Anybody who isn't 100% convinced about a certain religioun, tgere are 2 general types of an atheist:
Agnostic- a person who does neither claim gods existence nor denies it
Gnostic- a person who denies the existence of a god or gods
But a person who for example isn't aware of the concept of a god or just doesn't give a fuck is an atheist as well
Agnostic- a person who does neither claim gods existence nor denies it
Gnostic- a person who denies the existence of a god or gods
But a person who for example isn't aware of the concept of a god or just doesn't give a fuck is an atheist as well
by User694208800q March 11, 2021
One who disbelieves or lacks belief in a god or gods.
A belief is not necessarily a religion. It becomes a religion if the belief is taken to be fact without empirical evidence (on faith). There are four positions on "do you believe in a god?"
1) gnostic theist - believes in a god and believes it is a fact.
2) gnostic atheist - believes there is no god and believes it is a fact.
Due to the lack of empirical evidence on the existence or non-existence of a god, these two positions are delusional.
3) agnostic theist - believes there is a god but accepts that there is no empirical evidence of his existence. This position is merely irrational.
4) agnostic atheist - believes there is no god but accepts that there is no empirical evidence of his non-existence. Since it is rational to not believe in something that has no empirical evidence of its existence, this position is rational.
A belief is not necessarily a religion. It becomes a religion if the belief is taken to be fact without empirical evidence (on faith). There are four positions on "do you believe in a god?"
1) gnostic theist - believes in a god and believes it is a fact.
2) gnostic atheist - believes there is no god and believes it is a fact.
Due to the lack of empirical evidence on the existence or non-existence of a god, these two positions are delusional.
3) agnostic theist - believes there is a god but accepts that there is no empirical evidence of his existence. This position is merely irrational.
4) agnostic atheist - believes there is no god but accepts that there is no empirical evidence of his non-existence. Since it is rational to not believe in something that has no empirical evidence of its existence, this position is rational.
by Funs1inger February 12, 2016
by Oh Em Gee August 29, 2006
An atheist is simply one who lacks a belief in a god or gods. That's it. It does not mean militant asshole, anti-theist, humanist, intelligent, blind, skeptic, secular, freethinker, or liberal.
Most people confuse the terms agnosticism and atheism. This should clear the misunderstanding:
gnostic theist: I know god exists
agnostic theist: I don't know if a god exists, but I believe there is one
agnostic atheist: I don't know if a god exists, but I don't believe there is one
gnostic atheist: I know there is no god
Most atheists are agnostic. While atheism deals with non-belief in god(s), this term does not describe what we do believe in. People have different labels (or no labels at all) for what they do believe in but this is outside atheism.
Atheism is not a religion. There is no worship of any people, no holy books, no dogma, no persecution, and no absolute truth.
Most people confuse the terms agnosticism and atheism. This should clear the misunderstanding:
gnostic theist: I know god exists
agnostic theist: I don't know if a god exists, but I believe there is one
agnostic atheist: I don't know if a god exists, but I don't believe there is one
gnostic atheist: I know there is no god
Most atheists are agnostic. While atheism deals with non-belief in god(s), this term does not describe what we do believe in. People have different labels (or no labels at all) for what they do believe in but this is outside atheism.
Atheism is not a religion. There is no worship of any people, no holy books, no dogma, no persecution, and no absolute truth.
Sye: You're agnostic? Oh good, I'm glad you're not one of those militant atheist assholes
Chris: Actually, I'm an atheist
Sye: But I thought you were agnostic? You're a decent person, how could you be an atheist?
Chris: I just don't think there's enough evidence to warrant a belief in god. That's it. This does not mean I'm a good person or asshole.
Chris: Actually, I'm an atheist
Sye: But I thought you were agnostic? You're a decent person, how could you be an atheist?
Chris: I just don't think there's enough evidence to warrant a belief in god. That's it. This does not mean I'm a good person or asshole.
by GreatA42 December 27, 2016
A highly disputed term that can have any number of meanings.
The following are three colloquial definitions as understood and used by the average American:
1) Someone who believes that there is no God/Gods
2) That asshole who spends all of his time arguing with or scoffing at Christians about their beliefs.
