Tcg wrote: ↑Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:54 am
"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.
Is this a good definition?
I think the trouble with both these definitions is that they are not particularly meaningful. Reducing atheism to such a broad definition as a lack of belief or the condition of not believing in God/gods inadvertently captures dogs and trees as atheists since they likewise lack a belief in God/gods. One wonders why atheists have, in recent years, watered down the definition of atheism to a lack of belief. I can’t help but think it’s to excuse the atheist from having to defend disbelief.
Even the
American Atheists site where you’ve taken the definition in your signature doesn’t seem to be consistent in its own understanding of atheism. Taken from that site...
”Atheism is one thing: A lack of belief in gods.”
“Atheism is not a belief system nor is it a religion.”
“Atheism is about what you believe.”
If atheism about what you believe (according to the American Atheists it is), then atheism is the belief that God/gods do not exist. If atheism is a lack of belief, then atheism is not about what you believe. But Atheism is about what you believe (according to American Atheists). Therefore, atheism is not a lack of belief.
Things atheists say:
"Is it the case [that torturing and killing babies for fun is immoral]? Prove it." -
Bust Nak
"For the record...I think the Gospels are intentional fiction and Jesus wasn't a real guy." –
Difflugia
"Julius Caesar and Jesus both didn't exist." -
brunumb
"...most atheists have no arguments or evidence to disprove God." –
unknown soldier (a.k.a. the banned member
Jagella)