The Atheist Experience 764 with Matt Dillahunty and Jerry DeWitt

The Atheist Experience 764 for June 3, 2012 with Matt Dillahunty and Jerry DeWitt of Recovering from Religion.
SHOW TIME-STAMPS
00:46- Intro & Announcements - Matt Dillahunty
01:36- Jerry DeWitt on The Clergy Project
09:28- Ida (atheist): dealing with negativity from theists, bullying in schools
24:22- Robert: asks if atheism isn't as dogmatic as religion, isn't agnosticism the more logical way of thinking
33:36- Simon (atheist): logical absolutes and the transcendental argument for God
36:19- Ron (atheist): feeling anger towards Christians, religion plays on fear
46:30- Grant (atheist): atheists having a moral duty to protect the environment
52:46- Jonathan: presuppositional apologetics, Sye Ten Bruggencate
56:46- John: unintelligible due to bad audio
More info about Jerry DeWitt, executive director of Recovering from Religion:
► www.recoveringf...
You can read more about this episode on the Atheist Experience blog:
► freethoughtblog...
WHAT IS THE ATHEIST EXPERIENCE?
The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
► www.atheist-com... (The Atheist Community of Austin)
► www.atheist-exp... (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
More shows and video clips can be found in the archive:
► www.atheist-exp...
DVDs of the Atheist Experience can be purchased via:
► www.atheist-com...
MUSIC CREDITS
Theme song: "Listen to Reason," written and performed by Bryan Steeksma.
► / bryansteeksma
► www.myspace.com...
NOTES
TheAtheistExperience is a fan appreciation channel on KZbin.
"The Atheist Experience" is a registered trademark of the ACA.
Creative Commons license: BY, NC, SA
► creativecommons...

[@PaintingOfTheMind]

Now that I think back to all the times I was in Church, I realize just how delusional I was. Whenever they asked me if I felt God and Jesus, I never felt anything, until I told them yes, and they praised him in my name, then I felt warmth. I convinced myself that the feeling I get when people are happy with me, with God. I still look back at my time in church as good, because I had fun, I was fond of it. But that was because I was delusional and I wanted to fit in. Thank you guys, I'm stronger.

[@rachelmckaughanable]

Jerry DeWitt's FB link brought me here. I've got a lot of episodes to catch up on! Mostly recovered brainwashed JW. I love having community though. Yay fellow atheists!

[@ptanyuh]

Any JW videos to recommend? My colleague is one.... and it makes me so very, very sad realizing all the things in life he is missing out on for a delusion :( I'm fascinated by JW, but cannot fathom how someone can believe in magic at all, let alone to this extreme. They're a cult, I am convinced, and use a lot of the same tactics as Scientologists.

[@krisaaron5771]

Fascinating information from the former pastor about the emotional trauma involved in leaving the church and how it has such a powerful negative impact on the family. I never considered the complications and financial struggles that would come from "losing faith in god". This is a magnificent show; it's taught me so much about being an atheist and discussing belief (or a lack thereof) with people who still follow biblical teachings. Many, many thanks!!

[@GeneralZod99]

For just a split second, I could have SWORN it was Kevin Smith sitting next to Matt.

[@happyninja42]

Yeah that comparison has been made several times xD

[@bythewaygamingunlimited4664]

waiting for jay to run in and say'mutherfuckin religion"

[@larjkok1184]

I thought it was Will Smith.

[@Harperlarp]

I feel sorry for American atheists. They're brought up in a massively religious country and the fact that simply denying belief in ridiculous claims can cause you to lose friends, family, or even your job is flabberghasting to me, it really is. Over here in England if someone says they're an atheist literally no-one bats an eye lid. You have my sympathy American atheists!

[@PRHILL9696]

It sucks trust me

[@eljesperado]

I was raised in an abusive fundamentalist household but have been an atheist for my adult life. I never forced my beliefs on my son, even allowing him to attend church with my mother, just so he would have the knowledge to base his disbelief in god. At age 4, he did tell grandma, "no one even knows if god exists or not!" He is now almost 14 & confirmed tonight he is a skeptical, free thinker & doesn't believe in things without evidence. I hope religion fades away in a generation or two...

[@Ghostwriter78]

Jerry just spoke to our Humanist group last night. This guy is amazing, what an inspiration!

