Evangelical Agnosticism

William Henry Young

he Summer 1981 FREE INQUIRY con- one thing in which 1 differed from them. ticism, Religion, and Science: Some Unex- Ttained the article "What is Agnosti- They were quite sure they had attained a amined Implications," in the Spring 1978 certain "gnosis, "—had, more or less suc- cism?" by H. J. Blackham. It dealt primarily Rocky Mountain Review of Language and cessfully, solved the problem of existence; with intimations of agnosticism among skep- Literature, notes: "The new term gave a while I was quite sure I had not, and had tical philosophers before 1869, when Thomas name, and thereby a sort of respectability, Henry Huxley invented the term as a label a pretty strong conviction that the problem was insoluble. And, with Hume and Kant to those who professed ignorance in meta- for his personal approach to religious and on my side, I could not think myself physical and religious matters...." philosophical questions. This article will presumptuous in holding fast by that In spite of its acceptance and the fact provide some history about agnosticism since opinion. . . . So I took thought, and that he invented the term, Huxley rarely used 1869 and will suggest the reasons for the invented what I conceived to be the appro- it during the first twenty years of its exis- introduction of the term evangelical agnosti- priate title of "agnostic." It came into my tence. His lecture in 1870, "On Descartes cism. It will not deal with the relationship head as suggestively antithetic to the 'Discourse Touching the Method of Using between the words agnosticism, skepticism, "gnostic" of church history, who professed One's Reason Rightly and of Seeking Scien- rationalism, and other related terms in the to know so much about the very things of tific Truth,' " does not contain either agnos- which I was ignorant.... To my great freethought tradition. tic or agnosticism, although there were Huxley's account of his invention of the satisfaction the term took; and when the Spectator had stood godfather to it, any several natural points at which either could word agnostic was written in an essay enti- suspicion in the minds of respectable peo- have been introduced. Neither "Administra- tled "Agnosticism" some twenty years after ple, that a knowledge of its parentage tive Nihilism," an 1871 lecture, nor "Mr. he coined the term. At this time he was might have awakened was, of course, com- Darwin's Critics," published in November sixty-four years old and his place in the pletely lulled. 1871, mentions agnosticism, although either Victorian establishment was very secure. He might have been expected to do so. Huxley's was an original and influential member of Considerable controversy has arisen lecture "Science and Culture" speaks of the London School Board, president of the over when Huxley first used the term and humanists several times, but agnostics are Royal Society, and a trustee of the British whether he connected it with the gnostics, not mentioned. Even in Hume, written in Museum. Called "Darwin's Bulldog," Huxley as indicated above, or with the "Unknown 1878, Huxley used the term agnosticism only was renowned for his spirited defense of God" of Acts 17:23. In 1881, R. H. Hutton, once and placed it in quotes to describe "that many scientific ideas that were unpopular for many years the editor of the Spectator, more modern way of thinking, which has with the religious establishment. He wrote: related it to the Unknown God. Apparently been called 'agnosticism,' from its profession Huxley, in 1889, was trying to correct this of an incapacity to discover the indispensable When I reached intellectual maturity and with his recollection. conditions of either positive or negative began to ask myself whether I was an In any event, there seems little doubt knowledge...." However, it is interesting atheist, a theist, or a pantheist; a materi- that "agnostic" was first used in print in the to note that Huxley's 1894 Preface to Hume alist or an idealist; a Christian or a free- January 29, 1870, issue of the Spectator. It includes the identification of Socrates as "the thinker; I found that the more I learned contained an anonymous article, probably first agnostic, the man who so far as the and reflected, the less ready was the answer; until, at last, 1 came to the con- by R. H. Hutton, entitled "Pope Huxley." records of history go, was the first to see clusion that I had neither art nor part Huxley was called an "Agnostic" and an that clear knowledge of what one does not with any of these denominations, except "evangelist" who was "labouring to preach know is just as important as knowing what the last. The one thing in which most of to us all the gospel of suspense of judgment one does know." these good people were agreed was the on all questions, intellectual and moral, on which we have not adequate data for a posi- n the fall of 1883, Charles A. Watts wrote William H. Young is a librarian by profes- tive opinion." Ito Huxley about a publication to be called sion and the founder of the Society of The terms agnostic and agnosticism The Agnostic Annual that Watts was plan- Evangelical Agnostics, which was estab- soon became popular, being used in a variety ning. He asked three questions: "l. Is lished in 1975 and now has 1,000 members. of ways by both advocates and detractors. Agnosticism in accord with modern science? Christopher Clausen, in his article "Agnos- 2. What is its relation to popular theology?

