Agnostic Quote by Jaroslav Pelikan
“An agnostic position is one that leaves open the question whether there exists a god or gods, professing to find such a question unanswered or unanswerable. For the atheist, the question has been answered, and in the negative.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, 1993
An agnostic stance keeps the existence of deities undecided, while atheism asserts a negative answer.
In simple terms: Agnosticism is uncertainty; atheism is certainty of none.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the difference between doubt and denial.
Themes
philosophy
theology
belief
skepticism
Mood
contemplative
neutral
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal worldview
- academic debate
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Epistemology
existentialism
faith
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer uncertainty over certainty?
- How does this affect moral decisions?
A Different Perspective
Agnosticism may be seen as non‑committal, limiting decisive action.
