Anti-theism and anti-religion

[Dystopia]

Strictly speaking, a god is not required for religion nor is religion required for belief in a god; Buddhism and Deism immediately come to mind.

In its most common use, anti-theism subsumes anti-religion in that it is not simply the belief in a god that is taken issue with but what this god is purported to dictate in the areas of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics. For the vast majority of propositions, it is a distinction without a difference. I doubt that many hearing the word anti-theist for the first time will immediately conclude that the referent is simply someone that has it out for god claims, but is perfectly okay with the religious baggage in tow.

The opposite works as well. Deists are often accused of atheism by other theists. For that matter, people that believe in a different god will run into the same issue. This reminds me of the saying "I don't care what religion they are as long as they believe in Jesus".

The distinction isn't typically invoked in any meaningful way; i.e, the purpose isn't usually to clarify terms important to the conversation, but meant to obfuscate the issue at hand.

Anti-theism requires anti-religion except for religions who don't preach to a personal god. The problem is I'm not against the god concept and people believing in god, I'm not against deists or agnostic theists... If you tell me 'I believe in a higher force', my answer will be 'good for you', if you tell me 'I'm a christian', my answer will be 'religions don't make any sense'

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Atheism had "won" long before christers showed up. Epicuras, Cavarka, as long as people have been positing god there has been a dissenting voice. Their dissent remains as intact as it has always been.

True story, but you guys still need to enlighten me up in my distinction. I'm trying to label myself and don't know how