Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism

Changed wording around agnosticism, Changed wording around Agnosticism

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	[[Category:Religion]]		[[Category:Religion]]
	== Steps ==		== Steps ==
−	#Understand what the terms ''theist'', ''atheist'', and ''agnostic'' mean. The theist believes in a god or gods while the atheist denies this belief and all others like it. An agnostic is one who believes that there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the existence of any deity. It is possible for one to be an agnostic theist if one believes that a god/gods exist but acknowledges an inability to prove it.  Likewise, one can be an agnostic atheist if one believes that there is no god/gods but also acknowledges a lack of sufficient evidence. In a strict philosophical sense, some scholars would argue that we are all agnostics about everything ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology epistemology]) because we can never truly know anything, including our own existence.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 1.jpg|center]]	+	#Understand what the terms ''theist'', ''atheist'', and ''agnostic'' mean. The theist believes in a god or gods while the atheist denies this belief and all others like it. An agnostic is one who believes that there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the existence of any deity. An agnostic will still always fall into the category of a theist or an atheist, also being an agnostic simply means they are admitting they don't know for sure that their viewpoint is true. In a strict philosophical sense, some scholars would argue that we are all agnostics about everything ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology epistemology]) because we can never truly know anything, including our own existence.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 1.jpg|center]]
	#Understand the difference between monotheism, polytheism, pantheism and omnism. Monotheists believe in only one God or divinity and reject any other form of deity. Polytheists believe in a set of many gods. Pantheists believe that everything in the universe is divine. Omnists (omnitheists) accept all gods and religions as equal. Of course, these  statements may over-simplify for the sake of being concise.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 2.jpg|center]]		#Understand the difference between monotheism, polytheism, pantheism and omnism. Monotheists believe in only one God or divinity and reject any other form of deity. Polytheists believe in a set of many gods. Pantheists believe that everything in the universe is divine. Omnists (omnitheists) accept all gods and religions as equal. Of course, these  statements may over-simplify for the sake of being concise.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 2.jpg|center]]
	# Notice that proponents of each ideology hold their beliefs strongly.  Theists may view atheists as immoral because they do not believe in a god/gods, while atheists may view theists as deluded for believing in a god/gods.  Both parties hold their beliefs strongly and necessarily make sacrifices by subscribing to one over the other.  Understanding this intensity will lead to more productive and personable debate that will further human understanding and community.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 3.jpg|center]]		# Notice that proponents of each ideology hold their beliefs strongly.  Theists may view atheists as immoral because they do not believe in a god/gods, while atheists may view theists as deluded for believing in a god/gods.  Both parties hold their beliefs strongly and necessarily make sacrifices by subscribing to one over the other.  Understanding this intensity will lead to more productive and personable debate that will further human understanding and community.[[Image:Understand the Difference Between Theism and Atheism Step 3.jpg|center]]