two agnostics who are exactly alike. Similarly, I have not met two Christians exactly alike either. If you are agnostic, I challenge you to think deeply about why you have chosen this position. Likewise, Christians should be challenged to determine why we hold to our beliefs.
Why do people become agnostic? In this post, I'd like to answer that question in four possible ways. Of course an agnostic might hold to his or her position for a combination of these reasons or another reason not listed here, but I imagine this list will cover most of them.
1) Intellectual reasons. Many agnostics have honestly pursued the question of the existence of God and have found the evidence lacking. They see naturalistic explanations as to the origin of life, order and design in the universe, and the existence of morals as providing sufficient explanation for their existence. To them, God seems illogical. They often cannot understand why a good, loving, and powerful God would allow evil in the world.
2) Pragmatic reasons. Some agnostics have not really pursued the question of God's existence. They have not done the research needed to examine the evidence or to look within their own souls to see if there is a need there for God. They are either too lazy or too apathetic. Often they say, "If God does exist, it would not make any perceptible difference to my life."
3) Moral reasons. Some agnostics maintain their view because they are caught in a cycle of immoral behavior that is allowable under their current moral code, based on an agnostic view of the universe. Even though they might concede that evidence for God's existence is strong, they recognize that if they should be persuaded that God exists they would be accountable for their actions and might have to cease the immoral behavior.
4) Tolerance reasons. Finally, some agnostics withhold judgment as to the existence of God for fear that they will be labeled as intolerant if a viewpoint is taken. There have been so many religious conflicts throughout history, and understandably, there is often a desire to avoid these.
It should be clear, there are probably no two agnostics who are exactly alike. Similarly, I have not met two Christians exactly alike either. If you are agnostic, I challenge you to think deeply about why you have chosen this position. Likewise, Christians should be challenged to determine why we hold to our beliefs.
8 Comments:
This was a very interesting article.There were some good points made,and I am not going to write a comment in order to debate,like so many.I actually can see that, before I was saved and became a Christian,that I had some "agnostic"traits.I did not want to be held accountable for my words or actions.I'm not sure if that was "agnostic"or not.It sure seems like it was.I also was one of those who kinda knew that God existed,but I did not want to admit it,because I was embarassed around friends.But I do realize now that a real friend will not be judgemental,or laugh about me needing God in my life.To make a long story short,I accepted Jesus.And,it is awesome how I and my husband were shown a wonderful church to go to,and we have true friends now.My husband had a hard time with the same things I mentioned about myself,except that he was caught up in thinking that he had to get prepared to recieve Jesus. Which,after a while of witnessing my "new life" he realized he did not have to get prepared.We see our old friends now,and we still love them,but it's different than it was then,we don't do the same things we used to with them,like smoking pot,or listening to the same music.But,what is neat ,is that our old friends are actually not as judgemental as we thought they would be.We do not talk to them much anymore,but we are here for them anytime,as long as they don't push off drugs or their lifestyles on us.They know that we do not like all that stuff now,and do not do that anymore,so they don't come around hardly.But,we have some real friends now. And we all do have our own personal struggles that led us to God.Of course there are a few who say they never really had a "need" to come to God,but they did come to God,so there was a need actually.I'm rambling on now,so thanks for the insightful article.
I forgot to mention something in my last comment.This is about that some "agnostics"think that God would not let bad and evil things to happen.Well,bad things do happen,and God does allow it.He may not like it,but at other times He allows it to happen as a way for us to see that we need Him,or to show us something[Christians]and those who have not yet recieved Him,He may allow bad stuff for the simple reason to bring the unsaved to Him.It sounds strange,yes,but it happens.You gotta think,God created the world,universe,and us people and all creatures,well of course that also means that He created evil.He did create the "devil".He made good and evil.See,we as Christians face "spiritual warfare"and the spirit and flesh are in constant battle.What do we think Ephesians6 is all about? But,lets say that someone you love,a child,a parent,or anyone we love dies or gets hurt,then we are left questioning God,not all of us but a lot of people do,and they may even be Christian,or not,they want to blame God for the tragedy,and say that a loving God would not allow it.I do agree that it probably should not have happened,but that is a topic that only God knows the answer to.Why,we don't know,but God did allow it.He also prevents things as well.He does surely work in ways that we don't understand or like,but He works what He works for reasons unknown to us.Yet,He reveals to us just as much known also.He's quite mysterious,but all loving at the same time.It is tough love sometimes,but God is doing it out of love.I could be wrong,maybe you could comment on that Jason.Thanks
Kelly, I appreciate your sincerity and your concern. May the Lord continue to bless your life with His abiding truth!
