Audiobook ponders the question of why we suffer May 18, 2008
Author Bart D. Ehrman says that he was once "born again" but now is "dead again", meaning that he turned from deep faith to agnosticism. He says that he stopped believing years ago, yet he (surprisingly) quotes the Bible over and over in his zeal to back up his opinions. (Westerly Sun, RI)
John Turley-Ewart: Ontario shouldn't ditch the Lord's Prayer May 8, 2008
Conclusions reached include: "God exists and this can be proven"; "God exists, but this cannot be proven or disproven" (theism in both cases); "God does not exist" (strong atheism); "God almost certainly does not exist"[11] (de facto atheism); and "no one knows whether God exists" (agnosticism). There are numerous variations on these positions. (National Post)
Birds are never pregnant May 3, 2008
Ramsey abandoned his agnosticism, and embraced Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for his sins and rose from the dead. He wrote: The Bearing of Recent Discoveries on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Five Great Cigars and Why I Smoke Them Apr 22, 2008
One of them suggested it was cowardly to remain stuck in a mode of agnosticism ... One of them suggested it was cowardly to remain stuck in a mode of agnosticism. (Townhall.com)
From Muslim to Christian Apr 21, 2008
" For Sophia and Ziya, a lot of the prejudice they faced seemed to be borne out of cultural ideas, which are particularly ingrained in the South Asian community relating to notions of family honour. Aghajari's death sentence sparked protests and a review But it's too easy to say this is just a cultural problem. Dig a little deeper and you find that there is a theological argument which advocates the death penalty for apostates, which has serious implications for British society. Last week,... (BBC News -- UK)
Fostering community in nontheism Apr 19, 2008
The oxymoron hints at its own explanation: The society and Ethical Culture apply a central benefit and salient trait of religion - community - to agnosticism, atheism, humanism, secularism, and whatever other "isms" huddle under the umbrella of nontheism. "There are some people in here who are worth knowing. I get a chance to talk to them," said Jack Osgood, an 82-year-old former member, explaining why he still attends talks like Federman's on occasion. (Boston Globe)
The future for Catholic schools Apr 19, 2008
Regarding the religious aspect of the kid s education, they study comparative religion as well as agnosticism. Our kids are free thinkers and I m not sure they actually believe that the world was magicked into existence by an invisible sky pixie. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Blogosphere: Safe haven for agnostics, atheists Apr 17, 2008
A Jakarta-based journalist, who asked for anonymity, said she decided to conceal her agnosticism toward the question of God because she did not want to hurt her family. At home, she admitted, she pretended to be a good believer. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
SC: Is Sethu a place of worship? Apr 16, 2008
Swamy, however, stood his ground, suggesting that the agnosticism of judges cannot trump the faith of "millions". "It is not a question of the individual perception and belief of Lordships. It is a question of the belief of 00004000 millions of people. This court cannot sanction breaking of Ram Sethu." The Bench seemed reluctant to get into emotive waters and swiftly clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. (Times of India)
Debate fails to settle question of God's existence Apr 15, 2008
Agnosticism is not a starting point it would have to be an achievement, Foley said. I haven t been moved that far. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art Apr 14, 2008
But this perpetual state of agnosticism, this lack of commitment, must surely be corrosive. Those who are able to locate, and to explore intelligently, a system of belief, be that religious or political, are surely making a valuable contribution to our times. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
MISSING IN ACTION The Ten Commandments have been missing from the Foundations of American Law and Government display in the Grayson County Courthouse since a temporary injunction was ordered in 2002. Apr 10, 2008
I Agree TOTALLY wrote on Apr 9, 2008 3:00 PM:" Religion is a personal and individual thing, keep your religion in your personal places like your homes, churches, etc and in your heart - dont force your beliefs on others whether the belief is a majority belief or not. I commend the US judge for doing the right thing as one sole majority religion does not belong having things in public buildings being shoved down other people's throats and no representation of all the others - and agnosticism and... (Leitchfield Grayson County, KY)
The Prisoner Apr 7, 2008
Over the course of the next few years I would devolve from agnosticism to hardened atheism. I became a disciple of B.F. Skinner. (Townhall.com)
Faiths accepting global warming Apr 6, 2008
