Defining Atheism as Not Worshipping Gods: Atheism Is About Worship, Not Belief?
Wednesday August 27, 2008
Some have argued that rather than define atheism as the absence of belief in gods, it makes more sense to define atheism as not worshipping any gods. There are advantages and disadvantages to this idea. A principle advantage is the fact that there is no need to go through contortions when it comes to apparently "real" gods, like a tree or Caesar. A principle disadvantage is the fact that it allows for a person to be an atheist but to believe that some god exists — an apparent contradiction.
Read Article: Defining Atheism as Not Worshipping Gods: Atheism Is About Worship, Not Belief?
Comments
Then wouldn’t that fall under the heading of Agnosticism? If not, then make up a new word because that definitely isn’t Atheism.
Exactly what would be the benefits of redefining Atheism as not worshiping a god rather than believing in one? That some people would not misunderstand or misrepresent Atheism? They’re going to do it anyways!
Well, the advantages and disadvantages are discussed at some length in the article. Did you follow the link?
Yes, I read the article. But as I said, the only advantages you seemed to mention were that some people would understand atheism better. But people who misrepresent atheism will do so regardless of its definition. So it would not change anything really.
I don’t mention that at all. Removing one possible source of confusion might or might not lead to less confusion, but I don’t argue that it will or that it’s an advantage. I do discuss how some alleged gods exist. I also discuss the fact that behavior can be more indicative of what a person thinks than statements about (dis)belief. I also mention the fact that the question of worship is something which separates atheists from theists and therefore should probably receive more attention, redefinition or no.
I think this is a valuable idea. Perhaps this definition could be applied to ‘nontheist’, which seems to me to not be rigidly defined as yet.
All right, with “non-theism” I could accept that definition.