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| The term '''atheism''' is derived from the Greek prefix ''a'' (meaning "without" or "not") and the Greek ''theos'' meaning ], giving the literal definition of atheism as someone who is without a god, or someone who is not a ]. In common use, it means the belief that no god exists. Most ] and ] use this term to refer to the belief that the ] God (as described in the ]) does not exist. | The term '''atheism''' is derived from the Greek prefix ''a'' (meaning "without" or "not") and the Greek ''theos'' meaning ], giving the literal definition of atheism as someone who is without a god, or someone who is not a ]. In common use, it means the belief that no god exists. Most ] and ] use this term to refer to the belief that the ] God (as described in the ]) does not exist. | ||
| ⚫ | As understood within the philosophical tradition, "atheism" is contrasted with both ] (the belief that |
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| ⚫ | The above broad definition of atheism does not distinguish between |
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| ⚫ | As understood within the philosophical tradition, "atheism" is contrasted with both ] (the belief that one or more gods exist) and with ] (the belief that it is impossible to know for sure whether or not God exists). Atheists, agnostics, and ] (who believe that "God"-talk is nonsense) can generally be described as ''nonbelievers''. | ||
| ⚫ | *"]" 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. | ||
| ⚫ | *"]" is the lack of a god-belief or someone who is not a theist, a position which is only slightly different from ]. "Negative atheist" is synonymous, or nearly so, with "nonbeliever." | ||
| ⚫ | The above broad definition of atheism does not distinguish between ] and ] atheism, which is commonly drawn within the ] tradition (as distinguished from the philosophical tradition). | ||
| ⚫ | *"]" (sometimes called ''strong'' 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. | ||
| ⚫ | *"]" (sometimes called ''weak'' atheism) is the lack of a god-belief or someone who is not a theist, a position which is only slightly different from ]. "Negative atheist" is synonymous, or nearly so, with "nonbeliever." | ||
| 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. | 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. | ||
| <h3>Arguments for atheism</h3> | <h3>Arguments for atheism</h3> | ||
| * ] -- 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. | * ] -- 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. | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ]] | * ]] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| See ] for further discussion. | See ] for further discussion. | ||
| <h3>Atheism as a popular movement</h3> | <h3>Atheism as a popular movement</h3> | ||
| 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 ] (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 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 ] (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. | ||
| <h3>Atheism throughout history</h3> | <h3>Atheism throughout history</h3> | ||
| <i>Please feel free to contribute to the history of atheism, or any other part of this entry.</i> | <i>Please feel free to contribute to the history of atheism, or any other part of this entry.</i> | ||
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| See also: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | See also: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | ||
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Revision as of 02:04, 22 December 2001
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, or someone who is not a theist. In common use, it means the belief that no god exists. Most Christians and Jews use this term to refer to the belief that the Judeo-Christian God (as described in the Bible) does not exist.
As understood within the philosophical tradition, "atheism" 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.
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 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 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."
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 nonexistance of a good God. This argument is commonly used in reference to the Judeo-Christian God.
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.
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See also: secularism, philosophy of religion, the rationality of atheism, listing of noted atheists, agnosticism, naturalism, theism, deism
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