AGNOSTIC? Answer the following. You might change your mind!

No, they are commited to what the word means now. Language and words evolve through time, and even usage changes. The lexicon/slang of today is very different even than that of the 90's

Originally posted by WrathfulDwarf
People have existed before the Dictionary was even compile....A dictionary is just a book that defines a word. It is not intended to provide insight or critical thinking

...Go search the word "Thinker" and tell me if WD is included in definition.

Catching my drift?

Yeah...sorta. But I was hoping this thread would rev up the critical thinking. I was wondering how people committed themselves to the meaning of a word. Which then changed in time, maybe because people were trying to understand the word better, or maybe they didn't believe the original meaning. Or maybe they wanted to add to the meaning because they understood that they did not know everything about the word.
They doubting knowledge. What is the meaning of the word 'yes'?

yes /yɛs/ adverb, noun, plural yes·es, verb, yessed, yes·sing, interjection
–adverb
1. (used to express affirmation or assent or to mark the addition of something emphasizing and amplifying a previous statement): Do you want that? Yes, I do.

I think this thread should change into dictionary wars, with someone finding an ambiguous word and someone else posting a Dictionary definition contrary to the specified meaning.

Originally posted by Peach
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheist

Main Entry:
athe·ist Listen to the pronunciation of atheist
Pronunciation:
\ˈā-thē-ist\
Function:
noun
Date:
1551

: one who believes that there is no deity

I see no overlap here at all.

Yup. Words can change over time. Languages aren't something that's set in stone.

The Oxford dictionary...check this. It believes there is only ONE definition for the two; the non-belief in the existence of God.

Yes, language does change over hundreds of years. 'Nay' meant 'no'. See that's why I start to question, on a much smaller scale, whether we can commit to one meaningful answer to a simple question and understand the workings behind the answers.

I think we've blossomed into meanings and, as WrathFull brought up, the dictionaries. YES, I did mention 'we', including myself. Because I have yet to get an answer that's irrefutable to the original question. And then prove that we can completely understand that we cannot really commit to any one side to the question.

That's what's baffled me.

Originally posted by Jbill311
...I think this thread should change into dictionary wars, with someone finding an ambiguous word and someone else posting a Dictionary definition contrary to the specified meaning.

😄

As long as we're having some sort of intellectual fun huh? cheers

The thing I like about the Agnostic way of thinking, is that people aren't Agnostic just because they think it's "cool". Most, pre-teen/morons say they're Wiccan, Satanic or Athiest just because they think it's "bad ass" or they dislike the logic of God.

I have to go work at the studio early...bed-time. I really do hope to see you all on her soon. Love to talk to you again Peach. Hopefully you'll all tackle some people. 2guns

🙂
AG

Originally posted by Scythe
The thing I like about the Agnostic way of thinking, is that people aren't Agnostic just because they think it's "cool". Most, pre-teen/morons say they're Wiccan, Satanic or Athiest just because they think it's "bad ass" or they dislike the logic of God.

Originally posted by Scythe
The thing I like about the Agnostic way of thinking, is that people aren't Agnostic just because they think it's "cool". Most, pre-teen/morons say they're Wiccan, Satanic or Athiest just because they think it's "bad ass" or they dislike the logic of God.

Or because it's simply the standpoint that makes the most sense to them.

Originally posted by Peach
Or because it's simply the standpoint that makes the most sense to them.

If that were true, than that would be nice. Most teenaged Wiccan gals that I know, I ask them why they're Wiccan, and they don't know shit about the religion's teaching, they just reply with: "Cuz being witches is bad-f*ckin-ass! I'm gonna put a spell on my ex-bf!"

Originally posted by Scythe
If that were true, than that would be nice. Most teenaged Wiccan gals that I know, I ask them why they're Wiccan, and they don't know shit about the religion's teaching, they just reply with: "Cuz being witches is bad-f*ckin-ass! I'm gonna put a spell on my ex-bf!"

Well, there's also a big difference between Wicca (which is about 50 years old) and actual paganism (which is a catch-all term for a whole ton of different religions/beliefs).

Originally posted by Peach
Well, there's also a big difference between Wicca (which is about 50 years old) and actual paganism (which is a catch-all term for a whole ton of different religions/beliefs).

I know, and the people who think they are Wiccan have no knowledge of this. I don't really have a religion myself, I was raised catholic but little by little sorta doubt the existance of a higher entity, so if one is to label me, which I dislike, I'd probably fit in the Athiest group.

Originally posted by Scythe
I know, and the people who think they are Wiccan have no knowledge of this. I don't really have a religion myself, I was raised catholic but little by little sorta doubt the existance of a higher entity, so if one is to label me, which I dislike, I'd probably fit in the Athiest group.

I was also raised Catholic 😛 I realised when I was like...10 that I didn't believe in any of the stuff I was being taught in church and all that. I've got some interesting spiritual leanings though, even though I don't believe in any sort of higher power or any of that.

I'm agnostic, but probably edging towards atheist. I don't believe we can ever fully rule out the existence of god, nor do I think we should for those who have faith its very important to them. But I don't think we'll ever prove that god does exist, and you can throw any number of holy books at me you want...on that I'm not going to change.

I say that its a maybe either way, I guess Agnostic makes most sense to me Catholic Mother, atheist Father. I sit on the line...mostly.

On the Wicca thing, yeah I agree, had an ex-gf who was a "White Witch" and sung in the local church choir. Flitted from religion to religion. Most of my friends of that age were like that, now we're all in our 20's I can find like one genuine pagan, and even then shes one of the younger ones.

Originally posted by Peach
I was also raised Catholic 😛 I realised when I was like...10 that I didn't believe in any of the stuff I was being taught in church and all that. I've got some interesting spiritual leanings though, even though I don't believe in any sort of higher power or any of that.

Mostly the same here, yeah. It's respectable learning, what they teach growing up Catholic, but it wasn't for me.

Originally posted by agphoenix
[b]AGNOSTIC: 'somebody who doubts that a question has one correct answer or that something can be completely understood' ~ Encarta Dictionary

Answer the following, very simple question with only a 'yes' or 'no':

Are you lying?

Bet you won't think there's 'one correct answer' and you sure as Hell will think it's not 'something...[that]...can be completely understood'.

Think you're an Agnostic?! shocking [/B]

I'll answer yours if you answer mine.

Do you...,YAHOOOO?

What an appalling thread.

The generally accepted use of the word applies to spiritual knowledge, but obviously it can be used in other ways, it then relates to that context, though. There is not one definition for all contexts.

Do you Ragu?

As in the pasta sauce?

I hate agnostics.