• 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.

The Original Atheist

Southwind17

Philosopher
Southwind17
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
5,154
It's just struck me what a bizarre word 'atheism' (and its derivatives) is. Atheism: disbelief in the existence of a god.

Are there many other words that relate to disbelief in something? It would seem to me to suggest that the word 'atheism' was probably devised by god worshipers, presumably with a disingenuous connotation, to say the least. If so, it would seem ironic that we 'atheists' not only acknowledge the word but use it to refer to ourselves.

I was asked during a discussion recently if I am an atheist. I, somewhat uncomfortably, but unhesitatingly, replied 'yes' (I've never been asked before). I would have felt much more comfortable replying with something like: 'I don't wish to be categorized, but I certainly don't believe in a god', had I had the presence of mind, but at the same time that would feel like I'm trying to avoid using the 'A' word because it's stigmatical to many.

In any event, why should we pidgeon-hole ourselves because of a word that somebody else, or body of people, devised, regardless of their motive? Why do we even need such a word? I'd much rather be asked: 'Do you believe in god?', rather than: 'Are you an atheist?'. If I choose not to believe in something there shouldn't need to be a word for that. I don't believe in the Loch Ness monster, but I don't think there's a word covering that, is there?

Any views?
 
I would reply: "I prefer to call myself a non-theist, since too many people refuse to understand the meaning of the a- prefix."

I seem to only get asked that question by drunks at the bar.

-David
 
Southwind17 said:
In any event, why should we pidgeon-hole ourselves because of a word that somebody else, or body of people, devised, regardless of their motive?
Click to expand...

We shouldn't. Too many others are only too willing to do that for us.

Southwind17 said:
Why do we even need such a word?
Click to expand...

To separate "Us" from "Not Us" -- a territorial imperative (I think).

Southwind17 said:
If I choose not to believe in something there shouldn't need to be a word for that. I don't believe in the Loch Ness monster, but I don't think there's a word covering that, is there?
Click to expand...

There is no such word, unless you run a tourists' concession at Loch Ness, and then the word might be "Cheap" or "Stingy."

I like the term "Non-Theist" but use "Atheist" because I don't have to explain the difference.
 
It's a word. Any stigma attached to it is placed there by people intolerant of what it stands for. Change the word and the intolerance will follow it.

I'm probably dating myself, here, but this reminds me of when I was growing up when the "proper" term for black people changed about every couple of years.

First it was "negro" (okay, that one was a bit before my time), then "colored", then "black", then "African-American". Each time the intolerance followed. They didn't hate the word, they hated the people it stood for.

You can call yourself "atheist", "non-theist", "antheist" or "rupert". It won't matter as long as there is intolerance for people who don't believe in god.

I think following the example of gays who successfully took back "queer" (and to a lesser extent "fag") would be a better approach. Gain tolerance for the position and it won't matter what they call you.

As for why we even have a word, it's just easier than explicitly stating the position every time. That it is unique in being a word for describing a non-belief is a result of how rare the position is.
 
Last edited:
I used to be an atheist. But lately I have become an anti-theist.
 
frank462 said:
I used to be an atheist. But lately I have become an anti-theist.
Click to expand...

I used to be big-headed, but now I'm perfect (sorry, couldn't resist that one ;))

'Atheist' and 'anti-theist' are completely different words with completely different meanings, to my mind. 'Anti-theist', to me, sounds discriminatory against theists. Is this what you mean, or do you use 'anti-theist' as a synonym for 'atheist'? If the latter, why?
 
I started a thread in a similar vein a little while ago, being equally uncomfortable with the term because it didn't really seem to say what I wanted it to say. I'm not sure about the practicalities of labelling atheists as we're such a disparate group - it kind of comes with the territory.

Sometime after that thread died a death, I came to the conclusion that what I actually am is a Monist
 
Southwind17 said:
I used to be big-headed, but now I'm perfect (sorry, couldn't resist that one ;))

'Atheist' and 'anti-theist' are completely different words with completely different meanings, to my mind. 'Anti-theist', to me, sounds discriminatory against theists. Is this what you mean, or do you use 'anti-theist' as a synonym for 'atheist'? If the latter, why?
Click to expand...

I use anti-theist to mean someone who not only does not believe in a "god" but also is opposed to all superstitious, religious beliefs. Where as an atheist is simply someone who does not believe in a "god".
 
frank462 said:
I use anti-theist to mean someone who not only does not believe in a "god" but also is opposed to all superstitious, religious beliefs. Where as an atheist is simply someone who does not believe in a "god".
Click to expand...

I'd be very careful with that word and definition, then, if I were you. I'm entirely happy not believing in god, and I hold certain views about adults generally who do believe in god (please don't read too much into that). But to claim to be anti-theist is IMO dangerous and inflammatory, unless you're deliberately seeking to be provocative.
 
frank462 said:
I use anti-theist to mean someone who not only does not believe in a "god" but also is opposed to all superstitious, religious beliefs. Where as an atheist is simply someone who does not believe in a "god".
Click to expand...


Southwind17 said:
I'd be very careful with that word and definition, then, if I were you. I'm entirely happy not believing in god, and I hold certain views about adults generally who do believe in god (please don't read too much into that). But to claim to be anti-theist is IMO dangerous and inflammatory, unless you're deliberately seeking to be provocative.
Click to expand...

I sometimes like to stir the pot in an attempt to wake people from their religious induced coma. Besides, what is REALLY dangerous are fanatics killing people in the name of their imaginary "god". That has got to be stopped for the good of all humanity.
 
frank462 said:
...what is REALLY dangerous are fanatics killing people in the name of their imaginary "god". That has got to be stopped for the good of all humanity.
Click to expand...
I agree. I have to admit I have not chosen any specific word to describe my beliefs or lack thereof. If asked I say "I don't belong to or agree with any religous organization or belief system."
 
Perhaps 'anti-theismist' (pronunciation gets easier with a few seconds practice!) would be the most appropriate descriptor? I know many theists as friends, and I would take exception to anybody being 'anti' them, per se. It's their beliefs that I believe you object to. Either way, the people I refer to are law-abiding, upstanding citizens. Provided they keep their religious beliefs and views to themselves or like-minded people (unless asked, of course) I'm perfectly OK with that. Oh, and I agree with Dawkins that religous indoctrination of minors should be classed as child abuse!
 
I am atheist -- not AN atheist... Incidentally the word surely has nothing to do with belief or disbelief, but merely means 'not theist'?
 
ChrisH said:
I am atheist -- not AN atheist... Incidentally the word surely has nothing to do with belief or disbelief, but merely means 'not theist'?
Click to expand...

No, you are atheistic, and as such you are an atheist. The clue is in the letters 'ist'. The word 'atheist' surely has everything to do with the opposite of 'theist', which, in short, is everything that theism represents.

What is the sense in having a word that means 'not theist'? We would surely then need words that mean 'not all other words': doctor/adoctor, pilot/apilot, golfer/agolfer, etc.

The word 'atheist' surely serves the role of identifying a person who practices atheism. Think chemist, psychiatrist, optometrist, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom