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

[William]

[Replying to William in post #169]

It can accommodate any other position, given the correct definition, into:

'correct, but different words',
'incorrect, for whatever reason',
'nothing to do with it, or beside the point'.

Give me any of the 'other positions' and I'll be happy to explain how and where it fits in, or doesn't.

Are you saying that a definition of atheism is dependent upon how any other position defines itself first?

[William]

As an example, lets suppose that to begin with all humans roamed about blithely unaware of any ideas such as existing within a creation or there being a creator.

There would be no requirement for those humans to declare that they were 'atheists' or to define themselves as such

Perhaps if you tell me what description you use re atheism, I can then provide a short list of things and you can tell me whether they do or do not apply to atheism?.

[brunumb]

Ice cream comes in all sorts of flavours, but the bottom line is that they are all still ice cream.

[William]

Ice cream comes in all sorts of flavours, but the bottom line is that they are all still ice cream.

Is this your Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism?

If so, then what is being asked for can be answered as "Ice-cream" and there is no need to further elaborate on what flavors of ice-cream there are, as this only muddies the waters...

"Atheists come in all sorts of shapes and size's and personalities et-al, but the bottom line is that they are all still atheists." isn't much of an attempt to clarify and isn't helpful as an Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism...as it is simply defining atheists as being an assortment of personalities who gather together under the banner of Atheism.

[Tcg]

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #168]

I didn't intend to imply Pascal's Wager. Some assert that atheists are confused about or can't agree what atheism is. That shouldn't be surprising. Many groups can't agree on key details about the group.

My point about Godchecker.com is that you can't find a much larger group who disagrees than theists. I personally think their estimate of almost 4,000 Gods, Goddesses and Spirits is low. Even if you limited your query to only Christain theists and asked what they think God is, you'd get quite a hodgepodge of descriptions of the Christian God. Ask one hundred and you may get close to a hundred different answers.

ETA: On this forum I've noticed not all Christians agree on what name to call their God. English speaking theists can't even agree on how to spell that word. I've seen God, GOD, and G-d. You'd think at least that one would be easy.

Tcg

[TRANSPONDER]

[Replying to Tcg in post #175]

Quite. I did add an edit to say that I wasn't saying that you had it in mind. It was more an aspect that occurred to me.

[Replying to William in post #169]

It can accommodate any other position, given the correct definition, into:

'correct, but different words',
'incorrect, for whatever reason',
'nothing to do with it, or beside the point'.

Give me any of the 'other positions' and I'll be happy to explain how and where it fits in, or doesn't.

Are you saying that a definition of atheism is dependent upon how any other position defines itself first?

No. Rather other defined (or described) positions are rendered accurate, inaccurate or irrelevant in relation to the definition that best fits atheism as decided by atheists.

As an example, lets suppose that to begin with all humans roamed about blithely unaware of any ideas such as existing within a creation or there being a creator.

There would be no requirement for those humans to declare that they were 'atheists' or to define themselves as such

Perhaps if you tell me what description you use re atheism, I can then provide a short list of things and you can tell me whether they do or do not apply to atheism?.

Sure, go for it. And it is an Atheist Axiom (I recall) that, if there was no Theism, there would be no atheism. Or to make the idea clear, if theism stopped being a Thing in society, there would be no need for atheist activism. The ideal of atheism is for us to stop having to do this.

[TRANSPONDER]

Ice cream comes in all sorts of flavours, but the bottom line is that they are all still ice cream.

True...though on one of those Cooking Shows that I used to watch, some Chef came up with Roquefort Ice Cream. Something in my gut told me that really wasn't ice Cream at all, but then ....

"No I don't think I ever tried that."

"Ah, well...."

"Don't think I ever will, either." (Fawlty towers

Ice cream comes in all sorts of flavours, but the bottom line is that they are all still ice cream.

Is this your Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism?

If so, then what is being asked for can be answered as "Ice-cream" and there is no need to further elaborate on what flavors of ice-cream there are, as this only muddies the waters...

"Atheists come in all sorts of shapes and size's and personalities et-al, but the bottom line is that they are all still atheists." isn't much of an attempt to clarify and isn't helpful as an Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism...as it is simply defining atheists as being an assortment of personalities who gather together under the banner of Atheism.

It is actually quite helpful and I was waiting for someone to bring the point up. Atheism is just one simple thing - non belief in any god. It can be written many ways, rejection of the god -claim, disbelief in deities. The idea is the same. Atheists may not be. We come in all flavours, apatheists (don't care) atheist activists (just gotta do something about it) tabula rasa atheists (haven't thought about it) Atheist authorities (have thought about it but sometimes not enough, it seems). Even Not Real Atheists sometimes called sheep in wolfs' clothing.

p.s Thanks dudes and dudesses for all the thanks. I couldn't appreciate it more if it it was dollars...

[William]

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #168]

I didn't intend to imply Pascal's Wager. Some assert that atheists are confused about or can't agree what atheism is. That shouldn't be surprising. Many groups can't agree on key details about the group.

My point about Godchecker.com is that you can't find a much larger group who disagrees than theists. I personally think their estimate of almost 4,000 Gods, Goddesses and Spirits is low. Even if you limited your query to only Christain theists and asked what they think God is, you'd get quite a hodgepodge of descriptions of the Christian God. Ask one hundred and you may get close to a hundred different answers.

ETA: On this forum I've noticed not all Christians agree on what name to call their God. English speaking theists can't even agree on how to spell that word. I've seen God, GOD, and G-d. You'd think at least that one would be easy.

Tcg

I would expect that from theism.

Complaining that atheists should get the same treatment when atheism is simply a "no gods exist" position, simplifies things to that level.
Therefore there is no reason why atheists shouldn't have an Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism that they all agree with, never mind the personalities. Atheism isn't about the personalities of atheists or their opinions on theism.

[William]

William: Perhaps if you tell me what description you use re atheism, I can then provide a short list of things and you can tell me whether they do or do not apply to atheism?.

[Replying to TRANSPONDER in post #176]

Sure, go for it.

As soon as you provide your definition, I will.

[TRANSPONDER]

[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.