We’ve first need to define terms — what defines an agnostic, and what defines an atheist?
From Websters New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition 2007:
- athe-ist (n.) A person who believes that there is no God.
- ag-nos-tic (n.) A person who believes that the human mind cannot know whether there is a God or an ultimate cause, or anything beyond material phenomena.
An atheist rejects religious belief and denies the existence of God; an agnostic questions the existence of God, heaven, etc in the absence of material proof and an unwillingness to accept supernatural revelation.
Other dictionaries express similar definitions — “One who believes that there is no deity” (Merriam-Webster), “One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.” (American Heritage) and “a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.” (Random House).