[Poison Pill]

Agnosticism is a lack of faith

Agnosticism is the abscence of knowledge (gnosis). It isn't doubt and it isn't a lack of faith. It is the state of being in which there is not enough knowledge to draw a conclusion. In this case, a conclusion as to the existence of God.

Atheism is a denial of God’s existence — which is a belief requiring faith.

Atheism is what you do (the conclusion you draw) with the knowledge you have. Some believe (have faith)- Theists, some don't believe - Atheists.

[angryoldfatman]

“There’s a simple test to tell if one is an agnostic or not. Do you think you know for sure if any gods exist?

If so, then you’re not an agnostic.

Do you think you know for sure that gods do not or even cannot exist? If so, then you’re not an agnostic.

Everyone who can’t answer ‘yes’ to one of those questions is a person who may or may not believe in one or more gods, but since they don’t also claim to know for sure they are agnostic — an agnostic theist or an agnostic atheist.”

From: http://atheism.about.com/od/aboutagnosticism/a/Atheist-vs-Agnostic-Difference.htm

[tumblindice]

Christopher Hitchens was asked what he would say if he found himself standing before God after his death. He replied that he would say, “You didn’t give me enough evidence, Lord.”

Hitchens went to his grave like many others, lacking faith. I suppose if he had been Muslim—or a member of Phil Robertson’s congregation—the faithful might have murdered him in service to Allah/God.

Religion Poisons Everything.

[Diamond]

Agnosticism is the abscence of knowledge (gnosis). It isn't doubt and it isn't a lack of faith. It is the state of being in which there is not enough knowledge to draw a conclusion. In this case, a conclusion as to the existence of God.

One would have to be omniscient to know for sure that there is not enough knowledge to draw a conclusion as to the existence of God. So to say that it is a "state of being", as opposed to a mere claim about a state of being is nothing more than a claim of omniscient ignorance.

Not claiming to know for sure is just as much a claim as a claim to know for sure. One would have to have searched everywhere at all times and places to know for sure that there is not enough evidence to know for sure. It is self-refuting.

Cordially,

[Da Bilge Troll]

"Atheism is what you do (the conclusion you draw) with the knowledge you have. Some believe (have faith)- Theists, some don't believe - Atheists."

You seem to view Agnosticism as merely a transitory step. I see it as more than transitory -- as a state in itself - a lack of ability to have faith.