Basics About Atheism & Agnosticism: What They Are and Are Not

By Austin Cline, About.com Guide to Agnosticism / Atheism

Never has such a simple concept provoked so much misinformation, myths, and bigotry. Atheism is just the absence of belief in gods — nothing more, nothing less. Beyond that atheists may believe or disbelieve absolutely anything, but religious theists continually insist that atheism is much more than disbelief in gods and that atheists necessarily hold to philosophies like nihilism or communism. Atheists are even targets of bigotry like claims that atheists cannot be moral, cannot understand beauty, or cannot have meaning in their lives. A lot of very basic information about atheism and atheists is needed.

What is Atheism? How is Atheism Defined?
What is Agnosticism?
Who Are Atheists? What Do Atheists Believe?
Myths About Atheism & Atheists
Why Do Atheists Debate Theists? Is Atheism Better than Theism?

What if You Are Wrong? Aren't You Afraid of Hell? Can You Take the Chance?
Bigotry & Discrimination Against Atheists & Godless Liberalism in America
Fundamentalist & Militant Atheism Don't Exist
Revealing Your Atheism
Advice for Atheists

What is Atheism? How is Atheism Defined?

It is strange that atheism would be so difficult to understand, but it must be - otherwise, there wouldn't be so many arguments over what it means, what it entails, and what significance it has for society. The same questions and same arguments keep coming up over and over again: what is atheism? What is theism? What is the difference between belief and disbelief? Is atheism anti-religion? Who has the burden of proof in debates? Is atheism morally and intellectually significant?

What is Agnosticism?

The term agnosticism is used primarily for a single issue: do any gods exist or not? Those who disclaim knowledge of gods or even that such knowledge is possible are labeled agnostics. There are many misconceptions about agnosticism, agnostics, and the reasons why anyone would adopt agnosticism in the first place. This is unfortunate, because whether agnosticism is conceived of as a philosophy or simply an isolated position on the existence of gods, it is eminently reasonable and defensible.

Who Are Atheists? What Do Atheists Believe?

There are a lot of misunderstandings about who atheists are, what they believe, and what they don't believe. People become atheists for many different reasons. Being an atheist isn't a choice or act of will - like theism, it's a consequence of what one knows and how one reasons. Atheists are not all angry, they aren't in denial about gods, and they aren't atheists to avoid taking responsibility for their acts. It's not necessary to be afraid of hell and there are advantages to being an atheist.

Myths About Atheism & Atheists

There are many myths and misconceptions about what atheism entails and who atheists are - not surprising, since even the basic definition of atheism is so misunderstood. Many of the myths and misconceptions addressed here will follow a similar pattern, exposing fallacious reasoning, faulty premises, or both. These arguments need to be identified as the fallacies they really are because that is the only way genuine arguments and dialog can be made possible.

Why Do Atheists Debate Theists? Is Atheism Better than Theism?

People might legitimately wonder why atheists debate religious theists over the validity of both theism and religion. Atheism is only the disbelief in gods; this means that some atheists may themselves be religious while others may not care about either theism or religion. In practice, though, atheists are interested in both theism and religion, commonly regarding both as not only false but harmful to people and society. Atheists care because religion and theism affect them as well.

What if You Are Wrong? Aren't You Afraid of Hell? Can You Take the Chance?

One common logical fallacy is argumentum ad baculum, which literally translated means "argument to the stick" and which is commonly translated to mean "appeal to force." With this fallacy, an argument is accompanied by the threat of violence if the conclusions are not accepted. Many religions are based upon just such an tactic: if you don't accept this religion, you will be punished either by adherents now or in some afterlife. If this is how a religion treats its own adherents, it's not a surprise that arguments employing this tactic or fallacy are offered to nonbelievers as a reason to convert.

Bigotry & Discrimination Against Atheists & Godless Liberalism in America

Godless atheists are the most despised and discriminated against minority in America. They face bigotry in a wide variety of ways and when it's known that they are godless or secular, their views on various political and social views may be immediately dismissed. Religion generally and Christianity in particular benefit from widespread privileges, but godless atheists can make a difference if they want. There are ways to fight and to promote justice for themselves as well as other secularists.

Fundamentalist & Militant Atheism Don't Exist

More and more people are responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a 'fundamentalist' atheist. Atheists are told that they are 'intolerant' when they criticize religion and that they should show more respect to religious believers. In reality, these complaints are more about how atheists are ceasing to be deferential and obsequious towards religion and religious beliefs. Atheists are unapologetic about their atheism - as they should be.

Revealing Your Atheism

Many atheists hide their atheism from friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family because they are afraid of the reactions of others if they find out. So many religious theists, especially Christians, are intolerant of atheism and atheists that atheists are forced to hide their true feelings. It would be better if more atheists could and did come out of the closet, but they need to be prepared.

Advice for Atheists

People have a lot of questions about atheism and atheists, but such questions don't just come from theists. Atheists also have questions - not only about the nature of atheism and what other atheists think, but about how they should deal with theists, how to deal with telling others about their atheism, marriages, funerals, children, etc.

Austin Cline
Atheism Guide

Sign up for my Newsletter

Agnosticism / Atheism