Is this an Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism?

[Tcg]

.
I recently heard this definition of atheism:

"Atheism is the condition of not believing that a God or deity exists."

I think it is clearer than the one I usually espouse which is that atheism is the lack of belief in god/gods. The only issue I have with is its singular nature. Perhaps, Atheism is the condition of not believing that any gods or deities exist, would be better.

Is this a good definition?


Tcg

[Tcg]

Atheists are unconvinced of the existence of gods.

Yes, eight words that clarify the issue perfectly. Sure, there may be nuances that may be addressed if we get into finer details, although that doesn't change the simple accuracy of this definition and those details are perhaps superfluous. I sometimes quite literally scratch my head when some claim they don't understand or that we are describing ourselves inaccurately.

Maybe this is even simpler:

"God?"

'Nope.'

Two words. Where's the complication in that if it isn't from a desire to paint atheists in a bad light? We stopped eating babies back in the 50s after all [/sarcasm].

Oh, and the definition most definitely isn't those who haven't considered the possibility of gods or haven't considered it enough. Of course, there are some who haven't but that's because they've never heard of the concept of gods. A great deal many of us have considered it deeply. Oh, and oddly enough some theists have never considered it much. They simply accept gods because most of those around them do.


Tcg

[TRANSPONDER]

[Replying to Tcg in post #181]

Thank you, but just saying "God" Nope causes a query

"How about Shiva?" Nope, too. Nope in fact to any gods or any god - claim. so (perforce) we get into god with a lower or upper case means two different things.

So I find non belief in any gods or god -claim is better and no to God means (obviously) Biblegod, but also a wider claim of a cosmic spirit, which covers Brahma as well.

[William]

[Replying to William in post #179]

I thought that had been done several times since the thread was opened: atheist - non- belief in any gods (or better, non belief in any god -claim). Ball in back in your court.

Yes there have been similar suggestions but not every atheist appeared to agree.

Do all atheists hereabouts agree with the definition given above?

[Tcg]

[Replying to Tcg in post #181]

Thank you, but just saying "God" Nope causes a query

"How about Shiva?" Nope, too. Nope in fact to any gods or any god - claim. so (perforce) we get into god with a lower or upper case means two different things.

So I find non belief in any gods or god -claim is better and no to God means (obviously) Biblegod, but also a wider claim of a cosmic spirit, which covers Brahma as well.

Oh, yes, I know it is an oversimplification. I only capitalized it because it was at the beginning of the question. The simplification was perhaps a poor attempt to illustrate that it's really not terribly complicated.


Tcg

[TRANSPONDER]

Yep. Normally atheists would ride with it. but Theist apologists can pick on it. Or maybe not. Since for them, there is only One God that is under discussion they wouldn't think of it. So I'm probably getting paranoid.

[William]

[Replying to Tcg in post #181]

Thank you, but just saying "God" Nope causes a query

"How about Shiva?" Nope, too. Nope in fact to any gods or any god - claim. so (perforce) we get into god with a lower or upper case means two different things.

So I find non belief in any gods or god -claim is better and no to God means (obviously) Biblegod, but also a wider claim of a cosmic spirit, which covers Brahma as well.

Oh, yes, I know it is an oversimplification. I only capitalized it because it was at the beginning of the question. The simplification was perhaps a poor attempt to illustrate that it's really not terribly complicated.


Tcg

I see there is still some fine tuning being done re the OPQ.

Might I suggest using "GODs" as a means of covering all the bases.

[TRANSPONDER]

[Replying to Tcg in post #181]

Thank you, but just saying "God" Nope causes a query

"How about Shiva?" Nope, too. Nope in fact to any gods or any god - claim. so (perforce) we get into god with a lower or upper case means two different things.

So I find non belief in any gods or god -claim is better and no to God means (obviously) Biblegod, but also a wider claim of a cosmic spirit, which covers Brahma as well.

Oh, yes, I know it is an oversimplification. I only capitalized it because it was at the beginning of the question. The simplification was perhaps a poor attempt to illustrate that it's really not terribly complicated.


Tcg

I see there is still some fine tuning being done re the OPQ.

Might I suggest using "GODs" as a means of covering all the bases.

The basic definition is simple but the Q sometimes require explanation. No god -belief (lower case) covers all god -claims, including the God -claim.

How's that list of apposite, inapposite and irrelevant subjects coming along? It may show up some more fine tuning needed.

[William]

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #187]

How's that list of apposite, inapposite and irrelevant subjects coming along? It may show up some more fine tuning needed.

I am waiting for atheists hereabouts to give their approval of your definition I think while I wait, what I might add to the list. I want to keep it down to around 10 items...

[TRANSPONDER]

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #187]

How's that list of apposite, inapposite and irrelevant subjects coming along? It may show up some more fine tuning needed.

I am waiting for atheists hereabouts to give their approval of your definition I think while I wait, what I might add to the list. I want to keep it down to around 10 items...

I am more than happy for anyone, atheist or not, to query or debate the definition - which isn't mine but the consensus - atheist definition. I am not a savant or Authority - I merely transmit the conclusions of those who are.

I take it that we needn't hold our breath waiting that list?

[William]

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #189]

Lets wait at least long enough to give everyone an opportunity to fine-tune the definition. If no one does, within reasonable time, I will post my list.