On Tue, Nov 26, 2002 at 04:01:32PM -0800, Erik Dahl wrote: > To complicate this further, I'll mention that for some reason your post struck > me to wonder at the etymological relationship between "theism" and "atheism," > and "gnosticism" and "agnosticism." Based on my limited understanding of > gnosticism, I don't see the connection. :) gnosis in general is "knowledge"; Tolkien mapped his Noldor Elves to the Gnomes once -- the wise ones. a-gnosticism here is related to claiming a lack of knowledge, or denying the possibility of knowledge, depending on your flavor of agnosticism. Not to be confused with Gnosticism, the mystics around the time of Christ who discovered secret mysteries aren't a good way to have your religion survive. :) -xx- Damien X-)