We need to use words as they are generally understood and be careful we 
don't get into the trap of having our own special meanings and hence 
both not understanding and not being understood.
Case in point is "atheism," which to me I find has the special meaning 
of "no God or gods belief."  The agnostic falls into that category, as 
he or she does not "believe" in a God.  I realize however that that is 
not what the ordinary person means.  The ordinary person hearing 
"atheist" thinks there is a positive assertion that there cannot be a 
God.  Well of course I strongly doubt that anyone would be so foolish as
 to think that, so in the end we are all "agnostics."
I nevertheless am in a quandary since I find "atheist" to be the more 
honest self-description.  I am pretty much as sure that there is no God 
as I am of anything.
 
No comments:
Post a Comment