(October 30, 2010 at 12:34 pm)Existentialist Wrote: It is, however, a problem that some definitions of atheism don't mention belief, and other definitions do. That is what makes me think that belief is an expendable component of the concept of atheism. Belief and non-belief are separate words from denial and non-denial.
I think that quote clarifies your position, unless I misunderstand. I understand the point you are attempting to make. I do disagree, however.
Amoral is not a denial of morality, it is a lack of morality.
Asexual is not a denial of sexuality, it is a lack of sexuality.
Atheism is not a denial of theism, it is a lack of theism.
Of course, the denial of theism is an atheistic position, but it is still atheism without that denial. That being the case, the only thing required to be defined as 'atheism' is a lack of belief in gods. The belief that there are no gods is not required to fit the definition of atheism.
That's why people use qualifiers to define their atheism more specifically. Denial of theism would require the qualifier 'strong' or possibly 'gnostic'. Without those qualifiers, the only thing the word atheism tells us is that the person does not believe in gods, not whether that person believes there are none.
