Is atheism a belief?

[Amarok]

"Atheism" originated as a term used by "theists" to specifically identify those who didn't believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Later it became a loosely used derogatory term that could apply to anybody.  You could be a "theist" and still be an "atheist" because you were an opponent to someone, but it could be applied that way to just about anything, even for political reasons or just because you didn't like someone.  Today it is most commonly used as a term that applies to people who don't adhere to a belief in any God or gods.

I'm pretty sure the Romans were using it to describe people who didn't pay deference to the Roman gods before Christianity was even around much.

Don't get him started you will be bashing your head against his insistence atheism is loosey goosey term forever .