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That's it. That says it all. If a person says that they reject the existence of deities then they have an absence of belief in deities and they satisfy the definition of an atheist. A person who claims to be neutral on the subject of the existence of a deity or deities, but is absent any particular belief in a deity satisfies the definition of an atheist.
The word "atheist" still has a negative connection in western culture, although that is dissipating as non belief slowly moves towards becoming a majority position. As a result many who have no established belief in a deity or deities eschew the term atheist, and simply reply that they have no religious beliefs when asked. Because many devout believers still associate atheism with evil, or even Satanism. And this is simply the tenancy of believers to superimpose their view of reality on those who do not share their beliefs.
So there it is. To be an atheist is to be absent a belief in the existence of a deity, or deities. So, for you believers, try to understand that atheists don't subscribe to a belief in God in EXACTLY the same way that believers and non believers alike don't subscribe to a belief in Zeus, Santa Claus, or the Easter bunny.
That's it. That says it all. If a person says that they reject the existence of deities then they have an absence of belief in deities and they satisfy the definition of an atheist. A person who claims to be neutral on the subject of the existence of a deity or deities, but is absent any particular belief in a deity satisfies the definition of an atheist.
The word "atheist" still has a negative connection in western culture, although that is dissipating as non belief slowly moves towards becoming a majority position. As a result many who have no established belief in a deity or deities eschew the term atheist, and simply reply that they have no religious beliefs when asked. Because many devout believers still associate atheism with evil, or even Satanism. And this is simply the tenancy of believers to superimpose their view of reality on those who do not share their beliefs.
So there it is. To be an atheist is to be absent a belief in the existence of a deity, or deities. So, for you believers, try to understand that atheists don't subscribe to a belief in God in EXACTLY the same way that believers and non believers alike don't subscribe to a belief in Zeus, Santa Claus, or the Easter bunny.
take personalities, list them, and predict how they will express atheism/theism.
more specifically. Take the personality traits we assign fundy theist.
How would an atheist with those traits express atheism. would see that those predictions play out in discussions?
There are differing personality traits among atheists, this is true. But if a person does not subscribe to a belief in a deity or deities than they are an atheist. It's really that simple.
There are differing personality traits among atheists, this is true. But if a person does not subscribe to a belief in a deity or deities than they are an atheist. It's really that simple.
We need to inform some atheist that believing in something more is also atheism.
so love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. Alone with "policing your own first is believing in make believe?
I know when I talk to Christians, telling them love, compassion, and forgiveness is make believe it just doesn't end well.
how and when it did it change for you?
I was confused by the contradictions in Christian doctrine that I was being exposed to as a child. When I was thirteen I concluded that the various contradictions rendered Christian doctrine to silly to be valid. I also concluded that the entire concept of God was nothing more than make believe. I was an atheist by default from that point on.
In the simplest terms and from my own experiences with atheists ... atheism is indifference to believing in a deity or a religious hierarchical order. There are very few atheists.
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