How is an agnostic defined?

An agnostic is best defined as a person who believes it is impossible to know if a god exists. This perspective acknowledges uncertainty regarding the existence of deities and suggests that definitive knowledge about such matters is either unattainable or has not yet been established. Agnostics do not commit to belief in a deity, nor do they outright deny the possibility of one; instead, they focus on the limits of human understanding when it comes to divine existence.

This view stands apart from others that assert firm beliefs or doctrines. For instance, someone who follows a specific religious doctrine is clearly defined in their belief system, whereas a person who actively denies the existence of a deity is typically identified as an atheist, not an agnostic. Similarly, while secular humanism embodies a philosophy centered on human values and rational thought, it does not inherently address the uncertainty regarding the existence of deities, which is fundamental to agnosticism. Therefore, the defining characteristic of agnosticism lies in its recognition of the limitations of human knowledge concerning the divine.