I was just thinking, if an agnostic is just an agnostic out o fear, what are they?
I mean, if someone says that they think that there might be a God, but there might not be, and they say it because they are afraid that there may really be a God that is goingto punish them for being a nonbeliever, what are they?
If they are truly afraid that there may be someone to punish them, doesn't that make them a theist? Yet, deep down they believe that there is no God. But it is the slight doubt that makes them say that there may be a God.
What does all of this mean?
I feel that they are theists by default, but I am wondering what others think about this....
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I would hope that it is more than just a fear of punishment that causes agnostics to be on the fence, just as I hope it's more than a fear of punishment that makes people atheistic, or even theistic. It doesn't strike me as healthy to believe in something based on fear - I've fallen into that habit myself too often in the past, and that kind of belief is ultimately unsatisfying, and causes harm to all involved. How heartbreaking it might be for something of such creative power and responsiblity as a G-d to find that it's very creation Fears it. It might be akin to what happens when our loving parents discover to their dismay we are afraid of them... hmm. okay. that's a wierd tangent. back to the question.
I'm sure there are agnostics who are on the fence for other reasons than a fear of punishment by god(s) who are hypothetical to them, but as for the types of agnostics you propose here - who at first say - no. no deities - Okay, Maybe... the type of people who say - maybe! Just in case! I'd agree. they're theists or deists or whatever by default.
But it strikes me as an unhealthy way to think. Surely it would be better for them to find their conviction, to find what they have faith in, be it natural law, cause and consequence, and/or an invisible puppeteer, etc...
I completely agree with you about people just saying that some people are agnostic out of fear. It is just like those who claim they are Christians, Jews, etc. just to save themselves. It's one of those things that they think will save them in the end but in reality won't because they don't fully believe in it.
I think we're only looking at one side of the coin here - we're focused on only one possible reason people would be on the fence on the existence of a divine presence - the attached notion of an afterlife. But there's more to believing in a spiritual aspect to life than what comes after life - and agnostics don't have to be afraid of death. here's some notions off the top of my head to be on the fence about G-d out of fear:
responsibility: the agnostic is not certain s/he's ready for the weight of knowing they're one of a chosen people - or that there is an omnipotent, omniescient presence that expects something of them. I've heard a few times, the saying that goes something like - it is not that we fear we are powerless - but that we have power beyond imagination - not that we are too small, but too great. That we squander our potential. Lord knows I've committed that mistake (squandering my potential) long enough and then some :-j.
bafflement: the old question, can an omnipotent god create a stone he could not lift. There's apparent contradictions to the existence of an omnipotent, omniescient entity with foreknowledge of (cough)EVERYTHING :-j. Perhaps the idea of believing the universe is in the hands of a paradox frightens them :-j.
freedom: if you're to believe in an omniescient being, the notion of free will gets tricky. more so if it's an omnipotent being it gets trickier. I can empathize with their discomfort, some days. Others, I consider how amazing all of reality is and I really want someone to thank for all of the miracles we see in every moment, for how intricate and beautiful this experience called life is and I can put to the side the worry that free will gets tricky when someone knows every move you're going to make ;-).
there's lots more where that came from :-}.
I think AUC's comments re fear-based belief are on target. I question, however, the theistic bias to his reflections on bafflement, commitment, and responsibility: Agnosticism can simply be a rational response to a lack of evidence in favor of one of two conflicting theses.
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