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What is the difference between deism and agnosticism?

The primary differences between deism and agnosticism lie in their philosophical and theological stances regarding the existence and nature of a divine being.

Deism

Deism is a philosophical and theological position that asserts the existence of a Supreme Being or God, but this belief is based solely on reason and observation of the natural world, rather than on revelation or religious authority1 4.
Deists believe that God created the universe but does not intervene in it after the initial creation. This concept is often likened to a "clockmaker" who sets the universe in motion and then lets it run according to its own laws1 4.
Deism emphasizes natural theology, where the existence of God is inferred from the order and complexity of the natural world.

Agnosticism

Agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God or gods exist. Agnostics neither believe nor disbelieve in the existence of a divine being; instead, they assert that such knowledge is beyond human capability2 3 5.
The term "agnosticism" comes from the Greek word "gnosis," meaning knowledge, and the prefix "a-" indicating a lack of knowledge. Thus, agnostics consider the question of God's existence to be ultimately unknowable2 5.

Key Differences

Existence of God: Deists affirm the existence of a Supreme Being through rational reasoning, while agnostics do not take a stance on whether God exists or not, considering it unknowable.
Source of Knowledge: Deists rely on empirical reason and observation of nature to infer God's existence, whereas agnostics reject the idea that such knowledge can be obtained through any means.
Divine Intervention: Deists generally believe that God does not intervene in the universe after its creation, while agnostics do not make any claims about God's actions or existence.

In summary, deism involves a belief in a non-intervening God based on reason and natural observation, whereas agnosticism involves a skepticism about the possibility of knowing whether God exists at all.