Agnostic Atheism
I would like to start off this entry with a diagram, here's one I made earlier:
THEISM ---------------------------- AGNOSTICISM ---------------------------- ATHEISM
That is the chart of theistic ideas as I see it. If you've had a peek around my blog or indeed you have the pleasure of being acquainted with me in person you would be forgiven for guessing that I would place myself here:
THEISM ---------------------------AGNOSTICISM --------------------------ATHEISM
^
Some would say it would be bang in the middle. In fact, it's here:
THEISM ---------------------------AGNOSTICISM --------------------------ATHEISM
^
Yeah so? What’s the great significance you may ask. Well, there’s actually a lot of difference. The point of this post is less that I demonstrate my beliefs but to demonstrate what a completely rational person should believe. Here's why: First let me clarify that by 'God' I don't just mean higher power I mean in a more Christian loving God type being. Now I'm sure most people would agree that a person on the true path of rationality (yeah I know I'm speaking kinda funny today but I've just done a formal exam so bear with me...) would not be on the theist end due to the complete lack of hard evidence for God, if you think you have some please leave a comment or email me (marykellymmyk@gmail.com).
Right, having established that, lets go to the other extreme - complete out and out atheism. Why isn't this a completely rational belief? Because it requires just as much blind belief as theism does. We have no proof that there is no God. There are even many semi-convincing arguments for a higher power, which could lead you into the belief that there is a God up there. But even if these don't convince you must admit there is no proof for the non-existence of God. Lets have a practical, put out your hand. Ok, look at your palm. Now I'm telling there is a little fairy sitting on the edge of your hand with her little pale legs dangling off the side. What you don't believe me? Why not? You can't see her? Well, that’s easy, she’s invisible. Can't feel her? You're not sensitive enough, but she is there. And how can you argue with me, can you really completely deny the existence of that little fairy sitting on your hand if we've agreed that she's invisible? Of course you can't, you've got nothing to say that the invisible fairy isn't there. I'm telling you she is, and what's more she's probably an invisible and probably slightly pissed off fairy by now as you don't believe in her. Wouldn't you be annoyed if I didn't believe in you? I would apologise to her if I were you.
So far I've explained why I believe it is not rational to be theist or atheist. So, lets go to agnosticism (here I'm talking about belief that there is a 50% chance of God existing), why isn't that right either? Well, while you may not have been able to come up with an explanation as to why the fairy isn't there, you probably still think its highly likely that she doesn't exist although I hope I've convinced you that she might. This is the reason agnosticism doesn't work either. If you cannot either use sensory perception or logic to prove the existence of something it is automatically more likely that there isn't some thing there. If there appears to be nothing, you must prove that there is something, you don't look at what appears to be nothing and assume there is something and equally if I showed you an apparently empty room you won’t say there is a 50% chance of something being there.
Therefore, I'm between agnosticism and atheism.
By the way, where's your hand? You haven't closed it and crushed the fairy have you??
You're great, Mary, well done indeed! I've been waiting for a diagram, it's
exactly how I picture it! And by the way, I let the fairy read your blog
with me and then sent her on her way. She's happy you have some faith in
her :)
Excellent, thought-provoking post. Me, I'm a bit right of agnosticism on
your diagram but I'm not quite ready to close my fist...hey, I'm willing to
give my fairy the benefit of the doubt :-)
You explained it so well and atheists just don't get it when I tell them
that they can be just as close-minded as a practicing person. Very
stimulating post! Glad I found you!!
Welcome to the <a title="" href="http://mojoey.blogspot.com/2006/09/join
-mojoeys-atheist-blogroll.html">Atheist Blogroll</a>
Hey! aA is a great place to be!
You seem to have satisfactorily established that there is a difference
between science and religion.
Mary, I've come across your blog while surfing Blogmad and I'm glad I have.
You have a wonderful place, here. There's some thought provoking posts.
And this Blog-City thing isn't looking too bad, either. I may actually try
it out.