Quote:
Originally Posted by Dural_Levant
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So, a big problem here is that the meaning of the word, “agnostic” is often misunderstood. It comes from Greek and originally meant, “without knowledge” or “unknown”. When the word is used in a philosophical or religious philosophical context it’s used to establish an epistemological position. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the theory of knowledge. It asks what can and cannot be known.
The computer I am typing these words at, for example, is it real? Or, am I in the Matrix and just typing on a simulated computer in a VR environment? Meanwhile, my actual brain is in a jar connected to a real computer. The intellectually honest answer is, “Shit, I don’t know; there is no way to tell.”
In the real world, when applied to the question, “Is there a god?”, an agnostic would say, “I don’t know; there is no way to tell. I suppose it is a matter of faith.”
Faith as justification for belief isn’t really a thing in a world in which you can physically interact with gods and see manifestations of their power first-hand, on a daily basis. Their actual existence never comes into question, because you have objective evidence that holds up to scrutiny. Because of this, atheism, would also not be a thing.
The question then becomes, “Which god do I choose to follow or devote myself to, if any?”
Thus, I would argue that Verant’s use of the term “agnostic” was a poor choice when they originally set up their religion system. It would have been more appropriate to use a term like: “None”, “Non-Devoted” or “Follower of None.”
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Before you saw the Matrix though you wouldn't have asked yourself if you were living in the Matrix. Somebody very recently came along and implanted that new idea in your head which you're now repeating. But there was a time when you would not have thought about such things.
Is god existing a new idea like the Matrix is?
Let's imagine there are no atheists/christians/hollywood in the world.
You look up at the moon. What do you say?
"God doesn't exist"?
"Am I living in the Matrix?"
"Who created that?"