Agnosticism

[roadrunner]

Tell me what you think of such a concept.

Do you think it can be applicable to established religions like Islam?

[Admin Khan]

Welcome Roadrunner, it's been a while and good to see you back.

Can it be applicable to Islam? Muslims do not believe it's impossible to believe in a God. We believe there is a God, Allah. The Quran and Hadith provide further guidance, and a way of life.

[roadrunner]

Thank you for the gracious welcome oh fiery one with two fingers.

What is your definition of an agnostic? An agnostic can believe in the existence of God, just that he/she cannot prove it.

[Alchemist]

Wait for scimitar...

He is writing his grade 15 exam for the 2nd time so he is preoccupied.

(Plus he is waiting for the amnesia to set in from the horrible psychological trauma I exposed him to last time he was here.)

He identifies himself as a "theist agnostic"....I would like to now how he rationalizes that stance as well. So come back later.

[roadrunner]

and the opposition you have to him calling himself this is what, exactly?

[Karachi]

agnostic people are more willing to look for the truth rather than just declaring that there is no God.

I have had some agnostic friends and there answer to the existence of God was "I dont know". So basically they are in the middle

Now this said, some of there arguments were more "atheist" like from what i have noticed, meaning they were probably more closer to being atheists rather than believers

[roadrunner]

By a similar argument, an agnostic can be more closer to being a believer than an atheist.

That's not the question. Can an agnostic be a believer?

If not, why not?

[Karachi]

^ well are you talking about believer in Islam or believer in God?

If they believe in God than they are not agnostics I think

[roadrunner]

if they believe in God but feel they can't prove it, arent they agnostic?

[ozymandias]

Thank you for the gracious welcome oh fiery one with two fingers.

What is your definition of an agnostic? An agnostic can believe in the existence of God, just that he/she cannot prove it.

Exactly. Agnosticism/gnosticism is separate from atheism/theism.

[ozymandias]

Wait for scimitar...

He is writing his grade 15 exam for the 2nd time so he is preoccupied.

(Plus he is waiting for the amnesia to set in from the horrible psychological trauma I exposed him to last time he was here.)

He identifies himself as a "theist agnostic"....I would like to now how he rationalizes that stance as well. So come back later.

Rationalizes it? It's one of the standard 4 categorizations of religious belief.

[ozymandias]

agnostic people are more willing to look for the truth rather than just declaring that there is no God.

I have had some agnostic friends and there answer to the existence of God was "I dont know". So basically they are in the middle

Now this said, some of there arguments were more "atheist" like from what i have noticed, meaning they were probably more closer to being atheists rather than believers

False. Agnosticism is *not* in the middle of theism, atheism. It is a measure of belief in the ability to *PROVE* your atheistic or theistic beliefs.

[ozymandias]

By a similar argument, an agnostic can be more closer to being a believer than an atheist.

That's not the question. Can an agnostic be a believer?

If not, why not?

Yes they can, and most believers actually are agnostic, and just don't know it. They believe in a god, and understand that they cannot actually prove that belief to others.

[ozymandias]

if they believe in God but feel they can't prove it, arent they agnostic?

Yes.

[ozymandias]

Perhaps this will help. Keep in mind, that in this context 'certain' means 100% provable, and not just 'I take it as a matter of faith'.