What Is Atheism

Atheism is, etymologically speaking, a completely rational term. Atheism is to theism what apolitical is to politics. The terms mean not interested in or a part of theism or politics. Atheism is the antithesis of theism.

Rationally atheism is understandable. It isn't easy to wrap one's mind around the creator, Jehovah God. Such a belief requires faith.

By definition atheism is nonsensical. A god can be anyone or anything. Natural, supernatural, person, place or thing, wood, stone, flesh and bone. Even, as Paul said, ones own belly can be a god. There are countless gods. It doesn't require belief, veneration or worship on your part. I don't believe in Zeus; I don't believe he ever existed; I don't venerate or worship Zeus, and yet Zeus is a god.

The definition of atheism as disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods. That's nonsensical.

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newjaninev2 · 56-60, F

You said that a neonate cannot be an atheist because it has no knowledge of a god to choose whether or not to believe in

Being an atheist means not having gods (it’s right there in the word itself)

Belief doesn’t come into it.

No gods = atheist

AkioTsukino · M

@newjaninev2 I actually would concede that. It makes perfect sense. Except for that it (theism) does, at least by definition, require belief. I used to tell atheists in debate that I was an atheist until I was 27 and for some reason beyond my full comprehension they would say I was never an atheist. Gradually i conceded to that because I didn't identify as an atheist. I wasn't militant. And when I thought about it I was more agnostic and irreligious. So I usually prefer the simplified term unbeliever or believer.

But, when the average person thinks of atheist they do think of disbelief, or rejection rather than a lack of gods because you would have to ask yourself how does one have or not have gods? The answer is belief.

Theism is a word apparently first used by Ralph Cudworth in the 17th century. He said theists were: "strictly and properly called Theists, who affirm, that a perfectly conscious understanding being, or mind, existing of itself from eternity, was the cause of all other things."

Having said all of that, I think you present a simple and effective argument, and even though there may be a good enough argument to disagree I could go with either so I will concede.

ElwoodBlues · M

@AkioTsukino
[quote]But, when the average person thinks of ...[/quote]
Really? You want to have a debate about what the average person thinks??? Count me OUT!!!

This message was deleted by its author.

ElwoodBlues · M

@AkioTsukino For a long time, "the average person" thought the Earth was flat. That doesn't make it a worthy topic of debate, [b]LOL!!![/b]

Really · 80-89, M

@AkioTsukino I see someone reacting, a bit dramatically, to another's attempt to validate their own opinion by making a declartaion about what 'the average person' (an abstract concept) 'thinks'.