Evangelical Agnosticism
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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.