What is Atheism?

[Whateverist]

False, there are no atheists in the West that believe in souls.

False. Have you met my roommate?

And never forget one can attach a meaning to a word like "soul" without taking it whole-cloth from the xtian literature.  Hell, plenty of avowed xtians do the same.

[Neo-Scholastic]

In ancient times anyone who did not honor the gods were considered atheists. Some Romans referred to Christians as atheists. My point is that there is not one definitiveeaning for all time as some are suggesting.

[Nonpareil]

My point is that there is not one definitiveeaning for all time as some are suggesting.

No one has suggested this.

What has been stated, very plainly and simply, is that the word has a concrete definition today. It means "a lack of belief in gods".

[Neo-Scholastic]

Apparently the word atheist means whatever any given self-described atheist says it means, which is that it basically means nothing at all.

[Nonpareil]

Apparently the word atheist means whatever any given self-described atheist says it means, which is that it basically means nothing at all.

[masterofpuppets]

Apparently the word atheist means whatever any given self-described atheist says it means, which is that it basically means nothing at all.

Almost every self-described atheist does not believe that there is a god. They may or may not believe that there is no god, but in the context of atheism and theism, that is completely irrelevant. Atheism is the label we use to describe people who lack the belief that god exists. It has nothing to do with believing gods don't exist, believing in evolution etc.

The reason it seems like atheism means so many things (or nothing at all) is because some atheists claim there is no god, some hate religions people, etc. It doesn't matter, because they still all lack the belief that god exists. They are all atheists.

[Neo-Scholastic]

"I lack belief in god because....(insert reason)"

To give a reason is to express a belief.

[Nonpareil]

This really is the most bizarre discussion.

"What is the definition of this word?"

"Here it is."

"That's not the definition, though!"

"Yes, it is. You can look it up in a dictionary."

"But here are some people that don't fit the definition-"

"Then it doesn't apply."

"But I want to call them that!"

"That doesn't matter. The definition still doesn't apply."

"But in the past the definition was different!"

"That doesn't matter. The definition is what it is today."

"But it can actually be whatever anyone wants it to!"

...It's like watching an endless Abbott and Costello bit, only there's never a punchline. Or a gag. Or anything, really. Just people tilting at the dictionary hard enough to make Quixote's head spin.

[Cyberman]

Apparently the word atheist means whatever any given self-described atheist says it means, which is that it basically means nothing at all.

"You are an atheist because you do not believe in/accept my god(s)" has been the basic definition from year dot, as you yourself acknowledged.

[Cyberman]

"I lack belief in god because....(insert reason)"

To give a reason is to express a belief.

"My belief causes me to lack belief"? How the fuck does that work?

As I said elsewhere, does not believing claim x automatically mean you believe contrapositive y?