By JOHN HART - Your Turn - 03/23/08. A few years ago, scientists testified confidently before Congress that there was no universally accepted scientific proof linking cigarette smoke and lung cancer. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Minding the gap: exploration in the Holy Land Mar 29, 2008
It has become Zions captive, an objectified pawn, broken for statehood; between Ben Gurions secular state and Ezequiels land of milk and honey now lies a gap of agnosticism a gap Israel seems unable to bridge ... In 1880, a New York Times columnist, his name long-forgotten, grappled with Yales emergent agnosticism ... Even when looked at from the most favorable side, he wrote, the present religious position of our collegiate institutions [namely Yale and Harvard] is serious in the... (Yale Herald, CT)
William F. Buckley Jr. Dies At 82 Feb 28, 2008
Since 1951, when he published his first book, "God and Man at Yale" a scathing indictment of the agnosticism and socialist leanings he found as a student at Yale Buckley was a lively figure in American intellectual life, positioning himself as a conservative sea wall against what he considered an infectious liberalism eroding the national character. From that base, the tireless and glib Buckley launched a remarkable life trajectory founding National Review, the biweekly conservative bible,... (FOX61, CT)
Yes, Romney, thereis a Sanity Clause Feb 5, 2008
This worldliness ultimately led the Puritans to Unitarianism, a sort of pseudo-Judaizing that ends up in agnosticism - for example, Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalists. The trouble is that people don't want to be an "almost chosen people", pilgrims on this Earth hoping for the Kingdom of Heaven. (Asia Times Online)
Opinion: Genocide prevention: 60 years of abject failure Jan 30, 2008
Only a hopelessly constrained reading of the Genocide Convention, or a refusal to look at the systematic nature of ongoing ethnic destruction, can sustain diffidence or agnosticism. The National Islamic Front regime in Khartoum continues to commit all the genocidal acts enumerated in Article 2 of the Convention, even if one such act now has particular prominence: "Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part." We... (Christian Science Monitor)
Christians put issue ahead of personal debt, content of movies, TV, homosexual agenda Jan 22, 2008
Democratic candidates will have to reach even further, he said, because one out of five in the Democratic Party professes a belief in atheism or agnosticism. "In terms of faith perspectives, each of these different tribes is becoming more and more difficult to coalesce," he said. (WorldNetDaily)
What is atheism? Jan 11, 2008
gaucho mom wrote on Jan 9, 2008 5:19 PM:" Jeff: I think you are defining agnosticism. Atheists believe there is no god. ". Alan G. wrote on Jan 9, 2008 5:38 PM:" My opinion differs slightly from Jeff's in that I believe an atheist is absolutely sure, beyond a doubt that there is no higher power or deity. Agnostics are open to the possibility that a higher power exists, but want absolute proof that they can see and verify. I fall a little closer into the agnostic territory, but find it's easier... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
A Return To Horror Dec 28, 2007
Agnosticism has killed the horror genre in the United States. Take away the afterlife, take away a belief in the spirit world, and horror becomes about nothing but the fear of death and stories about sadism. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Joe Orso: A Christmas of divided emotions Dec 20, 2007
Christian wrote on Dec 19, 2007 12:16 PM:" Freedom of choice to belive or not. Is that even true anymore? I DO choose to belive. Unfortunately, any mere mention of Christian beliefs or customs are scrubbed from anything public. Meanwhile, it's okay to mention any other 'religion.' Also, attempting to eradicate ALL 'religion' still promotes atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, secular humanism, or whatever one claims on any given day. Still religion. ". Michael Welch wrote on Dec 19, 2007 12:08 PM:"... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
8 comments Dec 15, 2007
Dec 14, 2007 @ 11:29 AMAs one who had a long journey coming back to the Lord I had some flirtations with agnosticism and atheism and I can understand our misguided fellows. It was only by His grace that I came back home. (Human Events Online)
And Everybody Hates the Atheists Dec 12, 2007
Like other founders who leaned toward deism or agnosticism, Adams thought religion was important not because it was true but because it helped keep the common people in line ... Like other founders who leaned toward deism or agnosticism, Adams thought religion was important not because it was true but because it helped keep the common people in line. (Townhall.com)
Investing in health; God and country; Fixing the mortgage crisis Dec 12, 2007
Although American politicians are free to end speeches with "God Bless America," they are not free to speak of atheism, agnosticism or acknowledge any religious ambivalence. Nor are they free to dwell on their heartfelt Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish or Mormon beliefs if they have any hope of being elected on national level. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
