Some people think de-converting is a form of converting...

I personally think de-converting by definition is the OPPOSITE of converting.

What do YOU think?

Personally I think it can be viewed pretty much every way. It depends on too many unknowns, and also the agreement on the definition of atheism (which will never happen). I really don't care for the word; if someone stops believing in something I'd call that de-converting, but others will disagree.

(October 5, 2008 at 8:41 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Personally I think it can be viewed pretty much every way. It depends on too many unknowns, and also the agreement on the definition of atheism (which will never happen). I really don't care for the word; if someone stops believing in something I'd call that de-converting, but others will disagree.

I do agree that most people think it's kind of a subjective thing.

But also I'd say that by definition....atheism - as you know - just means not a theist....absence of theism.... atheism is as similar to theism as non-astrology is to astrology.

So on a similar note; I'd say that someone de-converted just means someone who no longer has a faith.....you can't convert TO atheism because you can't convert to non-faith.... because to convert means to give faith not to take it away....whether an atheist has been given faith or a theist's faith has been replaced with another faith.

I'd say there is a definition for atheism....it simply means non-theist. Absence of theism. Even disliking religion is not part of the definition.

The idea that atheism means non-theism....is just as clear as the idea that uncopyrightable means not-copyrightable... or that unknown means not-known.

Put simply, an atheist is to a theist what unmarked is to marked.

Heh, I quite like that last line

I think "convert" loses meaning with respect to atheism. I mean, it's like the difference between changing outfits and stripping naked.

Thanks for making me laugh

(October 5, 2008 at 10:50 pm)Meatball Wrote: I think "convert" loses meaning with respect to atheism. I mean, it's like the difference between changing outfits and stripping naked.

I agree MB.

PS: Stewart - I think even if you're de-conversion was sudden like a conversion... I still don't think it's a form of conversion... I think it's the opposite. I think a sudden de-conversion is still the opposite of a conversion; regardless of how quick it is. Losing religious ideas suddenly; is not the same as suddenly believing in a new faith (or your first faith).

That's what I think anyway.

P.P.S: As I said... the definition of atheist is: Non-theist; not a theist. That's what a-thesit means....that defnition is just as accurate as any other accurate definition. It's just as accurate as the definiton of unmarked; it means non-marked; not marked. It's very clear and very accurate. The idea that an atheist is someone who dislikes or even hates God is a misconception...that's not the definiton of atheist; in any shape or form. JUST as the definiton of car-alarm is not: marsupial - in any shape or form...(excluding utter, utter absurdness that I can't even think of right now).