3) A socially-depraved menace to society bent on burning our churches and brainwashing our children into joining their cult which is really based on worshiping Satan and may be headed by the Jews in their attempt to control the world's money and media in order to enslave us all... (I can go on)
But it's only fair to explain atheism as defined by atheists. After all, they are the ones who identify with the term. So what do THEY believe?
Generally, there are two strains of atheism, as used by atheists:
1. "Strong" atheism- The belief that there are no Gods
2. "Weak" atheism- The lack of belief in Gods
The vast majority of atheists fall into category 2. You're hard-pressed to find an atheist who is absolutely certain that there is no God.
There is a confusion about the terms "agnosticism" and "atheism" and it's important to make the distinction clear.
Agnosticism is a position concerning knowledge of Gods. Agnostics either:
1) believe that there is no way to know for certain whether or not there are Gods
2) are undecided on the issue because they currently lack sufficient evidence
Meanwhile, atheism/theism are positions concerning what you do and do not believe regardless of any claims to knowledge. Thus, fusions between the two are likely:
Agnostic atheist- I do not believe in any Gods because 1) or 2)
Agnostic theist- I believe despite 1) or 2) for any number of reasons (fear of hell, hope, comfort, feeling that there must be some great power/first cause, etc.)
Most self-proclaimed "agnostics" are also atheists. It's very common to hear someone who calls him/herself an agnostic say,
"I don't know whether or not there is a God, so I am neither a theist nor an atheist". But like the second strain of atheism, they do NOT have belief in any Gods. If they did believe, then they wouldn't be undecided! Thus, they are undecided and without belief (agnostic atheist). In much the same way, you can say that all infants and animals are also agnostic atheists!
Now, I say this is true for MOST self-proclaimed agnostics because I have yet to hear someone call him/herself an agnostic AND claim to believe in a God. This is because most self-proclaimed agnostics think of agnosticism as a third-choice between atheism and theism. I'm of the personal opinion that this is largely due to the many negative connotations surrounding the term "atheist" (see colloquial definitions above)
I apologize for the obscene length of this definition (inb4 tl;dr!), so I won't go into detail concerning this next point:
Atheism is NOT a religion. For the same reason, theism is also not a religion. You need more than mere belief/disbelief in a God(s) to be aptly identified as a religion.
The following are three colloquial definitions as understood and used by the average American:
1) Someone who believes that there is no God/Gods
2) That asshole who spends all of his time arguing with or scoffing at Christians about their beliefs.
3) A socially-depraved menace to society bent on burning our churches and brainwashing our children into joining their cult which is really based on worshiping Satan and may be headed by the Jews in their attempt to control the world's money and media in order to enslave us all... (I can go on)
But it's only fair to explain atheism as defined by atheists. After all, they are the ones who identify with the term. So what do THEY believe?
Generally, there are two strains of atheism, as used by atheists:
1. "Strong" atheism- The belief that there are no Gods
2. "Weak" atheism- The lack of belief in Gods
The vast majority of atheists fall into category 2. You're hard-pressed to find an atheist who is absolutely certain that there is no God.
There is a confusion about the terms "agnosticism" and "atheism" and it's important to make the distinction clear.
Agnosticism is a position concerning knowledge of Gods. Agnostics either:
1) believe that there is no way to know for certain whether or not there are Gods
2) are undecided on the issue because they currently lack sufficient evidence
Meanwhile, atheism/theism are positions concerning what you do and do not believe regardless of any claims to knowledge. Thus, fusions between the two are likely:
Agnostic atheist- I do not believe in any Gods because 1) or 2)
Agnostic theist- I believe despite 1) or 2) for any number of reasons (fear of hell, hope, comfort, feeling that there must be some great power/first cause, etc.)
Most self-proclaimed "agnostics" are also atheists. It's very common to hear someone who calls him/herself an agnostic say,
"I don't know whether or not there is a God, so I am neither a theist nor an atheist". But like the second strain of atheism, they do NOT have belief in any Gods. If they did believe, then they wouldn't be undecided! Thus, they are undecided and without belief (agnostic atheist). In much the same way, you can say that all infants and animals are also agnostic atheists!
