(March 8, 2017 at 6:34 pm)Jesster Wrote:(March 8, 2017 at 6:31 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: I
Ok... but that method does not always work. Also words can vary in meaning, or can have multiple meanings. Like those being discussed. I can only imagine what you think a butterfly is!
And I just think it is funny, when people act like the other sense of the word, does not exist; and jump all over people for it.
Yes, people can and do use many varieties of meanings for words. That's why I am laying down my definitions. It's not my problem if you reject every one of them. That just means that you don't want to have a real conversation about what atheists do or do not believe.
Most atheists consider not believing in gods all that is necessary to be defined as an atheist. If you believe that is somehow insufficient to define one as an atheist, that is up to you to discuss it with that particular atheist why your definition is better.
What is important though, is not definitions, but concepts.
I do not currently believe that any of the gods ever presented to me, exist. If you don't want to call me an atheist, that is fine. I don't really care. But that does not alter the concept that I don't currently believe any gods exist.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.