Sunday, July 22, 2012
This "unholy trinity" of dirty A words seem to be thrown around a lot these days by the believer and non-believer alike. On the internet and in casual conversations with friends I am noticing more and more that most people still don't know the differences between the three. One notices when reading the definitions of these terms that all three are closely related, but actually three different things. In other words, they are three different answers to three different questions. In my first blog I would like to clear up this confusion as best I can. Let's take a look at those definitions before I get into the meat of this entry.
Agnostic (from Ancient Greek (a-) "without", and (gnōsis) "knowledge") when defined in it's most strict sense, is the view that humanity does not currently possess the requisite knowledge and/or reason to provide sufficient rational grounds to justify the belief that deities either do or do not exist. The English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley, known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his support of Darwin's theory of evolution, coined the term in 1869 during a speech to the Metaphysical Society when describing his philosophy which rejects any claims of mystical or spiritual knowledge. Huxley, however, was not the first to have promoted agnostic points of view. Others who have written on the subject before him include: Protagoras, a 5th-century BCE Greek philosopher, and the Nasadiya Sukta creation myth in the Rig Veda, an ancient Sanskrit text. Huxley viewed agnosticism as a method of skeptical, evidence-based inquiry rather than as an actual creed. Huxley once said, "Agnosticism, in fact, is not a creed, but a method, the essence of which lies in the rigorous application of a single principle...Positively the principle may be expressed: In matters of the intellect, follow your reason as far as it will take you, without regard to any other consideration. And negatively: In matters of the intellect do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable." In short, the agnostic's answer is: "I don't know for sure."
Atheist (from Ancient Greek (atheos), meaning "without god(s)") was a term given to describe those who were believed to reject the gods worshiped by society at large. With the spread of "The Enlightenment", free thought, skeptical inquiry, and the increase in criticism of religion, the term became more well defined. Karen Armstrong writes that, "During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the word 'atheist' was still reserved exclusively for polemic... The term 'atheist' was an insult. Nobody would have dreamed of calling himself an atheist." In the middle of the seventeenth century it was still assumed that it was impossible not to believe in God. The very first people to identify themselves as "atheists" lived in the 18th century, specifically denouncing the monotheistic Abrahamic god of the Pentateuch, the Bible, and the Koran. Speaking in a broad sense, atheism is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. When speaking in a more narrow sense, it is more specifically the stance that there are no deities. More generally, atheism is just the absence of belief that deities exist at all. Today in Western society the term "atheism" simply means a "disbelief in God"
Starting to see something like evolution here?
Anti-theist (from Ancient Greek (anti-) and (theismos) is an active opposition to theism. The Oxford English Dictionary defines an anti theist as: "One OPPOSED to belief in the existence of a god." An anti-theist may be opposed to one, multiple, or any gods. Anti-theism is a label for those who take the position that religion is a poison to everything in society. The late Christopher Hitchens gives a great example of this sentiment in his book, Letters to a Young Contrarian. He writes, "I'm not even an atheist so much as I am an anti-theist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches, and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful." French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain described it as "an active struggle against everything that reminds us of God." Basically an anti-theist celebrates the notion that there is no deity or deities that watch over us and monitor our every action, mental and physical. No interruption of the laws of nature and the universe by any super natural being.
Now that we have that cleared up, let's put all this together. Like I pointed out before, agnosticism deals with the question, "Is there a god(s)?" The agnostic's answer would be, "I don't know because we can never know with 100% certainty." So in that sense I am an agnostic. I come from the school of "I don't know!" On the other hand, atheism deals with the question, "Do you believe in god(s)?" To which the atheist's answer would be something like, "No, because I do not see any compelling evidence to support that claim." Which makes me an atheist also. Which now takes me back to the agnostic's question again. If you're answer is, "I don't know...", your answer is pretty much "NO."
