Apathetic Agnostic Church
Diocese of Litchfield Cty CT
Welcome to the wonderful world of Agnosticism — this site is for everyone, everywhere, and not just for folks in my diocese (Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA). No realm of thought is more misunderstood, I think, than Agnosticism. I hope to set the record straight a bit, and maybe give you a little to think about, no matter where your loyalties lie.

At the outset, I must note that Agnostics tend toward rugged individualism. As such, there are no hard-&-fast rules about what every Agnostic thinks. I doubt that any two Agnostics agree on anything, in fact! But, there are some generalities which apply to most, if not all.

The Universal Church Triumphant of the Apathetic Agnostic

AAC LogoThe UCTAA began in 1996 as a single online Web page. It has grown since then, having members in numerous countries. As indicated by its hifalutin' formal title, the UCTAA, or Apathetic Agnostic Church, is a curious mix of utter seriousness and irreverant humor. What's more, it's up to each individual — that's you! — to determine which parts are serious and which are humorous. Please stop by there and have a look — and probably a chuckle or two. And learn something!

The UCTAA has clergy, and a hierarchy (of which I'm a member). Again, it's up to the individual clergy to make of this what they will.

The Apathetic Agnostic Church has three "Articles of Faith." These are:

  1. The existence of a Supreme Being is unknown and unknowable.
  2. If there is a Supreme Being, then that being appears to act as if entirely apathetic to events in our universe.
  3. We are apathetic to the existence or non-existence of a Supreme Being.
As I've already noted, most Agnostics are quite individual in their opinions, but I'd say a good number of them would accept these three "Articles of Faith," even if they've never heard of the Apathetic Agnostic Church. Of course, whether or not they're really Articles of "Faith" is another question, the very definition of faith being a belief in something which cannot be verified; these Articles do not ask one to accept them without verification. See what I mean about making of the Apathetic Agnostic Church whatever you will?

More On Agnosticism

I've had a Web page available for some time, on Agnosticism, which is a brief treatise on it. It explains Agnosticism in greater depth. Please take a look and find out what Agnosticism really means.

Why Agnosticism?

People often ask what I "get" out of being an Agnostic, as if the only real reason to believe something, or not, lies in what one "gets" out of it. My answer is: Nothing! But that shouldn't matter at all. I have the satisfaction of no longer wasting my energy striving to understand that which is not understandable (that is, God, or religion). I know what my limits are and do not attempt to exceed them. I'm able to look at things in a practical way rather than worrying about some deity-in-the-sky constantly looking over my shoulder.

"But what about morals? Doesn't this make you amoral?" No, it doesn't. It means that I decide what is "moral," or not, on the basis of the results, rather than having to review the arbitrary dictates of a remote deity, as recorded in millennia-old documents. It means I am responsible for my own actions, because only I am responsible for the decisions I make. I cannot use a distant deity as a scapegoat.

I also hear, "You must be angry at God to reject him." First of all, I don't reject God. I simply accede that, even if he exists (which is something I can never verify, anyway), I will never really know him; therefore, his existence is irrelevant to me. Second, I'm not angry at God, not at all; are you angry at Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy?

You might call Agnosticism a very pragmatic idea, and I'm a pragmatic person ... so you do the math.

Want To Know More?

D.J. Halnon, Bishop of Litchfield CtyStill want to find out more about Agnosticism? Have look at my Agnosticism treatise; it answers many questions. At the bottom, you'll find links to more sites, with yet more information. Or, check out the Apathetic Agnostic Church's Web site — at this writing it has over 200 pages, loaded with thoughtful content.

Or, you can email me at litchfield@uctaa.org.

AAC Motto (Nesciamus, non attingamus)

This page maintained by Dennis J. Halnon / litchfield@uctaa.org.