Atheism and Anti-Theism same thing?

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Antitheism generally takes the form of being actively opposed to theism, even when such theism doesn't affect you personally.   In my own mind (and I admit that this is neither accurate nor particularly fair), I tend to equate antitheism with religious evangelism, as both positions involve getting yourself mixed up in things that don't concern you.  For instance, if I'm sitting at home reading the paper and come across a story that a local church is building a new annex, as an atheist, I'd probably mutter, 'Bloody silly waste of time and money', and go on with my tea.  As an antitheist, I'd be more likely to throw the paper down in a rage, being knocking together a protest sign, and heading over to the church to march up and down with a scowl on me mug.

Boru

I'm anti-theist, but still I recognize the rights of theists to do what they wish with private property and no public funds. Unless said church uses public money to build a new wing (yes, their income is tax-free, but that's another issue), or crosses the line on school grounds or my town hall, I'd probably go on sipping my coffee.

[Excited Penguin]

Antitheism generally takes the form of being actively opposed to theism, even when such theism doesn't affect you personally.   In my own mind (and I admit that this is neither accurate nor particularly fair), I tend to equate antitheism with religious evangelism, as both positions involve getting yourself mixed up in things that don't concern you.  For instance, if I'm sitting at home reading the paper and come across a story that a local church is building a new annex, as an atheist, I'd probably mutter, 'Bloody silly waste of time and money', and go on with my tea.  As an antitheist, I'd be more likely to throw the paper down in a rage, being knocking together a protest sign, and heading over to the church to march up and down with a scowl on me mug.

Boru

I'm anti-theist, but still I recognize the rights of theists to do what they wish with private property and no public funds. Unless said church uses public money, or crosses the line on school grounds or my town hall, I'd probably go on sipping my coffee.

It's quite strange. Atheists seem to think of antitheists the same way theists think of them. Oh, the irony.

You shouldn't have to put those sorts of caveats in. Just because you identify as an antitheist, doesn't mean you want to kill all religious people, blow up churches and illegalize religious practice and thought. This is becoming stupefyingly ridiculous.

[Whateverist]

a = without  thus atheism without god.
anti = against thus anti-theist against god.

In common usage atheism just means without a belief in god.  Anti-theism is against theism.  It's possible to be either, neither, or both.

I am anti-theist, but I am not against any god, because I don't believe there are any. Sorry, but the cum-pumping canard "oh, he's just angry with god" is used way too easily by theists that I can just let this go - I am not against what I don't believe exists, but I am against the teaching of stupid ideas as if they were true, therefore I am against the teaching of theism.

Well clearly you're angry at religion, especially whichever xtian sect let you down.  It seems a little over the top to me.  Whatever it was that made you leave religion may not be an issue for everyone who believes in a god.  I predict you'll be a happier person when you get to the point where you care less about religion, at least enough less to let go of wanting to dictate what others may believe.

[Excited Penguin]

I am anti-theist, but I am not against any god, because I don't believe there are any. Sorry, but the cum-pumping canard "oh, he's just angry with god" is used way too easily by theists that I can just let this go - I am not against what I don't believe exists, but I am against the teaching of stupid ideas as if they were true, therefore I am against the teaching of theism.

Well clearly you're angry at religion, especially whichever xtian sect let you down.  It seems a little over the top to me.  Whatever it was that made you leave religion may not be an issue for everyone who believes in a god.  I predict you'll be a happier person when you get to the point where you care less about religion, at least enough less to let go of wanting to dictate what others may believe.

I think I can safely assume you don't have any kids. I wouldn't give any fucks either, if I were you.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Can an atheist identify as an anti-theist?

Are you getting at the absurdity of being against something which you have no belief exists?  Of course anti-theists are not actually against God.  They're just against what they feel is a destructive lie.

I'm not an antitheist.  I am an atheist, an agnostic, an ignostic and an apatheistic as well.

I don't believe in any gods, and still I'm an anti-theist - I'm against the douche-bags and chest-beating assholes who fuck the developing minds of children with their sick ideas.

[Excited Penguin]

Once again, failure of understanding language. Would someone point out to this guy that antitheism is opposition to a set of ideas and that it makes perfect sense if you actually understand it for what it is?

[God of Mr. Hanky]

I am anti-theist, but I am not against any god, because I don't believe there are any. Sorry, but the cum-pumping canard "oh, he's just angry with god" is used way too easily by theists that I can just let this go - I am not against what I don't believe exists, but I am against the teaching of stupid ideas as if they were true, therefore I am against the teaching of theism.

Well clearly you're angry at religion, especially whichever xtian sect let you down.  It seems a little over the top to me.  Whatever it was that made you leave religion may not be an issue for everyone who believes in a god.  I predict you'll be a happier person when you get to the point where you care less about religion, at least enough less to let go of wanting to dictate what others may believe.

Please don't straw-man my words, Buddy! What I stated had absolutely nothing to do with "dictating what others may believe", only that I object to allowing others to teach ideas which are most often used to manipulate and defraud, like any Ponzi scheme. At very least, teaching children that such beliefs are "fact", which anyone who was raised in an evangelical church has heard 1000x should be prohibited.

On apathy, I find the admission of that rather disturbing. Why are you even here if you don't care what the religious are doing to society? Am I not understanding something on that position?

[God of Mr. Hanky]

I'm anti-theist, but still I recognize the rights of theists to do what they wish with private property and no public funds. Unless said church uses public money, or crosses the line on school grounds or my town hall, I'd probably go on sipping my coffee.

It's quite strange. Atheists seem to think of antitheists the same way theists think of them. Oh, the irony.

You shouldn't have to put those sorts of caveats in. Just because you identify as an antitheist, doesn't mean you want to kill all religious people, blow up churches and illegalize religious practice and thought. This is becoming stupefyingly ridiculous.

It really is sad how much ignorance prevails among those who are ostensibly on the same side. But then neither atheists nor anti-theists (and anti-theists are indeed both) do not inherently subscribe to any holy books, doctrines, philosophies, nor ideologies.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Well clearly you're angry at religion, especially whichever xtian sect let you down.  It seems a little over the top to me.  Whatever it was that made you leave religion may not be an issue for everyone who believes in a god.  I predict you'll be a happier person when you get to the point where you care less about religion, at least enough less to let go of wanting to dictate what others may believe.

I think I can safely assume you don't have any kids. I wouldn't give any fucks either, if I were you.

Funny how it is that I actually give more than a few fucks for children who aren't even my own - it's just a matter of empathy, from a man who survived a childhood which was in many ways made miserable by religiosity. It's ultra-plain that some here have no idea the harm which religious ideas do to children's minds, and now is the time for them to stop weighing in on that.

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Once again, failure of understanding language. Would someone point out to this guy that antitheism is opposition to a set of ideas and that it makes perfect sense if you actually understand it for what it is?

?????