Atheism, Agnosticism, and Humanism
Atheism, Agnosticism and Humanism are three interrelated belief systems.
Agnosticism is not a religion or complete ethical system. It is simply a belief that we cannot prove the existence or the non-existence of deity. Many Agnostics believe that we cannot know anything about deity or deities at the present time, but that this could conceivably change in the future.
Atheism is also not a religion or a complete ethical system. It is simply the lack of a belief that deity, in the form of one or more supernatural gods or goddesses exists.
Humanism is a philosophy which, in most cases, embraces Agnosticism or Atheistic belief about the non-existence of a deity. But it goes further to create ethical systems based upon reason and logic. It regards humanity as the measure of all things.
Many Agnostics, Atheists and Humanists have a negative attitude towards traditional formal religions. Some feel that reliance on an interaction with a mythical deity interferes with one's ability to interact with fellow humans. They assert that reliance on God's will reduce our motivation to solve our own problems, and thus ignore many social evils.
They believe religions promote the idea that perfectly natural feelings (such as anger, lust, pride, wanting things) are evil and sinful. This leads to feelings of guilt where none should be present. They feel traditional beliefs are often supported by fear of eternal punishment after death and by fear of retaliation by an angry and vengeful god during this lifetime. To live in fear is unhealthy.
According to a study by Barna Research, "roughly 7% of the adult population - approximately 14 million people - describe themselves as atheistic or agnostic. America has more atheists and agnostics than Mormons (by a 3 to 1 margin), Jews (by a 4 to 1 margin) or Muslims (by a 14 to 1 margin)." They further found "that atheists and agnostics are dominated by whites (71%), men (64%), adults under 35 (51%), and residents of the Northeast and West (56%).
In at least one area of life, they exhibit strong "family values". According to Barna Research, they have one of the lowest (if not the lowest) divorce rate of any religious group.
Atheism, Agnosticism and Humanism are three interrelated belief systems.
Agnosticism is not a religion or complete ethical system. It is simply a belief that we cannot prove the existence or the non-existence of deity. Many Agnostics believe that we cannot know anything about deity or deities at the present time, but that this could conceivably change in the future.
Atheism is also not a religion or a complete ethical system. It is simply the lack of a belief that deity, in the form of one or more supernatural gods or goddesses exists.
Humanism is a philosophy which, in most cases, embraces Agnosticism or Atheistic belief about the non-existence of a deity. But it goes further to create ethical systems based upon reason and logic. It regards humanity as the measure of all things.
Many Agnostics, Atheists and Humanists have a negative attitude towards traditional formal religions. Some feel that reliance on an interaction with a mythical deity interferes with one's ability to interact with fellow humans. They assert that reliance on God's will reduce our motivation to solve our own problems, and thus ignore many social evils.
They believe religions promote the idea that perfectly natural feelings (such as anger, lust, pride, wanting things) are evil and sinful. This leads to feelings of guilt where none should be present. They feel traditional beliefs are often supported by fear of eternal punishment after death and by fear of retaliation by an angry and vengeful god during this lifetime. To live in fear is unhealthy.
According to a study by Barna Research, "roughly 7% of the adult population - approximately 14 million people - describe themselves as atheistic or agnostic. America has more atheists and agnostics than Mormons (by a 3 to 1 margin), Jews (by a 4 to 1 margin) or Muslims (by a 14 to 1 margin)." They further found "that atheists and agnostics are dominated by whites (71%), men (64%), adults under 35 (51%), and residents of the Northeast and West (56%).
In at least one area of life, they exhibit strong "family values". According to Barna Research, they have one of the lowest (if not the lowest) divorce rate of any religious group.