The question was just posed to me on facebook.
The dictionary defines an "atheist" as someone who believes there is no god.
However, I fervently argue that an "atheism" is simply a disbelief.
My reasons for the discrepancy with an objective source (the dictionary) are as follows:
_____
Although "atheism" is simply a disbelief (not a belief) the "atheist", the person who "holds" that disbelief, automatically has to defer to the antithesis of "god exists" (i.e. "god does NOT exist").
The dictionary is simply supplying us with the logical outcome of atheism.
However, it is important to note that while atheists technically have a belief concerning god, it is not something they choose. It is the only other option if they wish to reject a belief in god (since "agnostic", strictly speaking, is not an option when defining belief).
Most atheists are quite open to hearing evidence for god; we have not rejected the possibility that god exists. We simply, at the present time, do not have enough evidence to commit us to belief. We do not hold a single thing worthy of belief unless there is demonstrable, falsifiable evidence for it; this goes for everything from gravity to ghosts.
There are some atheists, however, who DO think that god is actually disprove by science and god is a scientific impossibility. Atheists such as myself prefer to disassociate ourselves from such atheists, calling them "strong atheists", and ourselves "weak atheists".
This is usually not too much of an issue, so "atheist" usually does just fine.
Because of our disbelief, however, we will operate as if there is no god; we will refer to god as a fictional deity, in the same way many people refer to ghosts as delusions or optical illusions.
That is the long answer. The short answer to your question is "An atheist".
_____
Can anyone spot a flaw in this answer, or have a better one?
I am conversing with an intellectually curious theist who is actually stopping to listen and hear what I have to say; so let's give them a good answer.
The dictionary defines an "atheist" as someone who believes there is no god.
However, I fervently argue that an "atheism" is simply a disbelief.
My reasons for the discrepancy with an objective source (the dictionary) are as follows:
_____
Although "atheism" is simply a disbelief (not a belief) the "atheist", the person who "holds" that disbelief, automatically has to defer to the antithesis of "god exists" (i.e. "god does NOT exist").
The dictionary is simply supplying us with the logical outcome of atheism.
However, it is important to note that while atheists technically have a belief concerning god, it is not something they choose. It is the only other option if they wish to reject a belief in god (since "agnostic", strictly speaking, is not an option when defining belief).
Most atheists are quite open to hearing evidence for god; we have not rejected the possibility that god exists. We simply, at the present time, do not have enough evidence to commit us to belief. We do not hold a single thing worthy of belief unless there is demonstrable, falsifiable evidence for it; this goes for everything from gravity to ghosts.
There are some atheists, however, who DO think that god is actually disprove by science and god is a scientific impossibility. Atheists such as myself prefer to disassociate ourselves from such atheists, calling them "strong atheists", and ourselves "weak atheists".
This is usually not too much of an issue, so "atheist" usually does just fine.
Because of our disbelief, however, we will operate as if there is no god; we will refer to god as a fictional deity, in the same way many people refer to ghosts as delusions or optical illusions.
That is the long answer. The short answer to your question is "An atheist".
_____
Can anyone spot a flaw in this answer, or have a better one?
I am conversing with an intellectually curious theist who is actually stopping to listen and hear what I have to say; so let's give them a good answer.
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