Accepting/Rejecting "Atheism" as a label.

[pocaracas]

Hmm, interesting linguistic issue. Doesn't one directly imply the other, if not being an explicit agreement exactly?

I don't like any pizza.
I like no pizza.

They are differently phrased, but aren't they nevertheless identical expressions?

Ah, no!
One is asserting that there is no god. That person then has the trouble of proving that assertion.
Much like the people who claim there is a god have to prove it.
But the guy/girl who claims there is no god, has one heck of a problem in front of him/her... it's not particularly easy to prove that something doesn't exist.... some may claim it's impossible. (e.g. prove that invisible pink unicorns don't exist; prove that the FSM doesn't exist; prove that I didn't steal an apple this morning)

The other definition, simply takes the position of refusing to believe that there is a god. You're simply telling the theists: I don't accept your claim that there is a god. Just that a nothing more.

[Violet]

I don't identify with anything that literally means 'not ____'. I may be such, but I don't go out of my way to declare myself as being a nonTwilightist.

[Angrboda]

I think I'd like to see your dick before making a decision. I dislike being labeled an atheist, but that's just me.

[Golbez]

Ahh, thanks Pocaracas. Excuse my ignorance. It took me a second to perceive the subtle distinction.

There is no god: confidently and arrogantly proclaims with certainty that one doesn't exist.
I don't believe there is a god: rejects the evidence put forth to suggest one exists.

Loud and clear now. Thanks for your patience.

[Kayenneh]

I don't understand why people are so afraid of labels.. I don't mind labeling myself atheist ('lack of belief in any gods'), because if I didn't, someone else might do it for me.

[Golbez]

Here's a speech on why the label might be a bad idea. I haven't watched it recently enough to recall all the arguments, but you may find it worth a watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KG5s_-Khvg

I would agree to go ahead and skip to the 4 minute mark. I'm going to rewatch it myself to see what that adds to my understanding and how it might evolve the pro/cons list.

[Violet]

[KichigaiNeko]

I don't understand why people are so afraid of labels.. I don't mind labeling myself atheist ('lack of belief in any gods'), because if I didn't, someone else might do it for me.

I am thinking that "labels" like xtianity are just sooooooooooooooo limiting.....

Happy to put my hand up for the "total lack of belief in god/s" but then that does NOT define who I am or what I desire or hope for as a human. The clingy belief of the religious demeans humanity and boxes people into a narrow paradigm which i am thinkign is unfair and inaccurate. And as such I regard religiosity as childish / infantile.


meh my 2 cents worth

[TaraJo]

Generally, I'm personally not too fond of labels. I worry that I'll get so caught up with adhering to the definitions of that label or defining that label, that I lose who I am or I worry that I'll get so caught up on another persons label that I don't listen to what they have to say. That being said, sufficient evidence has not been provided to convince me that any Gods exist. The term 'atheist' is simply a concise way of expressing that. I guess that's an area where labels are useful, but I still make a point not to make a big deal out of them. In the end, the only really important label to me is "Tara."

[Something completely different]

A label????

For me it`s something like my taste of ice cream or something.

It isn`t that much importent, it doesnt determin my place in sociaty nore bring me into a certain possition.

I guess it`s only a "label" if you life in a dipshit part of the globe.