Can Someone be Simply "An Agnostic?"

[FatAndFaithless]

You're right as to the definition of "agnostic". I think people who say "I'm agnostic" misunderstand the meaning of "atheism" - they think saying "I'm atheist" means "I know god doesn't exist".

Either that, or like my girlfriend, she knows better, but simply doesn't like the stigma that goes along with the word "atheist", and just picks a word that her parents are less likely to be hostile to.

Lastly, this pic:

I can totally understand the fact that someone might want to use 'agnostic' in place of 'atheist' to avoid social or familial tension, I just wish more people would use the word atheist without discomfort...though I suppose that's a bigger indication of the societal bias against atheists.