ANN McFEATTERS: Romney's speech was possibly his most important Dec 7, 2007
He disdained agnosticism and atheism. Any believer in religious freedom who has knelt to God has a "friend and ally in me," he pledged. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Murdoch purchases 'spiritual' website Dec 5, 2007
The multi-faith site targets devotees - as well as the merely curious - across dozens of persuasions, from agnosticism and African religions to Zoroastrianism. Its offerings include news, blogs, commentary, social networking, video and even a "soul matching" service to bring soul mates together spiritually, and presumably romantically. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Simon Jenkins Dec 5, 2007
A previous assertion that Iran is "determined to develop nuclear weapons" becomes studied agnosticism. "We judge with high confidence that in fall 2003 Tehran halted its nuclear weapons programme" - and has not restarted it. (Guardian Unlimited)
Celibacy Blues Dec 4, 2007
binford, your self-description defines your beliefs as Agnosticism, it s no surprise that you d have conflicts with Christians. Live and let live, for sure, but Christians and Agnostics are quite diametrically opposed in their belief systems. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
U.S. finds Iran halted its nuclear arms effort in 2003 Dec 4, 2007
The report's agnosticism about Iran's nuclear intentions represents a very different tone than had been struck by President George W. Bush, and by Vice President Dick Cheney, who warned in a speech in October that if Iran "stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences.". The estimate does not say when intelligence agencies learned that the arms program had been halted, but officials said new information obtained from covert sources over the... (International Herald Tribune)
Exclusive: a 'Chuck Norris disapproval' for agnostic, atheistic, secular movie Dec 3, 2007
The reasons are it will very subtly push agnosticism, atheism, secularism and anti-Christian thoughts upon youthful minds and hearts. There is hot debate right now about this movie all over the Internet. (WorldNetDaily)
Off the Clock Nov 24, 2007
The Christian ideals upon which this nation was founded faces massive attacks by atheism, agnosticism, all encouraged by victims of lethargy who seem to care not at all. It is time that we assemble the armies of the positives not to respond in like manner but by applying our own tools of constructive ideals rather than weapons of destruction. (Carthage Press, MO)
U.S. control of my Food Network? That's appalling Nov 21, 2007
The chap in charge of the CRTC actually admitted some agnosticism about the proposed takeover of Alliance Atlantis by CanWest. Given the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's history of blithe acceptance of all manner of grand promises by Canadian commercial broadcasters, the mind is suitably boggled by this development. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
The Priest, Conan OBrien and Fellinis La Dolce Vita Nov 9, 2007
He also described his journey from agnosticism to Catholicism, a journey in which watching the film La Dolce Vita was a seminal moment ... In a message for Harvard classmates, a priest who has been arrested for stalking the talk-show host described his path from agnosticism to Roman Catholicism. (New York Times)
Father Jonathan: Atheism — New Civil Rights... Nov 6, 2007
The movement is not agnosticism. Nor is it traditional atheism. (Fox News)
Hitchens provides for the 'Portable Atheist' Nov 6, 2007
And sooner or later, one must take a position on agnosticism. This word has not been with us for very long it was coined by the great Thomas Huxley, one of Darwin's stalwart defenders in the original argument over natural selection. (USA Today -- Life)
Q&A with Dinesh DSouza (Part I) Oct 25, 2007
I want to show Christians and religious believers that theism makes vastly more sense of the world and of our lives than agnosticism or atheism ... I want to show Christians and religious believers that theism makes vastly more sense of the world and of our lives than agnosticism or atheism. (Townhall.com)
Books: Book Review: The Abstinence Teacher Oct 18, 2007
The exchanges between Tim and Ruth about religion and its place in school tend to devolve into fairly standard-issue debates about church and state, faith and agnosticism. But happily, the author keeps such passages to a minimum, focusing instead on Tim and Ruth's daily lives in suburbia: a place defined by soccer games and trips to strip malls and middle-aged malaise, a place that Perrotta, with this novel and "Little Children," is increasingly mapping as his own. (International Herald Tribune)
* Scientists armed for planet hunt Oct 13, 2007
"Put it like this. If we don't find anything, I'll have to rethink my agnosticism." This story has been viewed 151 times. Advertising. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Ballmer Talks Advertising, SAAS Oct 11, 2007