[@IgorMikeshin]

apparently, I'm so lucky growing up in the community where it's not a big deal, whether you believe or not

[@soapywater]

I was seeing a different video and thought 'This Jerry DeWitt guy is awesome, he should join Matt's show', then here he is. Aww yeah!

[@The.Intruder]

You mean your prayers were answered? 😁

[@ossenstaartsoep]

Pillarisation (verzuiling in Dutch) is the politico-denominational segregation of a society. These societies were (and in some areas, still are) "vertically" divided into several segments or "pillars" (zuilen, singular: zuil) according to different religions or ideologies. These pillars all had their own social institutions: their own newspapers, broadcasting organisations, political parties, trade unions and farmers' associations, banks, schools, hospitals, universities, scouting organisations and sports clubs. Some companies even hired only personnel of a specific religion or ideology. This led to a situation where many people had no personal contact with people from another pillar. In my country, we ended this madness after the second world war. Time for the US to pick up the pace and catch up with the modern world. Any effort made towards this goal is appreciated, thank you ACA.

[@1stclassninjasoup]

Religion can be a hard thing to overcome.As a child I was brought up to believe everything I was told in church.It's hard to fight for your mind.This is the best one I've seen so far.These men are doing a great thing.

[@andrewjoffe2871]

First time listening to Jerry DeWitt after hearing about him for so long. Respect!

[@GriLtCheeZ]

Matt is awesome and this guest host is great!

[@MrAsilvestre858]

Great episode. Thank you.

[@avedic]

Only just found out about Jerry DeWitt...and am now looking up all I can about him. What a courageous and kind person he is. The Atheist movement needs people of ALL kinds. We need old-school "strident" atheists like Hitchens, scientists like Dawkins, cool calm & collected types like Sam Harris, and torchbearers of logic & reason like Dillahunty. AND...we need storytellers with the ability to emotionally connect with people and display the morality of humanism. DeWitt fills that role perfectly!

[@ianjrivers]

Welcome to reality, I'm a former Pentecostal too, 1979-86, agnostic for 20 odd years after, then an atheist for about three years now too. It takes a while to undo the psychological damage, the fear of hell, speaking in tongues as conformation, and 'the unpardonable sin' , you know what I'm talking about, you were preached this a lot of the time, just as I was. Nowadays it's good to be able to think without theological limits, I'm so much happier I can tell you .....!

[@mattbarton3757]

Just now saw this. I admire Matt & Jerry is an inspiration to me

[@kelteklew]

Love the sum up from Jerry at 26:57 about how he now see's his life/morals/beliefs. I'm stealing that!!!

[@treehuggerkyle]

One thing I don't miss about being a Christian (I opened my eyes about five years ago) is trying to reconcile the bible's morality with my own. A lot of Christians say "atheists have no values because they don't have a bible," but that's backwards. I'm a very moral person, and I sometimes found myself thinking "this is what I think is right, but the bible seems to say something else is right, what should I do?" I like that I can now stick to my own values.

[@rhagedorn]

Faith is a drug ... a drug that makes you addicted to authority ... the worst addiction of all.

[@HugeJohn51]

I really like Jerry DeWitt. It gives me hope for humanity to hear someone with his accent who has the courage and intelligence to question his belief system and then live it in the part of the world he lives in. Thank you Jerry for being brave and smart!

[@vashna3799]

It's tough being an atheist in america, being from england were our established church is so benign I would never had suffered from bullying at school in saying I'm an atheist. US atheists need to stick together now more than ever.

[@scotty]

Great show. It is like recovering from an addiction or a serious disease. I think separation from the flock did me a lot of good, getting away from the faithful so the delusion is not reenforced and there isn't the pressure to conform. I've known several ministers who felt trapped because of all that was mentioned in this show. They have resigned themselves to their situations with the idea that perhaps they can do some good from within the system. But they are playing a game. It's tragic.

[@allen4659]

Jerry DeWitt should do a weekly podcast. He is so intelligent, skilled and interesting. I love this guy. He is comical, kind and awesome speaker/orator. Love ya Jerry

[@BenjaminBattington]

Just gotta say that Jerry's sweetness is an absolutely perfect contrast to Matt's bluntness. Great dynamic.

[@Xenobiologist1]

I agree completely with Jerry at 52 minutes in. Atheism is not about more than just the one subject, rejecting the one claim, but it is a stepping stone into rational, reasonable thinking about all of these other issues. Not only that, but it's empowering in those regards because only through such an idea that really shows you how alone we are in things, can one begin to say "It's up to me to decide what's right, what's moral, and act on it, there's nobody there to tell me all of that."

[@UnoriginallyInclined]

I really loved this episode! It was so interesting to hear about priests who lost their faith. I wouldn't mind seeing Jerry DeWitt again, he's a great co-host :D

[@easleeps1]

"False sense of love." So true, very well put. Matt!

[@rimidalvetarak]

Just from my personal experience, the way I dealt with hostility from religious people in my area when they found out that I am an atheist (back when I was a teenager) is to adopt a mental attitude that "conflict is my element". Meaning instead of avoiding conflict, I set my mind to think in a legal manner and ready to defend myself. Of course, I don't go around telling people off about their religion, but only answer as the law allows it.

[@MsBfreezy]

One of the best episodes in the entire series

[@roybaines3181]

Jerry realised he was selling fake hope-ium.

[@PaintingOfTheMind]

I was dealing with loosing my religion years ago... My mother blames my ex boyfriend, but honestly, all he did was make me see that Organized religion sucks. So I started studying on my own, and I was hesitant even in the face of the gross paradoxes in the bible to admit that I didn't believe anymore. Then I started making stupid theories, and I was a deist for a while, a God got the ball rolling then slowly died. Then I found Matt, and this show. I owe a lot to this show.

[@billkeon880]

the best atheists are the former religious ones. I have always been an atheist since I was born, but you guys have been there and know what it takes to get the message across. Most of you have a good knowledge of the bible too. You all made the change and I admire you.

[@smhht]

It's great to hear these. It's also great to see how your literacy levels, in comparison to many religious adults, are superior. You'll live a fulfilled life if you make your own meaning. Live long and prosper.

[@giri.goyo_yt]

Classic episode for learning and teaching. Plus, I love spoken intelligence with a Southern accent!

[@wwelss]

I'm sorry I know this is completely irrelevant to everything, but Jerry's voice is absolutely amazing! I love the way he talks and I especially love his accent.....please continue :)

[@towolie]

glad to hear you broke free and i wish you good luck with your recovering.

[@roxee57]

It's indicative of how far we've come for TAE to now be airing shows like this. Kudos TAE for all the good work you do!

[@zacharyguzman1348]

I'm more than halfway done with Jerry's book. He's got a genuine kindness about him that I can't help but respond positively to. I'm glad I learned about him.

[@Frynge357]

I've watched it for months now. I agree... this one was an excellent idea. I personally found this one to be useful. ...for years I had to struggle with the idea that the religion I was leaving was wrong. so often thoughts turn to "what if they really were right?" "what if I'm evil?" "am I a bad person for not believing in God?" ...it was difficult. a resource like the Clergy Project should get some more exposure, I think. it could help a lot of people.

[@Varrik159]

Really like Jerry's input on this show. I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't heard of him before, but I intend to find more from him and hope he makes more appearances on tAE soon as he seems a fascinating and just downright nice guy!

[@delataylor]

It's so funny to me, Jerry DeWitt still has that tone and cadence of a preacher. At 12:25 when he says, "So, with the power of the internet," I just expected to hear, "So, with the power of the Holy Spirit." When he said "internet" it totally threw me off and made me laugh at myself.

[@richarddavis2815]

I am 16 I have been an atheist since I was 9 I ve also been open about it since I was 11 I have also had a better life since love your vids/show they give me more support in my belief so thank you for the extra support.

[@TheMisterGuy]

1 - Belief: "An acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists." You believe in gravity. 2 - That's fine. But maybe there is a point in time where there is nothing before that point. Or maybe time is a loop. That doesn't contradict "before" being a time-relative word. 2a - I never said that the universe came from nothing, so I don't really need to define it. In fact, the law of conservation of energy makes it seem like the matter/energy in the universe must have always existed.

[@yarnpower]

It was great to learn that there is help for clergy who are becoming atheists. I can only imagine the difficulties in changing so much in your life at once.