The anti-theist's position can be a lonely one since technically you can believe in god(s) while still opposing them. The same can be said about the atheist. I know many atheist and agnostics who, while not being able to regain their faith because of the mounds of evidence that stares at them directly in the face, in many ways miss or in someway wish it to remain true for consolation. In other words they wish they had never had their eyes opened and the veil removed. But we're seeing more and more the younger generations starting to see through the facade of the priest, pastors, mullahs, and clerics. New polls are showing that 80% of people under 30 in the United States now "doubt the existence of god." In places like Iran and other countries in the Middle East we are seeing the younger generation starting to rise up against their oppressive theocratic governments. Not to mention the new discoveries in science that we learn about everyday. Personally, I see myself as all three "A" words. Agnostic, because I don't know. Atheist, because all the available evidence points to no god(s). And most of all, anti-theist, because I am opposed to and deny the existence of god(s). Not to mention relieved as well! I have no desire to live in a celestial North Korea.
To conclude, I'm not calling for the death of all religion. In fact, if our government was trying to outlaw religion, I'd speak out against it. People often ask me, "If you're an atheist, why do you care?", "You talk about God and religion more than most believers I know." The reason I'm so fascinated with religion is because it's our first version of the truth. It's our first attempt as a species to understand the world around us. When we didn't know that we lived on a spherical planet and that it revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. We didn't know that there were micro-organisms that caused diseases. We couldn't explain natural phenomenon like tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes,tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. We attributed human pain and suffering to sin, curses, demons, and if nothing else, just God's divine plan. Religion comes from a time when we didn't know anything! It's also our first attempt at philosophy and morality. Also our first attempt at healthcare. But with all that said, because it is our first, it is our worst. We now have much better and more elegant explanations for all these things. More is still coming in everyday! We have solved so many mysteries. No longer can we say, "We don't know, therefor God did it." Yet some still wish to live in that impenetrable bubble that forbids us to think and denies us the knowledge to progress. Where once religion probably might have been an aide to our survival; it has now become a great peril to our continued ability to live as a civilized species. Oh, how wondrous are the photos that the Hubble telescope have given us. Just think of Galileo, Einstein, and Darwin, AND Hawking. Think of how much more elegant and persuasive they are. Or, just contemplate a black hole for as long as you can. How much more awe inspiring are all of these things than the idea of the burning bush or turning water into wine or walking on water. I'm not calling for anyone to denounce their religion and I'm damn sure not trying to convert anyone. What I am calling for is more outspoken, unapologetic atheists and agnostics to make themselves known. Let's let the world know that we are "Good without God!" There must be a more concerted rise of secularism and reason in the 21st century.
I leave you with my favorite verse from the Bible. A verse from the epistle of Saul of Tarsus, later known as "Saint Paul," to the Philippians (chapter 4, verse 8):
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Agnostic (from Ancient Greek (a-) "without", and (gnōsis) "knowledge") when defined in it's most strict sense, is the view that humanity does not currently possess the requisite knowledge and/or reason to provide sufficient rational grounds to justify the belief that deities either do or do not exist. The English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley, known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his support of Darwin's theory of evolution, coined the term in 1869 during a speech to the Metaphysical Society when describing his philosophy which rejects any claims of mystical or spiritual knowledge. Huxley, however, was not the first to have promoted agnostic points of view. Others who have written on the subject before him include: Protagoras, a 5th-century BCE Greek philosopher, and the Nasadiya Sukta creation myth in the Rig Veda, an ancient Sanskrit text. Huxley viewed agnosticism as a method of skeptical, evidence-based inquiry rather than as an actual creed. Huxley once said, "Agnosticism, in fact, is not a creed, but a method, the essence of which lies in the rigorous application of a single principle...Positively the principle may be expressed: In matters of the intellect, follow your reason as far as it will take you, without regard to any other consideration. And negatively: In matters of the intellect do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable." In short, the agnostic's answer is: "I don't know for sure."
Atheist (from Ancient Greek (atheos), meaning "without god(s)") was a term given to describe those who were believed to reject the gods worshiped by society at large. With the spread of "The Enlightenment", free thought, skeptical inquiry, and the increase in criticism of religion, the term became more well defined. Karen Armstrong writes that, "During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the word 'atheist' was still reserved exclusively for polemic... The term 'atheist' was an insult. Nobody would have dreamed of calling himself an atheist." In the middle of the seventeenth century it was still assumed that it was impossible not to believe in God. The very first people to identify themselves as "atheists" lived in the 18th century, specifically denouncing the monotheistic Abrahamic god of the Pentateuch, the Bible, and the Koran. Speaking in a broad sense, atheism is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. When speaking in a more narrow sense, it is more specifically the stance that there are no deities. More generally, atheism is just the absence of belief that deities exist at all. Today in Western society the term "atheism" simply means a "disbelief in God"
Starting to see something like evolution here?
