What is an atheist

[Mothonis]

What is an atheist? I was thinking more along the lines of "wrong".

Sorry not until you prove those talking snakes exist.

[Ben Davis]

One could believe God doesn't exist without being an anti-theist. Such a person would be a strong atheist, but would not be opposed to theism.

Strictly speaking, being a strong atheist is the same as being an anti-theist. In this case, I'm using the root definition of 'taking a position opposite to theism' rather than the common definition of 'actively opposing theism'. Hope that makes my usage more clear.

They could even be pro-theism, such as thinking the masses need religion to keep them from running wild. Antitheism is literally being against anyone believing in any God or gods. And one could be an antitheist while being a weak atheist, for that matter. It's logically possible to be a theist and also an antitheist, but I would be surprised to actually encounter such a beast. I'm not disagreeing, more like expanding on your thoughts.

Agree. It depends on the specific usage of 'antitheist'.

Some atheists consider 'belief' a dirty word and assert they don't have any. It's an incredible leap to conclude they comprise a simple, let alone vast majority of atheists, though. I'd go with 'tiny minority'.

Fair enough. I'm logically aware that such people exist, I've just never encountered any nor seen them on this board. So I'd also go with tiny minority however I have no data.

[Confused Ape]

I think the poll is misleading because the word God suggests the monotheistic deity of Judaism/Christianity/Islam.

There are a lot of people who don't believe in this deity. They do, however, believe in The God and The Goddess or various other deities.