Now, I say this is true for MOST self-proclaimed agnostics because I have yet to hear someone call him/herself an agnostic AND claim to believe in a God. This is because most self-proclaimed agnostics think of agnosticism as a third-choice between atheism and theism. I'm of the personal opinion that this is largely due to the many negative connotations surrounding the term "atheist" (see colloquial definitions above)
I apologize for the obscene length of this definition (inb4 tl;dr!), so I won't go into detail concerning this next point:
Atheism is NOT a religion. For the same reason, theism is also not a religion. You need more than mere belief/disbelief in a God(s) to be aptly identified as a religion.
Bob: Hey Fred!
Fred: Hey Bob!
Bob: You know, in all our many years of friendship, I've never asked you a simple question. Do you believe in God?
Fred: I'm an atheist-
*violence*
Bob: WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!
Fred: Hey Bob!
Bob: You know, in all our many years of friendship, I've never asked you a simple question. Do you believe in God?
Fred: I'm an atheist-
*violence*
Bob: WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!
by SpankyMuffin October 20, 2008
There are two types of atheists, but the word refers to one who lacks belief in Gods, angels, etc. A lot of atheists are respectful to what religious people believe while many others are not. The intolerant ones tend to bash religion-particularly Christianity at any chance they get and assume that all Christians are arrogant and prejudice. (Just to be fair, yes, some Christians are like this, but they cannot call themselves Christians when their attitude goes against what Jesus taught and think they can use his words to pass judgment. But there are plenty of others who actually care how someone feels.)
Christian: "I believe God and Jesus are guiding me and will help me."
Tolerant Atheist: "Religion is not really my cup of tea, but that's cool."
Christian: "I believe God and Jesus will help me."
Intolerant Atheist: "Shut up you stupid Bible thumper! Your God isn't real!"
Tolerant Atheist: "Religion is not really my cup of tea, but that's cool."
Christian: "I believe God and Jesus will help me."
Intolerant Atheist: "Shut up you stupid Bible thumper! Your God isn't real!"
by jklsh June 26, 2012
1.) We are just normal people trying to live our lives.
2.) An atheist, contrary to seemingly popular belief, is a relatively normal person.
The atheist simply believes that there is/are no God/gods. Generally, atheists don't consider themselves to be smarter than all theists. You could say that atheism is taking the Christian practice of not recognizing such beliefs as Paganism one step further in not recognizing any religion. Atheists also tend to be more tolerant, and usually do not proselytize. Atheism is not a "belief," it is a lack of any belief and does not function as a religion would, in that the amount of atheists holds no significance.
The atheist is characterized as explaining that the Big Bang was the beginning of everything around us, but not able to explain how it came about. The Christian is characterized as then pointing out the necessicity of a God for such an act. This is where atheists differ from theists.
Atheists, for the most part, believe that the initial "ingredients" for today's universe have always been present, since it is impossible to create something from nothing. Yes, it is true that no one knows how this came to be, but then again, how can we start to understand something so incredibly complex in its nature when the necessary technology have only just come into exisitence in the last century? It will be an ongoing struggle in the following years to finally understand this phenomenon. We just don't insert God into the equation.
2.) An atheist, contrary to seemingly popular belief, is a relatively normal person.
The atheist simply believes that there is/are no God/gods. Generally, atheists don't consider themselves to be smarter than all theists. You could say that atheism is taking the Christian practice of not recognizing such beliefs as Paganism one step further in not recognizing any religion. Atheists also tend to be more tolerant, and usually do not proselytize. Atheism is not a "belief," it is a lack of any belief and does not function as a religion would, in that the amount of atheists holds no significance.
The atheist is characterized as explaining that the Big Bang was the beginning of everything around us, but not able to explain how it came about. The Christian is characterized as then pointing out the necessicity of a God for such an act. This is where atheists differ from theists.
Atheists, for the most part, believe that the initial "ingredients" for today's universe have always been present, since it is impossible to create something from nothing. Yes, it is true that no one knows how this came to be, but then again, how can we start to understand something so incredibly complex in its nature when the necessary technology have only just come into exisitence in the last century? It will be an ongoing struggle in the following years to finally understand this phenomenon. We just don't insert God into the equation.
by TheFriendlyNeighborhoodAtheist June 18, 2010