Meanwhile, Ballmer said he believes the move to more Web-based applications is not due to what he referred to as operating system agnosticism. "I think the things people are moving to is not from OS agnosticism; they want an easy install," he said. (eWeek)
* John Tkacik on Taiwan: Taiwan's status remains `unsettled' Sep 30, 2007
" Aside from that one assertion of agnosticism, the matter had been avoided assiduously for 34 years. Until now. In June, a mid-level State Department official began answering mail from citizens concerned about Taiwan with the explanation that: "Although the United States recognizes the PRC Government as the sole legal government of China, we have not formally recognized Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. In fact, we have not made any determination as to Taiwan's political status. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Amazon Challenges iTunes' Might Sep 28, 2007
The combination of platform agnosticism and the lack of DRM, said analysts, position Amazon favorably if not immediately, then in the near future. Click here to read more about. (eWeek)
How religious do we want our presidential candidates to be? Sep 22, 2007
The speaker was actually Thomas Jefferson, whose tolerance of agnosticism would surely tank a campaign 225 enlightened years later. Religiosity is a requirement in a viable 2008 candidacy, right up there with being a natural-born citizen, and not being Dennis Kucinich. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Today's assignment: meaning of life Sep 22, 2007
If one is sincere about knowing what is so, it seems better to admit that there could be some truth in religion than to accept an unthinking assumption that atheism is truth or that agnosticism is wisdom. ROBERT O'HEARNEChelmsford. (Boston Globe -- Editorial)
Science Classroom Is Not The Place To Teach Intelligent Design Sep 14, 2007
Kids would soon learn that the study of science does not naturally lead to atheism or agnosticism. For many of the greatest minds in history the opposite is true. (Nebraska Statepaper)
Read More... Sep 14, 2007
For the book, Barker, co-president of the , has written a 19,000-word opus chronicling the atheism or agnosticism of 14 classical composers (including Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, and Verdi) and a dozen writers from the Great American Songbook (including Irving Berlin, the Gershwin Brothers, Stephen Sondheim, and Yip Harburg (best known for the lyrics for The Wizard of Oz)). Two of the shorter sections are presented here. (Disinformation)
ISSUES & IDEAS Sep 9, 2007
Guantanamo omnipresent in pop culture - 09/08/2007 - MiamiHerald (The Miami Herald)
John Humphrys: On the threat to 'Today' Sep 3, 2007
Humphrys told his uninvited visitors that he possesses a dozen Bibles and that he feels confident in drawing his own conclusions, having just completed a book on the validity of agnosticism, In God We Doubt: Confessions of a Failed Atheist. But as he walks into his kitchen to prepare some coffee, he appears a little flustered by his door-stepping. (Independent)
China's Secret Arms Dealings Aug 9, 2007
Lawless, revered in the Pentagon as a steely-eyed China skeptic, evinced less agnosticism to the FT, explaining that the country of origin was less important than who was facilitating the transfer. One might wonder why Beijing, as a matter of policy, would sell weapons to Iran for the clear purpose of killing American soldiers. (CBS News)
Mother practices 'spiritual parenting' Jun 30, 2007
The twin engines of her church and child slung her from agnosticism to the conviction that "we are all spiritual beings, having a physical experience.". The church influence began with the director of her program, who, though part of the noncredal Unitarian Universalists, embraced Christianity. (Boston Globe)
And The Nominees Are... Jun 19, 2007
Dr. Collins considers and rejects several positions along the spectrum from atheism to young-earth creationism -- including agnosticism and Intelligent Design. Instead, he proposes a new synthesis, a new way to think about an active, caring God who created humankind through evolutionary processes. (WNBC.com, NY)
ReadingHillaryRodham'shiddenthesis May 30, 2007
Alinsky's daughterMany authors on the long shelf of unsympathetic Clinton biographies have envisioned the thesis as evidence of Marxist or socialist views held by young Hillary or conversely as proof of her political agnosticism, a lack of any ideology besides a brutal willingness to attack opponents and accumulate power in the Alinsky style. David Brock, in his 1996 biography, "The Seduction of Hillary Rodham," called her "Alinsky's daughter.". (MSNBC -- Politics)
HP SOA strategy leans toward runtime governance May 25, 2007
In a Web conference announcing the strategy, Tom Hogan, senior vice president HP Software, championed his company's agnosticism ... In a Web conference announcing the strategy, Tom Hogan, senior vice president HP Software, championed his company's agnosticism. (Search Webservices)
Exclusive: Chuck Norris slams atheistic agenda May 21, 2007
