What Kind of Atheist are You?

[Alex K]

I used to identify as an agnostic for quite a while until I read more and realised that the idea of proposing there is a 50/50 probability doesn't make logical sense. But I sometimes fear that the word 'atheist' may make people think we are suggesting we know for sure there is no god when that isn't really the case. I'd like if there were a better word which helped to encompass the idea that it's 'atheist because of a lack of evidence to the contrary', not because we know there isn't a god.

I know what you mean. But at the same time, yes, agnostic has this relativist "oh we really don't know anything" vibe which undersells the atheist position.

[One Above All]

I used to identify as an agnostic for quite a while until I read more and realised that the idea of proposing there is a 50/50 probability doesn't make logical sense. But I sometimes fear that the word 'atheist' may make people think we are suggesting we know for sure there is no god when that isn't really the case. I'd like if there were a better word which helped to encompass the idea that it's 'atheist because of a lack of evidence to the contrary', not because we know there isn't a god.

That position is commonly called "agnostic atheism".

[robvalue]

Does it make sense to say ignostic/agnostic apatheist atheist?

Ignostic and agnostic are both dependent on the claim. As is atheist actually. So the only thing always left is apatheist.

How about a-bollocks.

[Alex K]

I used to identify as an agnostic for quite a while until I read more and realised that the idea of proposing there is a 50/50 probability doesn't make logical sense. But I sometimes fear that the word 'atheist' may make people think we are suggesting we know for sure there is no god when that isn't really the case. I'd like if there were a better word which helped to encompass the idea that it's 'atheist because of a lack of evidence to the contrary', not because we know there isn't a god.

That position is commonly called "agnostic atheism".

I know, but I decided that I still don't like it. Adding "agnostic" makes it sound like I'm more uncertain than I really am.

[Longhorn]

I'm an agnostic agnostic cos I'm not sure if I'm agnostic

[robvalue]

You don't know whether or not you don't know?

Try another bang on the head, that normally resets it.

[One Above All]

That position is commonly called "agnostic atheism".

I know, but I decided that I still don't like it. Adding "agnostic" makes it sound like I'm more uncertain than I really am.

Maybe to the uneducated ("agnostic" just means you're uncertain; it doesn't say how uncertain you are), but do you really care what they think?

[robvalue]

Probably quickest to just say to the theist "Make your claim."

Try not to laugh until they've definitely finished. You could have a series of cards to hold up.

That would be good for debates actually. Have logical fallacies written on cards, so when your opponent rants on for 45 minutes talking garbage, you can hold up the cards at the relevant points to identify the problems. Particularly good if it's being recorded.

[Alex K]

I know, but I decided that I still don't like it. Adding "agnostic" makes it sound like I'm more uncertain than I really am.

Maybe to the uneducated ("agnostic" just means you're uncertain; it doesn't say how uncertain you are), but do you really care what they think?

Yes, it's important to me what they think of my views. The theists should be at least a little bit pissed off at my relative certainty that their stuff is bonkers.

[One Above All]

Maybe to the uneducated ("agnostic" just means you're uncertain; it doesn't say how uncertain you are), but do you really care what they think?

Yes, it's important to me what they think of my views. The theists should be at least a little bit pissed off at my relative certainty that their stuff is bonkers.

OK then.

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Oh yeah, I forgot that. I'm apatheist and ignostic too. Gnostic against selective inconsistent claims.

I like collecting badges.

I commonly refer to myself as "gnostic atheist" for brevity's sake. Using four words, two of which are unfamiliar to most people, is a waste of time.