Some words are commonly used in ways that aren't consistent with their actual meanings. For example, it's common for people to think this is a continuum:
Theist --> Agnostic --> Atheist
This isn't the case. So, I'm going to take a moment here and lay it out:
- Theist: Actively believes in a god or gods.
- Atheist: Does not actively believe in a god or gods. Indifferent to gods.
- Antitheist: Actively believes there are no gods and also believes that belief in gods is harmful to individuals, politics, and/or cultures.
The continuum, then, is:
Theist --> Atheist --> Antitheist
What about Agnostic?
This is a different continuum.
- Gnostic: Believes we can know God (or gods).
- Agnostic: Does not believe we can know God (or gods).
So:
Gnostic --> Agnostic
Therefore, it is possible to be an "atheist agnostic". Such a person does not believe we can know God, and does not actively believe in any god(s).
Where am I on these continua?
Exploring.
Where are you?
