FAQ: What’s The Definition Of Atheism?

By Ethan Z | December 31, 2009

This is a quick look at the definition of Atheism. The concepts are broken into short paragraphs or points.

Atheism is a term that began to appear with frequency only in modern times

The most common understanding of Atheism is that it is a denial of Theism (theism is the belief in the existence of a personal God who creates the world and exists independently of it).

Looking up the definition of Atheism in the American Heritage Dictionary we find it defined as “1- Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods. 2- The doctrine that there is no God or gods.” *1

It can be argued that the use of words such as “there is no God” by dictionaries defines Atheism from a Theistic point of view; it can also be argued that were dictionaries not influence by Theism that the definition of Atheism would read like this: “A belief that there are no gods.”

The use of the term god in singular form, with a capital G, and the used of words like “doctrine” and “denial” depict how the dictionary definition has been influenced by theistic religions and Christianity where God is written with a capital G and is singular

To say Atheists “deny” that gods exist can be considered biased. “Denial” is the “refusal to believe.” Atheism does not “know there is a god but refuse to believe in him” (or her). If the evidence of gods was insurmountable and provable, and atheists still refused to believe, then that would be an act of denial.

Strong Atheism involve the positive assertion that there is no deity; It is the most common dictionary definition for the term “Atheist,” and is the definition used by most Theists.

Atheism is not a complete religion in the sense that Christianity, Islam, and, Judaism are. However, Atheism is a religious issue because it deals with concepts that are found throughout many religions. Atheism does not have a doctrine at all.

Atheism, like any philosophical standing, or religion, comes in many flavors. At its core, Atheism is usually rooted in the absence of positive evidence for God’s existence.

Atheism, considers it impossible logically to reconcile the idea of an all-powerful and omnibenevolent God with the fact of evil and suffering in the world.

Atheists often promote the belief that all Gods and Goddesses, as well as angels, demons, ghosts, etc., are nonexistent entities created by human minds. That Gods were created in Man’s image (no visa versa).

Atheists accuse Theism of failing to provide adequate evidence for its claims. Here evidence means empirically available and publicly accessible data that might reasonably confirm theistic claims.

Atheism is not perceived to offer a complete guideline for living as do most religions. Atheists derive their own ethics and philosophy of life and worldview using their Atheism as a starting point.

Atheism does not have religious texts, holy books, scriptures or revelations.

Atheist ethics and world views are derived from secular considerations, not from any religious text.

Some Atheists, when asked what their religion is, will answer, simply, “Atheist.” Others will say that they “have no religion, they are an Atheist.”

The antonym of Atheism is Theism. Theism is the belief in the existence of a personal God who creates the world and exists independently of it, or the belief in the existence of a deity. There are thousands of different forms of Theism, just as there are thousands of gods and goddesses that Theists believe in.

The word Atheism itself comes from the Greek atheos, which means “without god.” Notice how the original meaning of the word, based on its Greek origins, mentions nothing about “disbelief” or “denial.” and thus is an unbiased definition and the one that is most simple and accurate.

A single-word definition of Atheism would be the word ”godless.”

Quotes on Atheism:

Anon:

Almost every American denies the existence of Artemis, Baal, Cybele, Fergus, Thor, Wotan, Zeus, and thousands of other gods and goddesses. The difference between a Christian and an Atheist is that an Atheist either denies the existence of the Trinity or has no belief in the Trinity. The difference is truly insignificant. It is only one part in thousands.

Isaac Asimov, from the article “On Religiosity” in Free Inquiry magazine:

Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.

Dan Barker, Author of “Losing Faith in Faith:”

I have something to say to the religionist who feels atheists never say anything positive: You are an intelligent human being. Your life is valuable for its own sake. You are not second-class in the universe, deriving meaning and purpose from some other mind. You are not inherently evil — you are inherently human, possessing the positive rational potential to help make this a world of morality, peace and joy. Trust yourself.

Annie Wood Besant:

No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.

George H.W. Bush, as presidential nominee for the Republican party; 1987-AUG-27:

No, I don’t know that Atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God.

H. Havelock Ellis:

And it is in his own image, let us remember, that Man creates God.

Guy P. Harrison:

…atheism is not a conscious act of turning away from all gods. It is simply the final destination for those who think. …you will be pleased to discover that the sky does not fall down on your head. … if you still want to pray, you can (the success rate of your prayers is unlikely to change).

Doug Jesseph:

As an atheist, I deny the existence of all Gods: those of the Mayans, the Hindu, the Ancient Egyptians, and the God of the Old and New Testaments. If I am right, all of these are fictional constructs invented by clever humans for … a variety of purposes, ranging from psychological comfort to entertainment.

Madalyn Murray (later O’Hair), wrote a document used in the court case Murray v. Curlett, 1961-APR-27. It reads, in part:

An Atheist loves himself and his fellow man instead of a god. An Atheist knows that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth – for all men together to enjoy. An Atheist thinks that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue, and enjoy it. An Atheist thinks that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment. Therefore, he seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist knows that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist knows that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man. He wants an ethical way of life. He knows that we cannot rely on a god nor channel action into prayer nor hope for an end to troubles in the hereafter. He knows that we are our brother’s keeper and keepers of our lives; that we are responsible persons, that the job is here and the time is now.

Sources:


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One Response to “FAQ: What’s The Definition Of Atheism?”

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    FAQ: What is The Definition Of Theism? Says:
    December 31st, 2009 at 10:36 am

    [...] Pantheism Today Exploring Pantheism Skip to content HomeRelated LinksLocal GroupsAm I A Pantheist?FAQ « FAQ: What’s The Definition Of Atheism? [...]

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