[@ianjrivers]

That's good to know, Maybe we all should have our own forum!! thanks for posting, always good to hear from fellow escapees....!

[@Zentz29]

I made it clear to the community I lived in that I wasn't a christian at a VERY young age. They tried to convince me to convert, but they weren't assholes about it at all. I went to a christian camp (that I LOVED) where pretty much everyone knew I didn't really buy into bible stuff, but was never bullied, talked down to etc. I guess it was an extremely liberal church I went to. I was even alowed to opt out of bible studies & go do arts & crafts instead. It was awesome. I got lucky as hell! lol

[@santiagoacosta777]

Perfect. I'm tired of people arguing that agnosticism is some kind of middle ground between theist and atheist but it's NOT. As you just said.

[@samuelmilton1436]

Matt & Jerry are great guys!!!! Both are really helping grow the Atheist community!!!! GREAT SHOW!!!!

[@sol3a1]

1: The definition left out one very important part: "With Evidence" Belief is thinking something exists without evidence. While I may have beliefs, my acceptance of Gravity is not based on belief, but knowledge 2: As Space-Time started for this universe with the big bang, yes saying, "What came before the Big Bang" has no meaning 2a: Didn't say you did, just said that if one is going to say "in the sense of something coming from nothing" one must define what "nothing" is

[@larjjlion]

But before we broke up I usually came home from their meetings with serious anger issues. I believe that the main reason I was like that was because I did'nt agree with that nonesense for a long time and when I was at their meetings the ridiculus control they were trying to keep me under drove me to a nervious breakdown. She asked me to leave the house and they were very much behind her thinking. I spent 2 weeks in a mental hospital over it. She is a good woman in general.

[@fowlfables]

Good job, keep it up. I wish I had the honesty with myself to accept my faith in Christianity was without validity when I was your age.

[@Danthepest1]

I just wanna give a hug to the first caller and her daughter.

[@1stclassninjasoup]

2 Peter 3:16 So are you saying that you're "unlearned" and "unstable"? Because What I said was You go and ask Jesus of these things not me. As for 2 Peter 1:20 talking about "private interpretation" JOHN 15:7 Says "If ye abide in me,and my words abide in you,ye shall ask what ye will,and it shall be done unto you." Are you saying that doesn't mean what it says? So,Do you admit all you have is your faith?

[@MrScottyr86]

The only way I would break ties with a friend who became atheist is if they thought I was a moron for believing in God and insulted me for being a Christian. That is so wrong to end a relationship with someone just because they become atheist.

[@srikargottipati]

Jerry DeWitt was pretty fluid and articulated very well all this thoughts. Great show.

[@sandbar3000]

This is very good stuff. I agree that religion does cloud someone's view of what real love is. If you can't be yourself, and if you have to fake who you are, and those church people accept you (say if you go to a Christian church and you are having doubts about what you believe) you need to ask yourself "Would they really love me if I told them I'm having doubts about having faith???" I love this video!

[@jfeltes]

Good Luck uploading Episode 765 It looks like it's split up in 9 small parts on Ustream.

[@SeanWashPhoto]

I work for a company that makes bible software and it just absolutely tortures me, but you gotta make the money and provide for yourself... This show really does help me get through my weeks. Thanks guys!

[@msc8472]

Matts is not afraid to debate anybody.I would love to see him debate william lane craig.

[@TheMisterGuy]

Two things: 1 - You don't have faith, maybe, but I bet you do believe that gravity exists. Belief does not imply faith. 2 - About the start of the universe: What if time is not infinite? What if it's like a book, where there is a first page and a last page? What if all matter existed on page one, and will continue to exist on the last page? Or what if time is a loop? It may have no start or end. I don't see why there had to be a "start" in the sense of something coming from nothing.

[@ianjrivers]

We ex-Pentecostals are a bit rare on the atheist side, but it was good to watch this excellent guest co-host, I hope he gets invited back .....

[@Slime6six6]

lmfao, the last caller is like "time to get this off my chest" and then the audio fucks up LOL!

[@toni8675]

Sweden just made it to the top of my "must see" countries :)

[@fowlfables]

I was indoctrinated for years myself. You couldn't be more right, and I'm glad to join you. It's good to have reallized as I came out of religion that I wasn't alone on the other side.

