Why I Choose to be an Agnostic

Most people adhere to some kind of religious faith, whether it is specifically Christian or Jewish or Muslim, or simply an idea of God or an afterlife. A smaller --but still significant-- portion of the population does not.

An agnostic is a person who neither believes in a faith or a higher power, nor disbelieves in it. Classically, an agnostic was a person who believed that it was impossible to know the truth of the existence of God or the afterlife. Today, though, most agnostics simply say they're open to the possibility-- they haven't seen enough evidence to convince them to be a theist (a believer) or an atheist (a staunch disbeliever).

Many people --especially those of strong faith-- believe that the position of an agnostic is one of weakness and indecision. But as an agnostic myself, I believe that agnosticism is a brave choice: agnostics embrace not knowing, and are open to whatever the final answer to the question of God and faith may be.

6 Big Benefits of Agnosticism

1. It's reasonable. Most agnostics are inherently logical; we use reason and the evidence of our own eyes to reach our conclusions. Faith-based convictions (whether it is a belief in God or an outright disbelief) lack evidence, which is why agnostics don't buy into them. Without evidence, we don't feel able to come to conclusions.

2. It leaves room for possibility. Many people are comforted by the idea of God, of life after death. But while atheists believe that there is no higher power or any life after death, agnostics are open to the possibility of both of those things. Agnosticism doesn't close any doors for us; it leaves all doors open at least a crack. The truth is what it is; agnostics are in a position to accept it no matter what it may be.

3. Religion is a sticky subject. There's a reason while you'll find tons of articles on internet dating sites telling you not to bring up religion on the first date: it's a sticky, sticky subject. There are countless religions in the world, and each and every one is convinced that their view of God is the only true one. Having hugely varying religious views can make any relationship --or any conversation-- more complicated than it has to be.

4. Consistent beliefs. If you hold to a particular faith, such as Christianity, you'll find this is an uncomfortable truth: religions tend to preach intolerance. And sometimes, a religion's positions or views on a subject oppose your own. If I were a Fundamentalist Christian rather than an agnostic, I'd have a very difficult time reconciling my support for and acceptance of the gay community with my religion --and my God's-- disdain for what they consider "wrong."

5. Acceptance. I believe that living in the present is one of the best things you can do for your own happiness. But deeply religious people tend to get caught up in the future. What will happen to their souls? What does God think of their actions? While most agnostics believe in doing rightly instead of wrong, they also tend to accept their lives and themselves more easily than the deeply religious. Agnostics acknowledge the possibility that this life may be all they have, and tend to live it with less fear.

6. Non-violence. While an agnostic can --and does-- doubt the truth of all faiths, an agnostic's views leaves room for all of them. It's easy to get along with people when your faith (or lack thereof) doesn't conflict with their own. And it's also easier to be peaceful. Most of the world's violence uses religion as a reason (or, more often, an excuse) for violent behavior. The more people who are simply open and non-judgmental about the faith of others, the more peaceful this planet will be. It's that simple.

Religion does a lot of wonderful things for society. It generally instills good and moral behavior in its followers, and helps them to make better choices. But choosing not to believe or disbelieve doesn't mean you have to give up on the good that religion can bring. We all know what is right and what is wrong; being moral is something that we all have the strength to do on our own. Or with God, if it comes to that. After all... who knows?

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Comments

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 at 6:52 PM, by James Wall
Excellent article by Shawn Wilson. It's refreshing to read someone who has really captured the essence of an agnostic. For further information, try the book "To Be an Agnostic" by James Kirk Wall. I may be a bit biased, but it's the best book I've ever read. :)
Thanks for the great article Shawn!
-Jim Wall

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