34 FREE INQUIRY 3. Is Agnosticism destined to supplant reli- that every man shoud be able to give a relate agnosticism to the idea of God and gious supernaturalism?" reason for the faith that is in him; it is the do not include the aspects of openminded- Huxley responded, but apparently did principle of Descartes; it is the fundamen- ness and demand for evidence included in not intend that his letter be published. When tal axiom of modern science. Positively the Huxley definition. Most dictionaries say he received a copy of The Agnostic Annual the principle may be expressed: In matters that the agnostic holds that the ultimate from Watts, along with a second letter of the intellect, follow your reason as far cause and essential nature of things are both asking if he wished to make any changes for as it will take you, without regard for any unknowable. On the contrary, Huxley, in other consideration. And negatively: In the second edition, Huxley answered "Agnosticism and Christianity." said, "I do matters of the intellect do not pretend that immediately and with some annoyance at not very much care to speak of anything as conclusions are certain which are not having been listed as a "contributor." Five demonstrated or demonstrable. That 1 take 'unknowable.' " rapid letters with increasing acrimony passed to be the agnostic faith, which if a man between Watts and Huxley. In the end, keep whole and undefiled, he shall not be eanwhile, in England, agnosticism Watts published Huxley's original response ashamed to look the universe in the face, Mwas becoming a popular topic, as in the second edition without Huxley's per- whatever the future may have in store for evidenced by the articles in the first issue of mission. Huxley's answers to the three ques- him. The Agnostic: A Monthly Journal of Liberal tions appeared as the first set of answers in The results of the working out of the Thought, which appeared in 1885. It the second edition, followed by answers of agnostic principle will vary according to included such titles as: "The Confession of individual knowledge and capacity, and varying length by G. M. McC., W. Stewart Agnosticism," "Agnosticism and Dogma- according to the general condition of sci- Ross (Saladin), P. A. Taylor, Charles Watts, ence. That which is unproven today may tism," "The Popular Religious Faith," and F. W. Newman [younger brother of Cardinal be proven by the help of new discoveries "A.D. 2500: Antipodian Agnosticism." Newman], Ignotus, W. B. McTaggart, Ernst tomorrow. . . . The only obligation The Agnostic Annual, founded by Haeckel, W. Sadler (Baldr), James Beal, and accepted is to have the mind always open Charles A. Watts, continued to be published Julian. to conviction. until 1908, when its title was changed to the Whether or not Huxley was justified in Rationalist Press Association Annual, which his objection to being included in The Huxley's article "Agnosticism" appeared in turn became the New Humanist. Articles Agnostic Annual, 1 do not know. It may be in February 1889. Two months later, Robert like "An Agnostic View of Theism and that his main objection was to the fact that Ingersoll reacted to this article with one of Monism," "Reverent Agnosticism," "Scien- Watts had apparently said in the first edition his own, "Professor Huxley and Agnosti- tific Religion," "Agnosticism and Immortal- (I have not been able to find a copy) that cism," in the North American Review. In ity," "The Comfort of Agnosticism," and Huxley "claim[ed] to be the founder of his article Ingersoll generally agreed with "The Contest Between Agnosticism and Agnosticism," whereas Huxley pointed out Huxley, although he regretted that Huxley Theology" abounded. in his second letter to Watts that he, Huxley, was "somewhat severe on the Positive But enthusiasm for agnosticism faded. had "invented the term 'agnostic'—which is Philosophy." Ingersoll's article is possibly his Exactly what happened to agnosticism on a somewhat different proposition." In any most systematic explanation of agnosticism its way into the twentieth century is a story event, the second edition reads, "Professor from his point of view. Later in 1889 and in that still needs to be written. But the fact is Huxley, who claims to be the inventor of March 1890, Ingersoll published a two-part that during the first decades of the twentieth the term Agnostic, ..." article, "Why Am 1 An Agnostic?" in the century, overtly agnostic writings diminished Huxley had apparently made his peace North American Review. However, he did rapidly. Most of what was being written was with The Agnostic Annual by 1892 because not mention agnosticism per se in either part by those opposed to agnosticism. Few people his article "Possibilities and Impossibilities" of this article. Six years later his famous seemed to be speaking out vigorously on was included in that issue. By that time, lecture "Why Am 1 An Agnostic" was pub- behalf of the