[@awmoore77]

In many cases of student bullying, the teachers in fact are complicit, condoning the behavior. The teachers are usually acting out the prejudices of bigots in the community or the religious organization to which they belong. This is yet another reason to keep religion out of any publicly-funded education system.

[@jaymancity10]

I'm 15 and i'm openly atheist, i really never face hostility but when i do i love it because most of he opposition i have to deal with have never read the bible or any religious book or scripture even adults, so because i watch the Atheist Experience and listen to people like Penn Gilette, Christopher Hitchens and of course Richard Dawkings I have a lot of knowledge and can deal with these types of people but i make sure i don't patronise them or try to offend them.

[@7mmike7]

A point to consider. It requires no formal training or qualifications to be a minister beyond the letter of corroboration from an existing religious institution. An online "church" is adequate for the task. After "ordination" you need only apply for the needed documents from the state you live in. The entire process can be completed in a few days for less than $300. Afterwards you can marry people, bury people, or preside over any religious ceremony while paying no taxes on your income. Checkit

[@babyshambler]

In England we don't even have the concept of 'coming out' as an atheist. If a child at school was religious they may be bullied (sadly) but certainly not for not being an atheist. It's pretty strange to listen to American experiences.

[@mariae321]

babyshambler not everyone’s experience is the same In Britain. For example coming out as a atheist for me would be social suicide. My family would think the devil is in my head. My friends are all Christians that’s my social life too. This is in Britain too. It’s a huge deal to come out as a atheist. I’d be bullied / isolated but it would be within my own family/ friends because to them non believers are working for the devil and they wouldn’t want to know me.

[@1stclassninjasoup]

PART 5: "I form the light and create darkness,I make peace and create EVIL: I THE LORD DO ALL THESE THINGS" ISAIAH 45:7 a quote from your book with the talking donkey in it.

[@BionicDance]

I think this humor's been pente up in me for quite some time. ;)

[@quietcon]

In those robes and with his demeanour, Jerry looks like a Jedi to me - anyone else?

[@rhagedorn]

How true. To me, "wanting to use authority over others whenever possible, and feeling required to subject to all humiliation from assumed higher authorities", makes you a bully. Even parents bully their own children through fear of a higher authority.

[@captainclayman]

this theme song never gets old

[@sideoffries93]

However, I will admit that I don't think I can continue this. A few reasons though, first off is that the KZbin character limit is much too small. I can't spread out my points well enough with even two comments. Second is I'm sure you have much more important things to do than just debate on KZbin.

[@Shangori]

It's absolutely gorgeous I can tell you. If you are the adventurous type, go higher north, if you like the idea of a different kind of anaheim, go south. And if you like flat lands, go to holland/the netherlands. We enjoy bashing religion as well

[@markedfang]

As I look at the comment section, I watch in awe and stare at the self-rightiousness and downright ignorance that some people use to look down on others. If only those who believed in their own version of a creater, recognised faith as the only justifiable motivation. May you do good in the name of your god. While I do good because it is only just to do so, as I wonder who, in the end, is more worthy of praise from any truly just god.

[@munstrumridcully]

Not only that, but the Treaty of Tripoli, a document approved unanimously by congress, directly states that the US is in no way founded on the Christian faith. Not to mention correspondence from Jefferson and from Washington clearly saying much the same thing, about how any faith (or no faith) is the point of religious freedom and that government should be secular(which is NOT atheist).

[@larjjlion]

I was for years a gnostic theist but I have gradually for many reasons come out of the closet as an agnostic. I am not an atheist. But it is still difficult because guilt at times sets in and drives me crazy after being brainwashed for my entire life of 50 years. I am an agnostic deist who belives that although I am engrossed in studying science and other things I don't feel I have enough knowledge to say for sure that a supernatural force exists. I tend to think yes but but not sure what it is.

[@youtubian2500]

Atheism is a position on the claim "god exists" and pertains to what you believe. If you answer "yes", you are a theist, if you answer anything else, including "I don't know", you're an atheist. Agnosticism pertains to knowledge; what you know about the claim being made. In this context, being agnostic means you don't know if there is or could be a god or gods. So, an atheist agnostic is a person who don't believe the claim "god exists" and doesn't know if there is or could be a god or gods.

