What is agnosticism?

• A. The belief that God exists
• B. The belief that no deity exists
• C. The belief that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven
• D. The belief in multiple gods

Answer: (C)

Agnosticism is a stance about what can be known regarding God’s existence. It holds that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven, so it does not claim certainty that God exists or certainty that God does not exist. In other words, it focuses on knowability rather than on belief about God. This distinguishes it from theism (believing God exists), atheism (believing no deity exists), and polytheism (believing in multiple gods). Some agnostics feel that evidence will always be inconclusive, while others think humans simply lack the means to know for sure. In practice, recognizing this view helps healthcare providers respect patients’ diverse perspectives on spirituality and meaning.