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This is basically my viewpoint on agnosticism vs atheism as well. My trajectory was Catholic (but not devout) -> atheist -> agnostic. I'm fascinated by all ki

This is basically my viewpoint on agnosticism vs atheism as well. My trajectory was Catholic (but not devout) -> atheist -> agnostic. I'm fascinated by all kinds of religions as historical artefacts even though I don't follow any specific one. I certainly don't view agnosticism as a weasel term either. I cannot be certain there is no god any more than I could be certain there is one (and note by god I'm not referring to the man with the beard and the pearly gates and all that.... something that I think can easily get lost in conversation on this topic). I think it's honest to just say "I don't know". I have a friend who's in the process of discovering his own atheism and while atheism is not a religion, I can clearly see the similarity in passion. I was likely the same back when I was exploring it at first. Have heard lots about The Selfish Gene but never actually sat down and read it.... should really do so. Is there a more modern version to read these days, or is TSG timelessly applicable?

dntrkv 11y ago
Would you say you are agnostic when it comes to belief in Thor? Santa? Unicorns? The FSM? I'm not trying to incite an argument here, I'm genuinely curious.
- Fr0styMatt88 11y ago
  No because as far as I am aware (and I may be wrong here), agnosticism is a concept that applies specifically to your views towards religion and spirituality, which to me more concretely means your inquiry into the question "Why are we here?". The question begs another though and I think this is what you're really trying to ask: Why is belief in God given special consideration apart from beliefs in things like Thor, Santa, Unicorns, FSM, other works of fiction? Am I right in this assertion? EDIT: If this is the case, my answer is similar to one I gave above: Religion is 'special' because it was woven into society long before we developed the scientific understandings that we have now.

dntrkv 11y ago

Would you say you are agnostic when it comes to belief in Thor? Santa? Unicorns? The FSM? I'm not trying to incite an argument here, I'm genuinely curious.

Fr0styMatt88 11y ago
No because as far as I am aware (and I may be wrong here), agnosticism is a concept that applies specifically to your views towards religion and spirituality, which to me more concretely means your inquiry into the question "Why are we here?". The question begs another though and I think this is what you're really trying to ask: Why is belief in God given special consideration apart from beliefs in things like Thor, Santa, Unicorns, FSM, other works of fiction? Am I right in this assertion? EDIT: If this is the case, my answer is similar to one I gave above: Religion is 'special' because it was woven into society long before we developed the scientific understandings that we have now.