In the category of “Questions Atheists Get Asked All the Time” is this zinger: Which is Worse: Agnostic or Atheist?

On one hand, it’s an easy question to answer: neither. But on the other hand, in kind of depends on what you mean by “worse.”

Some people may define “worse” how mad their parents might get if they tell them. (If that’s true, here are some pointers.) Other people might think of what’s worse in the eyes of the church.

Agnostics and Atheists share some views. They both diverge from traditional theism, the belief in one or more gods. But to find out which is "worse" we need to dig a little deeper.

Understanding Agnosticism and Atheism

Agnosticism is the view that the existence — or non-existence — of any god is unknown, or unknowable. They believe that it is impossible to be certain.

Atheism, on the other hand, is the lack of belief in gods. Atheists do not subscribe to any church or belief in gods, and often reject religious doctrines. This disbelief ranges from a passive nonbelief, to an active assertion that gods do not exist, to an evangelical nonbelief that can rival an evangelical Christian’s belief in God.

So which is worse?

To figure out which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist, we need to understand the what we mean by “worse.” Do we mean worse ethically, socially, spiritually, or simply as it relates to your family life.

1. The ethical perspective

Since Agnostics nor Atheists are not inherently “bad” people — neither belief system encourages anyone to do bad things based on their beliefs — it’s hard to say that either one is worse from an ethical standpoint. Both agnostics and atheists can hold strong moral principles.

Some religious people might argue that doubting the existence of a god might lead someone down a bad path, but that’s not a widely accepted view.

In fact, many Atheists and Agnostics have their own individual belief systems that promote empathy, justice and the well-being of others.

2. The social perspective

Unfortunately, in many societies, especially those with strong religious traditions, Atheism and Agnosticism can be met with suspicion or hostility.

Atheists, in particular, may face more direct criticism because their stance is seen as a rejection of commonly held religious beliefs. Agnostics, who adopt a more neutral position, might be perceived as less confrontational.

However, this can vary widely depending on the cultural and religious context. In some secular societies, Atheism might be more accepted or even mainstream.

Given this, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist, from a social perspective.

3. The philosophical perspective

Ready to get deep here? Philosophically speaking, the debate over which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist, often hinges on the very nature of belief and knowledge.

Agnosticism might be viewed as more intellectually honest by some, as it acknowledges the limitations of human knowledge — how can we truly be sure if there’s a god or not?

On the other hand, Atheism can be seen as a more definitive stance, which some might argue requires a level of certainty that is just not possible. Yet Atheists usually counter that argument by saying that the lack of evidence for God is enough to justify their disbelief.

4. The spritual perspective

If you are curious about which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist, from a spiritual perspective — or more specifically, what happens after you die — this one is easier to answer.

Atheists typically do not believe in Heaven, Hell or any kind of afterlife. So if you ask them, Agnosticism is worse, because Agnostics think that there might be an afterlife, and they may not be doing much to help them get into the “good” place and avoid the “bad” place.

Atheists live their lives free of any worry about the afterlife. Agnostics may have some anxiety, which most people would agree is worse.

5. Personal and family factors

Ultimately, the question of which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist, is deeply personal. It may also depend on where you live.

For someone who believes in a god, and lives in god-fearing culture, both Agnosticism and Atheism might be troubling, but Atheism could be seen as a more direct challenge to their faith. For someone living in a secular society, these distinctions might seem less significant.

This could also be true of your family dynamic. If you are an Atheist “coming out” to a religious family, they may be upset for a little while. But if you are Agnostic, they may think that you’re having a crisis of faith, and could try to help to get you back on the path to their beliefs. Which one is worse is up to you. Some people may want the clean break that Atheism provides.

In conclusion

So which is worse, Agnostic or Atheist? Unfortunately, there’s no good answer: it depends.

It depends on the values, beliefs, and context of the individuals making the judgment. Both Agnosticism and Atheism are valid belief systems that encourage people to question, explore, and understand the world around us.

Rather than focusing on which is worse, it might be better to think about how both of these belief systems can help people, and contribute to the greater conversation about spirituality and truth.