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| '''Atheism - Technical Definition:''' The Greek prefix 'a' (meaning <i>without</i> and <i>not</i>) gives a simple definition of '''Atheism''' as someone who is without God, or someone who is simply not a ]. | '''Atheism - Technical Definition:''' The Greek prefix 'a' (meaning <i>without</i> and <i>not</i>) gives a simple definition of '''Atheism''' as someone who is without ], or someone who is simply not a ]. | ||
| '''Atheism - Popular Definition:''' The belief that no |
'''Atheism - Popular Definition:''' The belief that no God exists. Typically, in common English usage, "atheism" means the belief that the ] God (as described in the ]) does not exist. | ||
| This |
This broad definition does not distinguish between Strong and Weak atheism, which is needed for a complete understanding of the term. | ||
| "]" is the positive assertion (or belief) that a God (or some gods, or all gods) does not exist -- i.e., a strong atheist may assert that the Judeo-Christian God does not exist, or that ''all'' Gods do not exist. | "]" is the positive assertion (or belief) that a God (or some gods, or all gods) does not exist -- i.e., a strong atheist may assert that the Judeo-Christian God does not exist, or that ''all'' Gods do not exist. | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 30 November 2001
Atheism - Technical Definition: The Greek prefix 'a' (meaning without and not) gives a simple definition of Atheism as someone who is without God, or someone who is simply not a theist.
Atheism - Popular Definition: The belief that no God exists. Typically, in common English usage, "atheism" means the belief that the Judeo-Christian God (as described in the Bible) does not exist.
This broad definition does not distinguish between Strong and Weak atheism, which is needed for a complete understanding of the term.
"Strong atheism" is the positive assertion (or belief) that a God (or some gods, or all gods) does not exist -- i.e., a strong atheist may assert that the Judeo-Christian God does not exist, or that all Gods do not exist.
"Weak atheism" is used to describe someone who does not have a God-belief or someone who is not a theist.
Furthermore, an atheist can be both a strong atheist with respect to the Judeo-Christian God and a weak atheist with respect to any other gods.
Atheism is contrasted with both theism (the belief that God does exist) and with agnosticism (the belief that it is impossible to know for sure whether or not God exists). Atheists, agnostics, and positivists (who believe that "God"-talk is nonsense) can generally be described as nonbelievers.
Arguments for atheism
- The problem of evil -- This argument states that the existence of evil proves the nonexistance of a good God. This argument is commonly used in reference to the Judeo-Christian God.
- Occam's Razor
- The freewill argument for the nonexistence of God
- Atheistic cosmological argument
- Argument from nonbelief
- Incompatible-properties arguments
- Argument from evolution]
- Argument from pain and pleasure
See the rationality of atheism for further discussion.
Atheism as a popular movement
Atheism is generally misunderstood in many societies and those who openly express their non-theistic points-of-view are often mistreated, ostracized and the subjects of discrimination (as is often the case for adherents to minority points-of-view in many parts of the world). Like their religious counterparts, many atheists align themselves with organizations that express or support a non-theistic worldview.
Atheism throughout history
Please feel free to contribute to the history of atheism, or any other part of this entry.
--- See also: secularism, philosophy of religion, the rationality of atheism, listing of noted atheists, agnosticism, naturalism, theism, deism
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