Simple and Basic

According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, an agnostic is someone who "holds the view that any ultimate reality is unknown and probably unknowable." But I would like to think that this site does not limit even one person's perspective to that of the agnostic.

Tolstoy says that men can be divided into two lots. "They are freethinkers," he says, "or they are not-freethinkers. I am not speaking of the...agnostic English Freethinkers, but I am using the word in its simplest meaning. Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking; where it is absent, discussion is apt to become worse than useless. A man may be a Catholic, a Frenchman, or a capitalist, and yet be a freethinker; but if he puts his Catholicism, his patriotism, or his interest, above his reason, and will not give the latter free play where those subjects are touched, he is not a freethinker. His mind is in bondage."

Given this definition, I suppose Agnostics Anonymous could also be called Freethinkers Anonymous (though, one must admit, that just isn't as fun). In addition, Walter Kaufmann defines a heretic as a revolutionary, someone who dares to question the established principles of his time. "In this sense," he says, "heresy is the price of all originality and innovation." So Agnostics Anonymous could also be entitled Heretics Anonymous, but I am afraid that would frighten off the theists.

More than anything, I would like Agnostics Anonymous to be a place where people may doubt, discuss, and imagine without fear of persecution, condemnation, or alienation. Having myself grown up in a religious community, I can assure you that, while "civilized society" may claim not to condemn, alienate, or persecute anyone, feelings of alienation, condemnation, and persecution still occur and are quite rampant. Granted not many people are burnt at the stake or nailed to crucifixes for going against the grain, but pain is still inflicted. It is simply more psychological and subtle. I would like to think that Agnostics Anonymous might alleviate even a little of the burden of uncertainty we face together as mortal human beings.

 

Confession and Discussion

Confessions and discussions are the crux of Agnostics Anonymous. Without these, there would be nothing to explore. I not only think it a little humorous to allow people to confess that they have doubts as if they were attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but I think the anonymous confession may even be gratifying if not a little therapeutic.

Confessing is quite simple. A person doesn't need to have anything in particular to confess about. And, most certainly, those who confess do not need to meet the "requirements" of an agnostic. Confessions from anyone and everyone are welcome, in any form, as long as it is evident that the person has a splinter of intelligence and an interest in honesty. Without honesty, Agnostics Anonymous, like life itself, is useless.

To confess, click here.

Discussion, however, is where any headway -- if there is any headway to be made -- will be made. And honesty and tolerance are of the utmost importance when discussion delicate issues such as the existence of god and what-not. To quote Kaufmann once again, "Sooner or later, when some cherished belief or position begins to appear endangered, many people ask: why is honesty so important? They suddenly talk as if somebody else were committed to honesty much as they themselves are committed to something else. But the will to honesty is no man's prerogative. It is not a starting point that you can repudiate at will...Every discussion presuppose the will to be honest. The man who repudiates honesty repudiates discussion."

There are two ways to go about discussion on Agnostics Anonymous. The first is the Message Board, and you may go there by click here. The other is by subscribing to the E-Mail List. For more information, click here.

 

Hopefully Self-Explanatory

I would like to think that everything else on Agnostics Anonymous is fairly self-explanatory, but I realize it may not be. If you have any questions or concerns (or suggestions) regarding this page, please feel free to e-mail me at admin@theloosescrew.com.