E 310: Agnostics, Atheists and Area 51

You might have found the title of today’s show a-bit weird or awkward to follow Memorial Day, but if you stick around I think it will all make sense in the end.

I think this message was inspired by God, so I reached out to Mark and asked “what’s the difference between agnostics and atheists”, while holding back my real question.

Agnostic Definition:

: an agnostic quality, state, or attitude:

: the view that any ultimate reality (such as a deity) is unknown and probably unknowable : a philosophical or religious position characterized by uncertainty about the existence of a god or any gods.

Atheism Definition:

 : a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

 : a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods

Our Google AI question:

What's the differences between agnostics and atheists?

The core difference is that atheism is a matter of belief (not believing a god exists), while agnosticism is a matter of knowledge (believing the existence of a god is currently unknown or inherently unknowable). 

Breaking Down the Concepts

• Atheist: Someone who does not believe in the existence of a deity or gods. An atheist can either be someone who actively believes no gods exist, or simply someone who lacks a belief in gods. 
• Agnostic: Someone who believes it is impossible to know whether a higher power exists. They conclude that the ultimate truth is currently unknown or cannot be known by humans, and therefore they neither fully believe nor disbelieve.

It’s sounds as though regardless of what you believe or don’t believe we all share one thing in common….FAITH in what we believe or don’t believe.

So let’s talk about Faith for a minute.  According to the Bible, FAITH IS the substance of things HOPED FOR; it is the evidence of things UNSEEN.  Hebrews 11:1

Key Concepts in the Definition

• Confidence/Substance: Faith provides a solid foundation for future hopes. It treats promised things as already real.
• Assurance/Evidence: Faith acts as conviction regarding invisible realities. It trusts in what the physical senses cannot perceive.
• Let's bake a cake analogy

This verse introduces Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," which lists biblical figures who acted strictly on their trust in God.

In addition to the Hall of Faith there is more recent proof that God existed and exists today.

Universes Existence 

What divides good and evil; light and dark; who drew the line between these polar forces?

What defined or established the many religions pursued around the world?

As different as they are, why are we all seeking truth and understanding?  What drives us all to seek a higher understanding? 

The cooper scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls

The shroud of Tureen

The lives martyred for such a belief.

We are not against either belief or non-belief.  We would simply encourage seekers of truth to latch onto something that encourages, inspires and feeds not only your soul but those around you that could benefit from a committed walk of faith, hope and passion.

Musical Guest:  Shane and Shane: We've Fighting a Battle