Methodological atheism

See Non-theism for the distinction between deism, atheism and agnosticism. Methodological atheism or agnosticism is a self-imposed discipline of scientists when they seek scientific explanations for phenomena. Clearly to say "God did it" is not a scientific explanation; neither is "God might have done it". A scientist who offers an explanation for any phenomenon that depends on God in any way is not practising good scientific methodology, whether or not s/he believes in any god. For this reason the scientific method is to work as though there is no god (methodological atheism) or as though knowledge about God is unattainable (methodological agnosticism).

See also "methodological naturalism" on the Naturalism page.