[Serious] Atheist Dogma

[Belacqua]

Sure I have a belief system. It isn't based on atheism, it eventually led me to atheism.

I can't speak for Prof. Lunaphiles, but this is all I've been saying. Atheists have beliefs. The beliefs make the atheism possible. 

From some people, I get the impression that when they insist on atheism being lack and only lack they do not want to acknowledge that they have beliefs in this way. They insist that it is a default mode, and that it is proper to apply the term to icy rocks far out in deep space. To me, this comes across as avoidance. 

We atheists also have beliefs, and when discussing our atheism it is relevant to address and perhaps defend them. 

 But when I say I don't believe in God and you get wrapped up in what my actual beliefs (I know some consider it a dirty word but it just means considering something true or correct and applies to facts as well as spooky crap) might be because you (royal you) think I'm being cagey about what I believe. You haven't even gotten around to what I believe because we're still hung up on the word 'atheist'. 

One day I hope when getting asked if you're an atheist and you say yes the usual follow up question will not involve a treatise on the semantics and etymology of the word atheist or the moral and philosophical implications; but something more interesting like: 'Oh, how did you come to be an atheist?'. Because that actually tells you something about the person you're talking to.

I agree with all of this. But I think part of the fault lies with those atheists who deny that their beliefs are relevant to their atheism. They are the ones hung up on the word and its simple declaration of lack. If I say, "OK, you're an atheist, but what beliefs allow your atheism?" The response is likely to be that the answer is irrelevant. They insist that they are atheists as stones are atheist. To me, the beliefs that support atheism are actually the most important points.