Use Your Words Properly

A Theist BELIEVES that there's a god (full stop)

An Atheist BELIEVES that there’s no god (full stop);

A Gnostic KNOWS OF, AND ACCEPTS, a claim presented (full stop)
An Agnostic HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF, AND REJECTS, a claim presented (full stop).

The word “Agnostic” has to be specific to a claim. One can’t just say that they are agnostic PERIOD. Thus, I am an atheist and an agnostic TO THE SPECIFIC CLAIM THAT THERE IS A GOD. I am agnostic about many claims, and a gnostic about many claims.

Making Positive Words Negative

Language is fluid. The meaning of words can change so rapidly that, unless one is regularly deeply into social media, one may be confused and defensive when someone uses a word that was initially positive in a negative manner. For example, religious apologists may criticize atheists for using science in a positive way by pejoratively saying that such is "scientism." Likewise, people who are active in the causes of social justice may be labeled pejoratively as "social justice warriors", being "woke", or are promoting "cancel culture." The following links push back against the pejorative uses of these words:

In Defense of Scientism

In Defense of "Social Justice Warriors"

What Does "Woke" Mean?, How the word 'woke' was weaponised by the Right

In Defense of Cancel Culture, What is cancel culture?, In Defense of Cancel Culture, Complications and All,

A final word on this topic: generally, I don't support de-platforming speakers on college campuses as long as they are respectful AND are not allowed to spew hatred and/or blatantly un-scientific propaganda. In other words, truth and falsehoods are not equivalent. A college campus should be supporting critical/science-based thinking and, thus, should not be obligated to allow the latter to speak.