Anti-theist (from Ancient Greek (anti-) and (theismos) is an active opposition to theism. The Oxford English Dictionary defines an anti theist as: "One OPPOSED to belief in the existence of a god." An anti-theist may be opposed to one, multiple, or any gods. Anti-theism is a label for those who take the position that religion is a poison to everything in society. The late Christopher Hitchens gives a great example of this sentiment in his book, Letters to a Young Contrarian. He writes, "I'm not even an atheist so much as I am an anti-theist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches, and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful." French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain described it as "an active struggle against everything that reminds us of God." Basically an anti-theist celebrates the notion that there is no deity or deities that watch over us and monitor our every action, mental and physical. No interruption of the laws of nature and the universe by any super natural being.
Now that we have that cleared up, let's put all this together. Like I pointed out before, agnosticism deals with the question, "Is there a god(s)?" The agnostic's answer would be, "I don't know because we can never know with 100% certainty." So in that sense I am an agnostic. I come from the school of "I don't know!" On the other hand, atheism deals with the question, "Do you believe in god(s)?" To which the atheist's answer would be something like, "No, because I do not see any compelling evidence to support that claim." Which makes me an atheist also. Which now takes me back to the agnostic's question again. If you're answer is, "I don't know...", your answer is pretty much "NO."
The anti-theist's position can be a lonely one since technically you can believe in god(s) while still opposing them. The same can be said about the atheist. I know many atheist and agnostics who, while not being able to regain their faith because of the mounds of evidence that stares at them directly in the face, in many ways miss or in someway wish it to remain true for consolation. In other words they wish they had never had their eyes opened and the veil removed. But we're seeing more and more the younger generations starting to see through the facade of the priest, pastors, mullahs, and clerics. New polls are showing that 80% of people under 30 in the United States now "doubt the existence of god." In places like Iran and other countries in the Middle East we are seeing the younger generation starting to rise up against their oppressive theocratic governments. Not to mention the new discoveries in science that we learn about everyday. Personally, I see myself as all three "A" words. Agnostic, because I don't know. Atheist, because all the available evidence points to no god(s). And most of all, anti-theist, because I am opposed to and deny the existence of god(s). Not to mention relieved as well! I have no desire to live in a celestial North Korea.
To conclude, I'm not calling for the death of all religion. In fact, if our government was trying to outlaw religion, I'd speak out against it. People often ask me, "If you're an atheist, why do you care?", "You talk about God and religion more than most believers I know." The reason I'm so fascinated with religion is because it's our first version of the truth. It's our first attempt as a species to understand the world around us. When we didn't know that we lived on a spherical planet and that it revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. We didn't know that there were micro-organisms that caused diseases. We couldn't explain natural phenomenon like tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes,tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. We attributed human pain and suffering to sin, curses, demons, and if nothing else, just God's divine plan. Religion comes from a time when we didn't know anything! It's also our first attempt at philosophy and morality. Also our first attempt at healthcare. But with all that said, because it is our first, it is our worst. We now have much better and more elegant explanations for all these things. More is still coming in everyday! We have solved so many mysteries. No longer can we say, "We don't know, therefor God did it." Yet some still wish to live in that impenetrable bubble that forbids us to think and denies us the knowledge to progress. Where once religion probably might have been an aide to our survival; it has now become a great peril to our continued ability to live as a civilized species. Oh, how wondrous are the photos that the Hubble telescope have given us. Just think of Galileo, Einstein, and Darwin, AND Hawking. Think of how much more elegant and persuasive they are. Or, just contemplate a black hole for as long as you can. How much more awe inspiring are all of these things than the idea of the burning bush or turning water into wine or walking on water. I'm not calling for anyone to denounce their religion and I'm damn sure not trying to convert anyone. What I am calling for is more outspoken, unapologetic atheists and agnostics to make themselves known. Let's let the world know that we are "Good without God!" There must be a more concerted rise of secularism and reason in the 21st century.
I leave you with my favorite verse from the Bible. A verse from the epistle of Saul of Tarsus, later known as "Saint Paul," to the Philippians (chapter 4, verse 8):
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Now lets see what you have to say about guns... I just popped your comment cherry!