Atheism vs. Agnosticism

In this writing I’m going to share with you what I have learned from my experiences in talking with both atheists and agnostics and will attempt to present the differences I have come to understand between the two. If you ever have the opportunity to speak with many that proclaim either of them, you will quickly learn that there is a very distinct difference.

(You may ask why address this with you all and not keep this discussion only with the clergy. It is because of the great commission (go, teach, baptize, and teach), and I want you all to have an understanding when speaking to these folks.)

I will address Agnostics first.

The people that proclaim to be agnostic are far fewer than those that proclaim to be atheists. There is a very good and logical reason for this and I will try to explain it. Let me first say I believe that all those I have spoken with who claimed they were agnostic truly were or are.

You need to understand agnosticism is not stupidity, but a lack of knowledge or a state of confusion. As a matter of fact, I can think of just a very few that claimed to be agnostic that I could not have a calm, rational conversation with.

Most of them were open to learning and many expressed that they just didn’t know. It is okay to be ignorant, and it is the duty of the teacher to provide the needed information and understanding for educated decision-making.

I have had many agnostics become intrigued when presented with the facts of the amounts of documentation and scientific proof of Bible history. Some  have even made the decision to seek out knowledge of God on their own accord.

Through my experiences I have realized that there are some that have such a lack of knowledge they will call themselves something different than they are.

I can’t say why a person might become an agnostic; I can only speculate they were raised in a non-Christian home and had been secluded from those who would share the teachings of God’s Word with them.

There were a very few that simply said “I don’t want to know”. In summary, a true agnostic just doesn’t know or have an understanding of who God is.

The Bible story that explains the agnostic is the story of when Phillip was sent to the Gaza desert to meet the Ethiopian nobleman in Acts 8. The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah, and Phillip asked him if he understood what he was reading.

The Ethiopian replied how could he unless a teacher was to teach him! (paraphrasing) This explains the Agnostic.

The Atheist is a completely different situation. When a Christian encounters an atheist, they should be on guard and very prepared—it is extremely important to have good Bible knowledge in this situation.

The first thing that will become apparent is anger and aggressiveness from the atheist. If you pay attention and do not allow yourself to become personally offended from the verbal attacks, you will become clearly aware of a deep-seated hatred toward God.

A very important thing to remember when encountering an atheist is that they are not alone! I’ll give the Biblical reference to this later. An atheist has an unnatural hate and they will launch unprovoked verbal tirades, often laced with profanities.

Their behavior is often as if they disbelieve that you would even speak of God or your belief in Him. They will act as if they are appalled and that you have committed some grave social injustice that is entirely offensive.
The Christian will realize this immediate all-consuming anger is not natural. I explained it this way: their reaction will seem as foreign as someone becoming violent at the mention of a different automobile manufacturer than they prefer.

The Scripture that gives the perfect example of what I mean when I say this hatred is unnatural is in Mark 5:1-20. I am not going to go into a lengthy teaching of spiritual warfare in this writing, but believe me—when you encounter an atheist, you are indeed in the midst of spiritual warfare.

When the very mention of God results in a violent response, you are tormenting a demon or demons that are in fact possessing the person in question. Yes, that is exactly what I said and exactly what is happening! As Christians, we must be prepared and educated in the Word of God in these situations because we will be encountering demonic spirits!

We must begin our day putting on the Armor of God determined to be disciples of our Lord Jesus, always staying the course and fighting the good fight in all situations.

When you are living your life in biblical truth, you can expect spiritual warfare!

I might write on the spiritual realm in the future and will give as much detail as I feel led to share.

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple