Ignosticism facts for kids

Ignosticism is an idea that says we shouldn't even try to decide if God exists until we know exactly what the word "God" means. It's like trying to answer a question when you don't understand the words in it!

People who believe in ignosticism, called ignostics, think that if you don't define "God," the word doesn't really mean anything. They might say it's like talking about a "Fob" – a made-up word that has no meaning. So, until you have a clear definition of "God" that everyone can understand and discuss, debating whether God exists is like debating about "Fob."

This idea is sometimes similar to theological noncognitivism. That's a fancy way of saying that statements about God's existence can't be known as true or false because they don't have clear meaning.

What is Ignosticism?

Ignosticism focuses on the meaning of the word "God." It suggests that before you can even ask "Does God exist?", you first need to ask "What do you mean by 'God'?" Different people have very different ideas about what God is. Some might think of a powerful creator, while others might think of a guiding force or a set of rules.

Why is Definition Important?

Imagine trying to find a lost pet. If someone just says, "Go find my pet!" but doesn't tell you if it's a dog, a cat, or a hamster, it would be impossible to know what you're looking for. Ignostics feel the same way about "God." Without a clear definition, any discussion about God's existence can become confusing and pointless.

The "Fob" Example

The idea of "Fob" helps explain this. If someone says, "Does Fob exist?", you'd probably say, "What's a Fob?" Until you know what a "Fob" is, you can't answer the question. Ignostics apply this same logic to the word "God." They believe that if a definition of God can't be proven true or false, then talking about it is like talking about "Fob."

Ignosticism vs. Other Ideas

Ignosticism is different from other ideas like atheism or agnosticism.

• Atheism is the belief that God does not exist.
• Agnosticism is the belief that we can't know if God exists or not.
• Ignosticism says the question itself is unclear until "God" is defined.

It's not about saying "God doesn't exist" or "we can't know." It's about saying "we don't even know what we're talking about yet!"

When Did This Idea Appear?

The term "ignosticism" is a newer word, created in the 20th century. It helps describe a specific way of thinking about religious questions that focuses on language and meaning.