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The term atheism is derived from the Greek prefix a (meaning "without" or "not") and the Greek theos meaning god, giving the literal definition of atheism as someone who is without a god. There are various ways of using the term. Philosophers generally use the word to mean the view that God does not exist; self-described atheists among the general population, however, sometime extend the use to include the mere lack of belief that God does exist, or an absence of supernaturalism.

As understood within the philosophical tradition, "atheism" means belief that God does not exist, and thus the view is contrasted with both theism (the belief that one or more gods 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. Philosophers, in introducing the philosophy of religion, often point out that it is important to distinguish between these two statements: "I do not believe that God exists" and "I believe that God does not exist." The first claim is consistent with both agnosticism and atheism; the second is consistent only with atheism.

It is estimated that about 150,000,000 of the world's population classify themselves as atheist, and that about 760,000,000 classify themselves as nonreligious (according to the Encyclopedia Britanica). The numbers are generally higher in European and (formerly) communist countries, and lower in the United States and developing countries.

The above broad definition of atheism does not distinguish between positive and negative atheism, which is commonly drawn within the freethinking tradition (as distinguished from the philosophical tradition).

• "Positive atheism" (sometimes called strong or explicit atheism) is the positive assertion (or belief) that God (or some gods, or all gods) does not exist--that is, a positive atheist may assert that the Judeo-Christian God does not exist, or that all gods do not exist.
• "Negative atheism" (sometimes called weak or implicit atheism) is the lack of a god-belief or someone who is not a theist, a position which is only slightly different from agnosticism. "Negative atheist" is synonymous, or nearly so, with "nonbeliever" or nontheist.

Furthermore, an atheist can be both a positive atheist with respect to the Judeo-Christian God and a negative atheist with respect to any other gods.

Arguments for atheism

• The problem of evil -- This argument states that the existence of evil proves the nonexistence 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

Many atheists believe that they are generally misunderstood in many societies, and feel that if they openly express their non-theistic points of view they may be mistreated, ostracized, or subject to discrimination. For example, even in the officially-secular United States, George Bush said during his 1988 presidental campaign , "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." 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