• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Define “Atheist”

ynot

Philosopher
ynot
Joined
Jan 4, 2006
Messages
9,280
Location
Present
This thread is for the exclusive purpose of debating the meaning of the word “atheist”. It isn’t for debating other words like “agnostic”. Please don’t derail this thread.

Here’s my current definition of “atheist”. I’m happy to change it if anyone comes up with a better one.

An atheist is a person that is not a theist (doesn’t have a belief in a god or gods).

Why a person isn’t a theist isn’t what defines them as an atheist, it’s merely that they’re not a theist that does.
 
ynot said:
This thread is for the exclusive purpose of debating the meaning of the word “atheist”. It isn’t for debating other words like “agnostic”. Please don’t derail this thread.

Here’s my current definition of “atheist”. I’m happy to change it if anyone comes up with a better one.

An atheist is a person that is not a theist (doesn’t have a belief in a god or gods).

Why a person isn’t a theist isn’t what defines them as an atheist, it’s merely that they’re not a theist that does.
Click to expand...

Your definition is incomplete because there are two ways a non-theist can go:
A) I don't know if there are any god(s)
B) I know for certain there are no god(s)
 
I believe gods do not exist. I have posted the reasoning before. I don't simply lack a belief in gods, I believe the evidence is overwhelming there are none.

Time for the human species to evolve beyond primitive beliefs in gods.
 
Fudbucker said:
Your definition is incomplete because there are two ways a non-theist can go:
A) I don't know if there are any god(s)
B) I know for certain there are no god(s)
Click to expand...
So what? Neither are theists, therefore they're both atheists (non-theists if you prefer)
 
Last edited:
Skeptic Ginger said:
I believe gods do not exist. I have posted the reasoning before. I don't simply lack a belief in gods, I believe the evidence is overwhelming there are none.

Time for the human species to evolve beyond primitive beliefs in gods.
Click to expand...
I agree. But what has that got to do with this thread?
 
Fudbucker said:
That's agnostic (or weak atheist, if you don't want to stray from atheism).
Click to expand...
I was wanting to stay away from "agnostic" in this thread.

That defines a type of atheist. As does "is a person who believes there is no God". Defining the make of a car doesn't define what a car is.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
I believe gods do not exist. I have posted the reasoning before. I don't simply lack a belief in gods, I believe the evidence is overwhelming there are none.

Time for the human species to evolve beyond primitive beliefs in gods.
Click to expand...
That you believe gods do not exist is a reason (definition) why you an atheist. It's not a definition of the word atheist. Defining the make of a car doesn't define what a car is.
 
Last edited:
Thor 2 said:
My definition is the same as yours ynot, however I think if you are thinking, you will lay the matter to rest here you will be disappointed.
Click to expand...
I know. Guess I'm a hopeless optimist to even hope that creating threads for word definition debates will in any way prevent word definition debates from derailing other threads. :(
 
ynot said:
That you believe gods do not exist is a reason (definition) why you an atheist. It's not a definition of the word atheist. Defining the make of a car doesn't define what a car is.
Click to expand...

So what is the point of the thread? There are two definitions for atheist, 1) one believes gods don't exist and 2) one believes the word means 'no belief' in gods.

It's a stupid argument (no offense). It's not like you are going to change the fact there are two definitions of the word.


I will go away now. :)
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
So what is the point of the thread? There are two definitions for atheist, 1) one believes gods don't exist and 2) one believes the word means 'no belief' in gods.

It's a stupid argument (no offense). It's not like you are going to change the fact there are two definitions of the word.

I will go away now. :)
Click to expand...
The point of the thread is to argue that . . .

"1)" defines a type of atheist (why the person is an atheist).

and "2)" defines the meaning of the word "atheist" (defines default atheism).

I'm happy if you stay. :)

But I have to go right now. I'll be back.
 
Last edited:
I define as a person who lacks belief in god however there is another accepted definition, a person that believes there is no god. This can cause confusion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom