Atheism Basics: How Modern Dictionaries Define Atheism
Tuesday August 19, 2008
What is the definition of atheism? How do atheists define atheism? How do dictionaries define atheism? A common theme throughout the definitions here is the primary use of 'disbelieve' when defining atheism. Some dictionaries drop this, but most comprehensive dictionaries do not.
Read Article: How Modern Dictionaries Define Atheism
Comments
As usual THANK YOU for this. Out of curiosity, I checked my own dictionary last night. It’s a pretty large Websters (one of the huge table ones often kept in libraries. It said, “One who believes god does not exist.” And that was the only entry.
Obviously, this fails to acknowledge those who do not believe god exists, but who might not believe god does not exist. So, I find it acceptable in that I would call “one who believes god does not exist” is an atheist, without doubt; but I find it lacking in that there are those who don’t believe in god’s existence of whom it cannot be said that they “believe god does not exist.”
In another dialogue you had a few weeks back with a poster named “Sinbad”–he accused you of being the pot calling the kettle black because you insisted that one should include “disbelieve” as well as “deny,” whereas he insisted one must reject “disbelieve” and adhere ONLY to “deny.”
My opinion was that this isn’t pot and kettle, since you didn’t reject one definition in deference to another, but were willing to accept the gamut of reliable defintions available; whereas Sinbad wanted to discard reliable definitions that didn’t suit his purpose.
It seems to me that you made an honest effort to be inclusive of not just Sinbad’s preferred definition, but also of all other accepted and used definitions. This is, without question, the most honest and open approach to the issue. Simply denying or ignoring those pieces of information that don’t support our arguments or agendas is called “bias”–and biased arguments are disingenuous.
I’ve said before I appreciate you (and any atheist) combating this sort of bias and disinformation aimed at the atheist community. Thanks again for your unwavering and long-standing service.
Even then, that definition is lacking. Whenever anyone asks me about my beliefs, I always tell them “I’m an atheist, I don’t believe in any gods”. Using the singular “god” makes that particular deity seem special, as if it’s more important not to believe in that one than all the other gods people have made up. Because, if I said “I don’t believe in God” that wouldn’t necessarily make me an atheist. There are plenty of theistic religions that don’t believe in that god.
Joseph, I always say that I reject the notion of a supernatural realm. Would that be the same thing as your position?
Pretty much, yeah. However, “supernatural” is a broad term. A black hole could be considered supernatural, because they defy most understood laws of physics and whatnot. But regarding gods, ghosts, and goblins, it’s all a bunch of malarkey to me.
I agree the singular/plural distinction is a fair one. Thanks for calling that out.
>singular/plural distinction
Tracie, Are you a school teacher?
Joe. Had to think about the black hole. Here is my thought. >IF
it can be shown that black holes exist,then we know that they are natural, even tho they are not well understood. I think I just discovered why the software is dropping part of my post. Is was gobbled up by a black hole!
No, I’m not a school teacher. The prior poster had called out a distinction between singular and plural use of “god” vs. “gods.” I was just responding that it is a fair distinction.
It seems absurd and unfair that I have to accept any definition of myself or my beliefs, based on such a preposterous proposition as god. By calling ourselves “atheists” aren’t we somehow assigning un-earned credibility to the theist idea? The god hypothesis…how on earth is it even still on the table of ideas..?
What should I call myself when I realize that Count Chocula is not living in the soil beneath my lawn?
Who said you did? Accurately noting that you are an atheist doesn’t “define” you or your beliefs based on anything — certainly no more than accurately noting that you are “apolitical” or have an astigmatism.
No.
Popularity.
If belief in such a thing ever becomes popular enough to get its own label, then perhaps disbelief in it will also acquire a label.
Black holes aren’t supernatural. They follow the laws of the universe- just not the version that we are used to. That is what quantum mechanics are for- to deal with singularities and things smaller than atoms.
Michael; I love the “Count Chocula” line. I always come up with similar things when asked why I do not believe. Thanks I needed a good laugh.
What does Labor Day and Faith mean? Have Humans been so ‘busy with Work’ for Resources and ‘Things’, they forgot their ‘Faith’ was to Take Care of GODs Planet, not Kill it?
GOD, the Invisible Maker of the Atom and Electro-Magnetic Force, has Faith in the Work of the Eternal Invisible Elements, to Keep making Visible Element Life as we Know it?
How did GOD Create and have Faith in the He/She Physical Gods, that Supernaturally Created an Eco System, and Visible Life on Earth?
In our Past History, the Peace Male and Female Gods, did Colonize Planet Earth, did fly up in the air, and out into Space in fiery chariots.
The Creator Peace Gods were our Human Ancestor Astronauts, not the Creator GOD of LIFE. The Perfect Creator Male and Female Human Gods of Life on Earths, cannot Create the Universe, and the Planets they Live on.
Will Religious Humans today ‘Know’/Accept, who the Creator GOD of Science, and the Religious Gods in Genesis are?
Will their ‘Faith’, in their Religious Life After Death, let them ‘Continue’ their Human ‘Work’ of Nuclear Destruction, of All GODs LIFE and Gods Life, on Earth?
Eternal Physical Life After Birth, is Not In the Religious Spirit/Ghost Heaven. Even Christians say Humans will be ‘born again’, ‘reincarnated’ into Perfect Physical Human Bodies like Adam, Eve and Jesus, for the Judgement Day Trip, out into Space with Jesus.
At Judgement Day, the Higher Human Species, our Human Ancestors, will make the a Human Choice, like they did with Jesus, who did not have the Religious teachings of Life After Death.
No Matter what Earthly Faith the Saved had, they Will Succeed, or Fall to Body Birth on the New Planet.
Eternal Physical Life is for Living Humans, on Planets, not for the Dead.