"Agnosticism reserving judgment about divine purpose remains as defensible as ever, but atheism the confident denial of divine purpose becomes trickier. If you admit that we can't peer behind a curtain, how can you be sure there's nothing there?". a former senior staff writer for Scientific American and the Director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology, wrote a book titled, "The End of Science." In it he discusses the futility of men like Oxford's Dawkins,... (WorldNetDaily)
The root of all evil? May 21, 2007
They eschew the "cop-out option" of agnosticism. They proclaim the irrationality of faith, of the search for "meaning", for belief in a God, any God, for which, they argue, no evidence exists. (Sydney Morning Herald)
What would you say to Richard Dawkins? May 21, 2007
" If you REALLY believe this postmodern garbage, Narelle, show your sincerity by rejecting science based life saving medical treatment if you are unfortunate enough to ever be seriously ill. Posted by: Protea on May 21, 2007 10:33 AM Richard Dawkins voices the rational alternative to religion; a view that encourages us to shape our beliefs based on science and not by the beliefs of 'religious leaders' reading from mouldy old books. Posted by: PJW on May 21, 2007 10:33 AM Christianity is based on... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
The angel at my bedside Apr 17, 2007
Now in her early 30s, working as a medical social worker by day and volunteer at St Luke's Hospital by night, a recent convert (from agnosticism) to evangelical Christianity, restless, energetic, imbued with a sense of vocation, and still grieving for Tasma, Cicely was at a crossroads in her life. Most women her age were busy bringing up families. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Missing from the campaign: the world Apr 14, 2007
On the European question, both Royal or Sarkozy would translate a shift of generation into even greater agnosticism toward Europe. Only Bayrou could mark a return to a France more engaged in the European project. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
2007: a new space odyssey Mar 25, 2007
Yet despite his current free-form agnosticism, Boyle's films have continued to be haunted by the detritus of his religious background, from the worldly angels of the romantic fantasy A Life Less Ordinary (which owes a debt to Powell and Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death aka Stairway to Heaven) to the solidly earthy apparitions of saints who appear to the young hero of the underrated Millions. Other Boyle hits include 28 Days Later, a Garland-scripted zombie shocker set in a terrifying... (Guardian Unlimited)
Atheist Students At UNL Invite Questions Mar 21, 2007
In recent years, however, agnosticism has become more of a catchword for those with a belief in something undefined, where as "weak atheists" are those who don't believe in a higher power but accept the possibility of such. On the other hand, strong atheists typically don't adhere to a specific deity and feel confident that such a deity simply doesn't exist. (Nebraska Statepaper)
Committee reviews CBC mandate Mar 11, 2007
The act was written at a time when cable and satellite broadcasting were seen as a vast unknown, so the act was created with a certain built-in platform agnosticism. The act is specifically designed to be technology-neutral, said Richard Stursberg, the current head of CBC Television, but an official during the 1980s at the Department of Communications (now part of the Heritage Department), where he helped to draft the act. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Letters to the Editor Mar 9, 2007
" OK, let's do this one more time. Clinton was caught covering up a personal indiscretion that affected exactly four people, his wife, daughter, Monica Lewinsky and himself. There were no fatalities in this media holiday, just the kind of smut that is so-well loved in this country (See: TV). The Bush administration, as is now damnably clear, lied to the entire world that Saddam Hussein had sophisticated stores of weapons of mass destruction and was an imminent threat. This declaration has cost... (San Francisco Chronicle)
She's No Fundamentalist: Mar 6, 2007
The pathetic oversimplification, which describes skepticism, agnosticism, and atheism as equally "fundamentalist," is of no help here. And notice what happens when Newsweek takes up the cry: The enemy of fundamentalism is defined as someone on the fringe while, before you have had time to notice the sleight of hand, the aggrieved, self-pitying Muslim has become the uncontested tenant of the middle ground. (Slate)
Thomas develops Darwin project Feb 28, 2007
With his scientific discoveries leading him toward agnosticism, he was unable to find consolation in belief in an afterlife, but coped with his loss by plunging into his work. Thomas plans to have the movie ready for release in 2009, the bicentennial of Darwin's birth. (Variety)
EDITORIAL: Banishing conceit Feb 24, 2007
If honest agnosticism dilutes the value of these writings, one can use his own eyes to see that pride -ill-conceived and misdirected - is a part of most societal ills. How many wars could be averted if all parties swallowed a large dose of humility. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
