Explicit atheism is defined as the absence of theism or the absence of belief in gods after consciously considering the possibility then deliberately rejecting it. The definition of explicit atheism comes from George H. Smith who described it as "the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it." There is some overlap with positive atheism, strong atheism, anti-theism, and critical atheism.
Explicit atheism is thus a type of atheism based on the reason why a person doesn't believe in any gods. As to the reason why an explicit atheist rejects belief in the existence of gods, George H. Smith notes that they may be rational or irrational — there is nothing about being explicit atheism which necessarily makes one more rational.
"Explicit atheism is the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it."
- George H. Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