agnostic faith that Huxley had Huxley's essays on agnosticism had been lished, but again he did not use the term proposed. published in the Nineteenth Century maga- agnostic or agnosticism in the lecture itself. Clarence Darrow did give two lectures, zine under the titles "Agnosticism," "Agnos- Even though he used these terms sparingly, both entitled "Why 1 Am An Agnostic." One ticism: a Rejoinder," and "Agnosticism and Ingersoll became known in America as "the was given at a symposium with a rabbi, a Christianity." The articles, all written during Great Agnostic." Protestant bishop, and a Catholic judge in 1889, provided apologetics, polemics, and Ingersoll was asked about agnosticism Columbus, Ohio, on March 12, 1929. The occasionally irenics for the agnostic faith, as in an interview given to the Philadelphia other took place at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, seen in the following paragraphs from Times, September 25, 1885. The question in 1932. Both were good freethought lec- "Agnosticism." was, "Don't you think the belief of the tures, but neither really described the prin- Agnostic [regarding the existence of a ciples of agnosticism. In the first lecture, If any one had preferred this request to Supreme Being] is more satisfactory to the Darrow said, "the word [agnostic] is gener- me, [to draw up a negative creed] I should believer than that of the Atheist?" Ingersoll ally applied to those who doubt the verity have replied that, if he referred to agnos- replied, "There is no difference. The Agnostic of accepted religious creeds or faiths. Every- tics, they have no creed; and, by the nature is an Atheist. The Atheist is an Agnostic. one is an agnostic as to the beliefs or creeds of the case, cannot have any. Agnosticism, The Agnostic says: 'I do not know, but 1 do they do not accept." In the second lecture, in fact, is not a creed but a method, the not believe there is a God.' The Atheist says he stated, "I am an agnostic. 1 see no pur- essence of which lies in the rigorous appli- the same...." pose in the universe and neither can anyone cation of a single principle. That principle This answer has not been accepted by is of great antiquity; it is as old as who examines it from a scientific stand- Socrates; as old as the writer who said, most lexicographers, who usually see agnos- point." Unfortunately, neither lecture did "Try all things, hold fast by that which is ticism as a third position regarding the much to further an understanding of agnos- good;" it is the foundation of the Refor- God-idea, distinct from theism and atheism. ticism. There was little indication of the need mation, which simply illustrated the axiom Unfortunately, most dictionaries merely for the patient, scientific attitude that had

Summer 1985 35 been expressed by Huxley. Darrow, in con- these questions are respectively: "No .. . historical justification for speaking of an trast, showed himself to be a capable, mili- [but] he is, for practical purposes, at one evangelist in an agnostic context. The word tant iconoclast, following closely in the with the atheists." "An agnostic does not evangel means "good news," and many homiletic and theatrical tradition of his men- accept any 'authority' in the sense in which agnostics feel that agnosticism is the good tor, Robert Ingersoll. religious people do." "ln one sense, no; in news that saves them from being seduced In 1928, Darrow teamed up with another sense, everyone does whatever he into unreasonable conclusions and frees Wallace Rice to prepare an anthology that pleases." "An agnostic regards the Bible them from guilt for having inspected and was published in 1929 under the title Infidels exactly as enlightening clerics regard it." rejected some of their past beliefs. Agnostics, And Heretics: An Agnostic's Anthology. The "What is the meaning of 'the meaning of by word or deed, overtly or covertly, do introduction included an excellent brief life'?" communicate the good news of their agnostic history and commentary on the word Russell's full answer to the question faith. This makes them evangelists of sorts, agnostic, and the anthology included more about science and religion was: although probably only a few would speak than one hundred entries in a broadly free- of themselves as such. In any event, "evan- thought context, but few of them were spe- The answer turns upon what is meant by gelical agnostic" is a lighthearted label to cifically about agnosticism. "religion." If it means merely a system of use in this age, somewhat in the spirit of Bertrand Russell's brief article written ethics, it can be reconciled with science. If Huxley's use of the term agnostic to describe it means a system of dogma, regarded as in 1949 and published in an E. Haldeman- himself to his friends and colleagues at the unquestionably true, it is incompatible Julius tract, "Am 1 an Atheist or an Metaphysical Society in 1869. Agnostic? A Plea for