I think originally "atheist" meant "belief no god exists". Agnosticism was that you don't know either way.
But most people take it to mean non-belief in god(s). Agnosticism is also not taken as only not knowing, but also used in the sense that you don't believe either way.
So we sort have a mess now.
Agnostic can mean non belief in whether God exists or not. It can be used in that sense. Or it can be used in the sense of agnostic as it's impossible to know, but I believe God doesn't exist. So you can be agnostic strong atheist as well as agnostic weak atheist. You can also be agnostic theist. Also agnostic theist/athiest can be used in the sense I don't know as opposed to stating it's impossible to know.
So agnosticism really has three meanings. Atheism has two meanings now. And theism has but one meaning.
Atheism use to be the word that was use to denote believing no god exists. But that has changed.
But most people take it to mean non-belief in god(s). Agnosticism is also not taken as only not knowing, but also used in the sense that you don't believe either way.
So we sort have a mess now.
Agnostic can mean non belief in whether God exists or not. It can be used in that sense. Or it can be used in the sense of agnostic as it's impossible to know, but I believe God doesn't exist. So you can be agnostic strong atheist as well as agnostic weak atheist. You can also be agnostic theist. Also agnostic theist/athiest can be used in the sense I don't know as opposed to stating it's impossible to know.
So agnosticism really has three meanings. Atheism has two meanings now. And theism has but one meaning.
Atheism use to be the word that was use to denote believing no god exists. But that has changed.
