Agnostics

[Excited Penguin]

This is what a bad education produces.

[account_inactive]

This is what a bad education produces.

[Banjo]

I became an atheist at 4 years old. Ever since gods have been simple characters in stories. I see no reason to change my mind. That was 48 years ago.

When people ask I say "Atheist". Living in Australia that is quite normal. Agnosticism never crosses my mind.

There could be some alien like Q from star trek out there. I don't know. If so they seem to have no interest in us.

[bennyboy]

This is what a bad education produces.

You forgot to link your photo. :p

[Thumpalumpacus]

I have no problem saying "I don't know." I also have no problem saying "I don't believe." I don't see a problem with holding those two views on the same topic concurrently.

[Excited Penguin]

I have no problem saying "I don't know." I also have no problem saying "I don't believe." I don't see a problem with holding those two views on the same topic concurrently.

Neither do I. I do see a problem with holding only one at a time, though.

[bennyboy]

I have no problem saying "I don't know." I also have no problem saying "I don't believe." I don't see a problem with holding those two views on the same topic concurrently.

Well, I've introduced the idea of conditional belief-- a belief that is ambiguous until a knowledge requirement is resolved.  Do you accept this as a valid basis for a pure agnostic position?

[Athene]

I'd have to say I agree with benny on this matter...yikes!..Yowsa!
I think it's quite possible that a person could be uncertain as to whether he or she actually believes or not.

[wiploc]

... the possibility of a conditional belief-- If A, then B; if not A, then not B.  For example, if the universe is a created thing, I'd be willing to call whatever philosophical principle or creative impetus created it "God."  Since I cannot know whether the universe is a created thing, I have a belief state of AnotA.

Your example does not support your claim.  I assume that we can all stipulate to conditional beliefs. 

• If you are taller than me, then I am shorter than you, but if you are not taller than me then I am not shorter than you.
  

That doesn't prove, or tend to prove, that people can believe both A and not-A. 

Note that I'm not taking a position on your claim.  I'm just pointing out that your example doesn't support your claim.

[bennyboy]

In your example, the two are mutually contingent, by definition. In my example, I'm lacking information which doesn't necessarily PROVE to anyone else that God is real, but represents the knowledge I personally would need to resolve a question about my belief.

If I asked you if you thought Schrodinger's cat was alive, how would you answer?