Why don't agnostics pray?

[FreeThinker23]

Like others have said, some agnostics do pray, especially those that were brought up in a religion where prayer is emphasized. However, I'm not sure why one would expect all agnostics to pray. Some agnostics aren't sure whether there is a deity, but don't believe in the Christian God, the Muslim God, etc. and may not believe that prayer is effective even if there is a deity. And why stop at prayer? Why not go to confession or eat some Chex and have a shot of merlot? Or maybe the Jews were right and you should sacrifice a goat like it says in the Old Testament. Given that most Jews no longer sacrifice animals, I'm sure the Lord would find your offer most pleasing. He sure does seem to enjoy the smell of burning flesh.

[charlou]

Like others have said, some agnostics do pray, especially those that were brought up in a religion where prayer is emphasized. However, I'm not sure why one would expect all agnostics to pray. Some agnostics aren't sure whether there is a deity, but don't believe in the Christian God, the Muslim God, etc. and may not believe that prayer is effective even if there is a deity. And why stop at prayer? Why not go to confession or eat some Chex and have a shot of merlot? Or maybe the Jews were right and you should sacrifice a goat like it says in the Old Testament. Given that most Jews no longer sacrifice animals, I'm sure the Lord would find your offer most pleasing. He sure does seem to enjoy the smell of burning flesh.

Good point, not all believers and uncertain people consider a possible deity to be a 'personal' one.

[Feck]

May be agnostics pray more when they are in trouble .( or very happy ,to be fair)

Sort of - OH God my house is on fire please save my dog ! and Oh thank the Lord my dog got out alive ....and oh look it brought the baby with it .

Can't see an agnostic praying before bed every night

[Mac_Guffin]

I prayed as an agnostic, even when I was pretty far down the non-belief scale. It was a habit and yeah, I figured it couldn't hurt and maybe just maybe I'd get some response. I assumed many others do/would as well. Why are you sure they don't?

I used to always pray for faith... and the more I did it, the more I lost.

[Pappa]

I prayed as an agnostic, even when I was pretty far down the non-belief scale. It was a habit and yeah, I figured it couldn't hurt and maybe just maybe I'd get some response. I assumed many others do/would as well. Why are you sure they don't?

I know one atheist who prays every night out of habit. He's a member here too.

[charlou]

I prayed as an agnostic, even when I was pretty far down the non-belief scale. It was a habit and yeah, I figured it couldn't hurt and maybe just maybe I'd get some response. I assumed many others do/would as well. Why are you sure they don't?

I know one atheist who prays every night out of habit. He's a member here too.

That sounds more like a meditative ritual of sorts ...

[leo-rcc]

IF I was in the position of believing there may be a god

But there is no reason for an agnostic to believe one may exist, it is just accepting that we don't know if one exist or even that the existence of such a creature is even knowable. Belief has nothing to do with it.

[Coito ergo sum]

I can accept agnosticism is possibly the more rational approach but if I claimed it was my own I'd be fibbing. I don't pray because I don't think there's any chance there's a god but I don't get why agnostics don't pray.

If I thought it was more likely there's no god then it'd be worth a punt on the 'nothing to lose front' - why not pop the odd one off .

But seriously if the prayer was dead quick why wouldn't an agnostic do it?

Some do. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnostic_theism and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fideism

[hiyymer]

I prayed as an agnostic, even when I was pretty far down the non-belief scale. It was a habit and yeah, I figured it couldn't hurt and maybe just maybe I'd get some response. I assumed many others do/would as well. Why are you sure they don't?

I know one atheist who prays every night out of habit. He's a member here too.

That sounds more like a meditative ritual of sorts ...

Are there different kinds of prayer? What is prayer? Are some more appropriate to one form of belief than another?

If prayer is asking for the intervention of some agency, does it have to be a supernatural agency? Couldn't it be the "great natural life force" or something?

[floppit]

IF I was in the position of believing there may be a god

But there is no reason for an agnostic to believe one may exist, it is just accepting that we don't know if one exist or even that the existence of such a creature is even knowable. Belief has nothing to do with it.

Meh - ok, so to reword, if I accepted what you've just written up there ^^^ in times of desperation I'd personally still have a punt! Not while sat muppet like waiting for white light and a miracle more just an gazillion to one chance it could help at no measurable cost to myself. Believe me, I've been that desperate. What's made the difference is while I have and would acknowledge the agnostic position as intellectually superior (probably?!) I don't believe in god, so at the common vernacular level of meaning (or the one espoused in Dawkin's grades) I'm atheist not agnostic, even if the last inch or two of that is somewhat less than rational it's still where I am.

Of course I could just pretend - but shit that would be a right pain in the arse!

[Pappa]

I prayed as an agnostic, even when I was pretty far down the non-belief scale. It was a habit and yeah, I figured it couldn't hurt and maybe just maybe I'd get some response. I assumed many others do/would as well. Why are you sure they don't?

I know one atheist who prays every night out of habit. He's a member here too.

That sounds more like a meditative ritual of sorts ...

Are there different kinds of prayer? What is prayer? Are some more appropriate to one form of belief than another?

If prayer is asking for the intervention of some agency, does it have to be a supernatural agency? Couldn't it be the "great natural life force" or something?

I think it's just ingrained habit that has likely become a meditative ritual.