Tolerance in the Face with the scientific spirit, which refuses to accept matters of fact without evidence, An evangelical agnostic need not ring of New Dogmas," is actually more about and holds that complete certainty is hardly doorbells or hand out tracts on street rationalism than agnosticism. When Russell ever attainable. corners. But when confronted by those who actually discussed agnosticism, it was merely are proselytizing their particular religious, in relationship to the God-idea. A second One would think that this article by political, and social positions, being an E. Haldeman-Julius tract, published in 1950, Russell might have created more general evangelical agnostic immediately places one also started with Russell's article. However, interest in agnosticism than it apparently did. on an equal footing with the other evan- it included a rebuttal to the agnostic/atheist On the contrary, by 1959, the Encyclopaedia gelists. portion of Russell's essay that contended that Britannica concluded its article on agnosti- Only time will tell whether or not evan- the "Agnostic is necessarily an Atheist." Both cism by saying, "By the middle of the 20th gelical agnosticism will become as common Russell and his detractor were contributing Century the term agnosticism had practically a label as agnosticism was in the latter part to the idea that agnosticism has to do with ceased to be current as a label used by any- of the nineteenth century. The principles of the God-idea. one to indicate either his creed or his agnosticism can be—and frequently are— Russell's famous Look Magazine article, method, though the adjective was still used advocated without any reference to the word "What Is An Agnostic?" published Novem- to indicate a person's belief that we are agnostic, for they are similar to the prin- ber 3, 1953, helped rescue agnosticism from ignorant on certain matters." The 1964 edi- ciples that govern free inquiry, humanism, the obscurity into which it had fallen. The tion went on to say, "Because of the oppro- rationalism, skepticism, and the scientific article, which was written in a question- brium attaching to it, the term agnosticism method. and-answer format, has been reprinted in had lost favor by the second half of the Evangelical agnosticism is really nothing the subsequent editions of a book edited by 20th Century." new. It is simply a reaffirmation of the prin- Leo Rosten and published under various ciples enunciated by T. H. Huxley a century titles, most recently as Religions in America. t was at about this time that "evangelical ago: It is wrong to say one is certain of the It is probably the most readily available and Iagnosticism" was inadvertently intro- truth of any proposition unless one can pro- widely read statement on the agnostic posi- duced. At first it was used jokingly to iden- duce satisfactory evidence. One's mind tion. tify someone who was enthusiastic about should always be open to conviction, and it Strangely, Rosten omitted the answer agnosticism. Gradually it has come to be is all right, after all, to confess one's igno- Russell sent to Look regarding the basic used to indicate an approach similar to rance about those things that one does not question, "What is an Agnostic?" Look itself Huxley's: emphasizing a ready willingness know. • had edited Russell's answer somewhat and to accept the fact that we live without final used it as a heading to lead into the article: answers to many questions, encouraging a "An agnostic thinks it impossible to know commitment to consider all possible answers MOVING? the truth in matters such as God and the to our questions, and suggesting that it is Make sure FREE INQUIRY future life with which Christianity and other immoral to advocate answers beyond the follows you! religions are concerned. Or, if not impossi- extent of our evidence. Please send us your old mailing label. ble, at least impossible at the present." Clausen noted in a footnote to his pre- New Address Russell's questions in the Look article viously mentioned article, "No one, however, included: "Are agnostics atheists?" "Since has made the more significant point that Name you deny 'God's law; what authority do you agnosticism is itself a positive religious posi- accept as a guide to conduct?" "Does an tion." The term evangelical agnostic suggests Address agnostic do whatever he pleases?" "How does that the principles of agnosticism do provide an agnostic regard the Bible?" "What is the the basis for such a religious position. City meaning of life to the agnostic?" and "Do At first glance, "evangelical" may seem State Zip agnostics think that science and religion are a strange word to be juxtaposed with impossible to reconcile?" "agnosticism." However, as was noted in the P.O. Box 5, Central Park Station The brief highly distilled answers to "Pope Huxley" article of 1870, there is Buffalo, NY 14215

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