Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and the Non-Religious

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Why Tea - 15 May 2009 02:35 GMT

What are the differences and similarities between atheists,
agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, secular humanists and
the non-religious?

/Why Tea

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BMCT2010 - 15 May 2009 22:09 GMT

> What are the differences and similarities between atheists,
> agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, secular humanists and
> the non-religious?
>
> /Why Tea

No one could possibly list all of the differences between these
various groups. In general, the term "atheist" refers to someone who
does not believe in God. The term "agnostic" refers to someone who
doubts the existence of God. A skeptic is someone who might doubt the
existence of God. A free-thinker is someone who thinks freely on the
issue. Someone who is non-religious is someone who is devoid of
religion.

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mm - 15 May 2009 22:59 GMT

>> What are the differences and similarities between atheists,
>> agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, secular humanists and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>does not believe in God. The term "agnostic" refers to someone who
>doubts the existence of God.

Who believes he doesn't know if God exists or not. I'm not sure yours
and mine are the same.

> A skeptic is someone who might doubt the
>existence of God. A free-thinker is someone who thinks freely on the
>issue. Someone who is non-religious is someone who is devoid of
>religion.

That's probably the answer the OP is looking for but religious has
another meaning, consistently observant. One could believe in God,
believe in his own religion, but ignore the requirements of the
religion because he is lazy or tired or depressed or busy with other
things and thinks God will forgive him for whatever he doesn't do, or
is at least at the time ready to take the risk, or believes that there
is no punishment except the failure to observe (that being punishment
in itself), or believes that the punishment won't be as bad as what it
takes to be observant.

Signature

Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 10 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

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Bill McCray - 16 May 2009 20:06 GMT

> >> What are the differences and similarities between atheists,
> >> agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, secular humanists and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> >various groups. In general, the term "atheist" refers to someone who
> >does not believe in God.

I think it's stronger than that. An atheist believes that no god
exists. That is a subset of those who do not believe that a god
exists.

> > The term "agnostic" refers to someone who doubts the existence of God.
>
> Who believes he doesn't know if God exists or not.

That sounds about right. I think some definitions of agnostic include
"believes that whether a god exists or no god exists is unknowable".

Bill in Kentucky

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Tom Morris - 21 May 2009 14:43 GMT

> What are the differences and similarities between atheists,
> agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, secular humanists and
> the non-religious?

See <http://pluralism.org/resources/tradition/atheism.php> and
<http://www.religioustolerance.org/at_ag_hu.htm> for pretty decent
definitions.

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Tom Morris
<http://tommorris.org/>

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2009

Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and the Non-Religious