(October 29, 2013 at 8:15 am)Ben Davis Wrote:(October 29, 2013 at 8:05 am)ManMachine Wrote: Atheism is not a lack of belief nor a denial. Both of these require the premise that the existence of a deity is the norm from which we deviate. Atheism is an assertion that deities do not exist, which is a rejection of the premise entirely.
No, the claim that a deity/ies does/do not exist is 'antitheism': the opposition of theism (the claim that a deity/ies exist).
'Atheism' is most strictly and accurately 'the absence of theism'.
I accept your point on the broader definition of atheism but I disagree with your interpretation of antitheism. Ant-theism, for me is distinguished by an opposition to deities or organised religion, etc. The position that they do not exist does not necessarily imply opposition.
MM
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions" - Leonardo da Vinci
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