[@TheKommodore]

I really enjoyed this episode. DeWitt is wonderful.

[@ElroyMF1]

Yeah, I used to try and do good from the inside as a sunday school teacher too. So ridiculous when I think back on it

[@Kristen70364]

This had nothing to do with anything, but every time Jerry spoke, I just wanted him to say "Sookie.." Lmao!

[@NightZ2_]

I live in brazil, and I have to say: I have friends that are christians, and know i'm an atheist. and they are ok with it. in school (A "Catholic" school), we had amazing debates. I'm sure there are places here on which people have huge problems, To me, It was not a problem. And i've seen that Catholics are more ok with atheism. They really don't take their religion too serious.

[@itscat92]

I can imagine it would be really difficult finding a job after leaving, because when the interviewer looks at your resume they'll ask why you stopped being a clergy, and when you tell them its because you dont believe in it anymore, chances are they'll be offended if they're christian.

[@baxtar1963]

I was exposed to several religions early in life but nothing ever impressed me or made me a believer. After finding this show 4 years ago I finally came to grips that I was atheist and really had been all my life. The time spent in church was just curiosity. Religion claims good works well anybody can do good things and not believe in God. Religion by its very nature is divisive and evil. What they teach now is not what the man called Jesus taught. Today's Christian's are hypocrites.

[@lucasmontec]

One you don't believe in something. The other you believe in something.

[@Psergiop2]

think this way; If they would give up on you for your beliefs they're not worth your love either.

[@ptsocr]

I enjoyed John's question.

[@james-p4r]

The first caller sounded so nervous, she was talking to one of her idols. :)

[@sideoffries93]

I'm sure there are historians that would gladly disagree with you as well. However, I'm not pulling these numbers out of nowhere. I decided to look at a list of well recorded human wars today after seeing your comment. I looked through the causes of the wars, and if the cause was vague, not agreed upon very well, or religion was not a prominent cause, I counted them as not being caused by religion, so I gave religion a benefit of the doubt. I was surprised the number was so low(cont.)

[@valkolakk]

Ah man....was hoping this was new. Hopping on the ustream now. This was a good ep though. I'm glad there's an organization like Recovering from Religion for atheists who have been discriminated against. We have to stick together.

[@1stclassninjasoup]

PART 3: "His breast are full of milk." JOB 21:24 A quote from your book with the talking donkey in it. "I will take thy wives before thine eyes and give them unto thy neighbour and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun" 2SAM 12:11 a quote from your book with the talking donkey in it. "Eph 4:29" So you don't really follow the bible. "Eph 4:29

[@Transformers217]

I was just pointing out that Stalin and communism has murdered more people than Christians. But Stalin was not an atheist, he was a communist, who did things for a political ideology, and he believed in the supernatural. Hitler was a Christian, he considered himself to be a Christian, and many Christians supported him. Hitler was NEVER excommunicated by the Catholic Church. But religions like Communism, have done more harm than Christianity. And so has Islam.

[@VictoriousCatholic]

2. Actually, it does cure people. Studies have shown prayer relieves stress and puts a more wholesome perspective on events. 3. Except for the fact Hitler was called out by the church he claimed he belonged to, but I have yet to see any atheist answer what other reason did Stalin order a cathedral blown up other than he hated religion?

[@Starnerdz]

Respect to you misty for educating your kid's on truth and not on fairytales.

[@lumburgapalooza]

Lacking a belief is not HAVING a belief any more than lacking hair implies having anything else. Certainly you could say "well, if you don't have hair then obviously you're bald", but that would denote that you've made some assumptions; namely that we're talking about a person. We could be talking about a butane lighter. Following the same logical steps, we can see that a person lacking a belief does not imply the belief of anything else.

[@vincentdublino7136]

Observing the Sabbath right here on A.E. can I get a DAR-Win !

[@SoulSearcher4]

If you search Wikipedia and other pages, you will notice that there isn't a general consensus for the definition of each. In my experience though, I have found that Atheism generally implies a rejection of religious belief and the position that there are no gods. In contrast, Agnosticism is simply a lack of religious belief, due to not knowing, or the theory that it can never be known. You can argue over etymology, but really, words are given meaning solely on how someone chooses to use them.

[@Saladcreamsarnie]

Wow, can't believe they got Kevin Smith on the show!