I don't see agnosticism as a choice, rather I see it as a starting out point. If the majority of people "chose" agnosticism, that would imply they were born with beliefs already in place.
I have gone through phases in life where I thought I believed in something, but upon closer examination, found that I couldn't hold it any longer as a belief, but now it was a "possibility". The more information I am exposed to, the more unsure I am as to what is actually going on.
I've tried to "believe" in God and asked Him to "show me the way" and nothing happened. Faith didn't materialize out of thin air, I didn't feel "overwhelmed with His presence", I was no more or less knowledgeable, and no more ethical or righteous than when I started. And believe me, I was as open to it as I could possibly be.
Now obviously, there's more to it than that, but I can not say that I have "chosen" agnosticism. How does one choose to not know?
I dont agree with you Brandi, beliefs - whether religious or not - are part of your upbringing. Its something that develops from the day you were born, but you cant really say agnosticism is the clean sheet you start off with.
Logically and scientifically, God cannot be proven nor falsified. Therefore I'm agnostic. My own daily objective philosophy (where logic and empiricism stand above belief systems) doesn't support God, although I do very much understand why many people do believe. It's very attractive, it gives a feeling of purpose and righteousness, and to many it makes perfect sense. I even think it's a very natural thing to do. Genetically we're inclined to believe that there is at least 'something'. I don't know if I do, but I know it cannot be proven. You have to *believe*.
Jurgen,you are right that a belief system develops the day we were born.That is God.God cannot be proven scientifically or logically,yes.Faith comes in with that.Faith is the belief in something unseen,that being God.And it is a very natural thing to do,as you stated.But I want to add something,my Christianity is not here because it is attractive or belief in "at least" something.My belief and faith does give me purpose,Gods purpose.It gives me righteousness because Jesus is living His life in me.I hope you find God.No scientist or logical evidence is ever going to prove one way or another,and you said that.To me you actually have more of an open mind than you think or accept.I really hope you consider that God is really here and He even knows who you are.Take care.You wrote on this back in August,it is the end of September now,but hopefully you will see this.
My boyfriend is agnostic, and he believes that god is not real because theres no proof. I said thats why its called FAITH. There is no down right proof. He needs there to be proof in order to believe in something, I on the other hand love thinking that there is someone watching out for me, helping me along the road of life. It makes it easier everyday to wake up knowing that as your getting closer to death, that its not the end. Its the beggining of something new and exciting. Where family and friends will all be joined together again. I love knowing there will be someone there when I die, knowing there will be a time when I see everyone I have lost, a time to laugh again and look down on those who still walk this place.
I consider myself an agnostic, closest to the "intellectual agnostic" as described above. I think it is important to point out that while I am not convinced that God exists, or if God exists, what god's nature is, neither am I convinced of the non-existance of God. I think that is the difference between agnosticims and atheism. I grew up in a very religious home, but I remember doubting my former faith from a very young age, due to what I now belive was a my sense of logic. After a long period of questioning my faith and feeling guilty for doing so, I now live my life without fear of death or judgment. My own sense of logic tells me tht no God capable of creating a world as incredible as the universe in which we live would ever "punish" me for following the dictates of the conscience he has given me. And my conscience tells me I can never know whether god exists or not, and if he exists, what his (or her) nature is. I try to live by moral principals of the major religions because they are generally a good way of living, but I modify them to fit the dictates of my own conscience. I think the difference between me and most religious people is that I am fairly comfortable with the possibility that when I die, the light will simply go off in my head and that will be that. I never lost respect for the good that religious people do, and I bear no ill will towards believers as long as they don't tell me what to believe.
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