Is atheism a belief?

[Amarok]

Huggy will be old and in a wheelchair with a nurse emptying his diapers and he'll still bring up Denmark to anyone and everyone he can.

Pretty much

[Whateverist]

Now we're talking. I was about to post a new topic on a thread but thanks Nakara for providing some food for thought.
I like the analogy, its the best one I've heard.

If I ask "do u believe there is a God?" there is yes, no or I don't know. Three options, not 420.

Sorry, but belief does not work that way.

Belief is defined by cognitive scientists and analytic philosophers as, the psychological state in which one accepts a premise or proposition as being true (or likely true).

Belief is a binary mental state. Either one accepts the premise that a god exists as being true, or they don't accept that premise. There is no 3rd possibility.

Please note, Agnostico, that "accepts God does not exist" is not the binary alternative to "accepts God exists" which Simon is talking about.  Accepting or not accepting the proposition that God exists are the only two choices.  This is not a false dichotomy, thought "believes God exists" vs "believes God does not exist" would be a false dichotomy since other possibilities do exist.

Otherwise, screw it:

[T0 Th3 M4X]

"Atheism" originated as a term used by "theists" to specifically identify those who didn't believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Later it became a loosely used derogatory term that could apply to anybody. You could be a "theist" and still be an "atheist" because you were an opponent to someone, but it could be applied that way to just about anything, even for political reasons or just because you didn't like someone. Today it is most commonly used as a term that applies to people who don't adhere to a belief in any God or gods.

[Angrboda]

"Atheism" originated as a term used by "theists" to specifically identify those who didn't believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Later it became a loosely used derogatory term that could apply to anybody.  You could be a "theist" and still be an "atheist" because you were an opponent to someone, but it could be applied that way to just about anything, even for political reasons or just because you didn't like someone.  Today it is most commonly used as a term that applies to people who don't adhere to a belief in any God or gods.

I'm pretty sure the Romans were using it to describe people who didn't pay deference to the Roman gods before Christianity was even around much.

(I also vaguely remember something about Plato and how he was regarded, but don't have the reference ready at hand.)

[Amarok]

"Atheism" originated as a term used by "theists" to specifically identify those who didn't believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Later it became a loosely used derogatory term that could apply to anybody.  You could be a "theist" and still be an "atheist" because you were an opponent to someone, but it could be applied that way to just about anything, even for political reasons or just because you didn't like someone.  Today it is most commonly used as a term that applies to people who don't adhere to a belief in any God or gods.

Nope history fail

Atheism has specific meaning it's simply been misused and abused .

This crusade to turn it into religion is just sad

[ignoramus]

Theos = Greek for God.
Atheos = Greek for man without God.

Heathens go back to thousands of years bc.

[Amarok]

"Atheism" originated as a term used by "theists" to specifically identify those who didn't believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Later it became a loosely used derogatory term that could apply to anybody.  You could be a "theist" and still be an "atheist" because you were an opponent to someone, but it could be applied that way to just about anything, even for political reasons or just because you didn't like someone.  Today it is most commonly used as a term that applies to people who don't adhere to a belief in any God or gods.

I'm pretty sure the Romans were using it to describe people who didn't pay deference to the Roman gods before Christianity was even around much.

Don't get him started you will be bashing your head against his insistence atheism is loosey goosey term forever .

[T0 Th3 M4X]

[Amarok]

[T0 Th3 M4X]