There are two kinds of atheism: strong (positive) atheism and weak (negative) atheism. The difference between these two is basically that a weak atheist doesn't believe in God, while a strong atheist believes in no God.
Weak atheism is essentially the same as agnosticism. It states that since we have no proof of a God, we cannot know for sure that one exists. Strong atheism states that since we live in a scientific world where the existence of things is determined solely by their observability, we cannot assume anything unobservable to exist. God isn’t observable, therefore he doesn’t exist (cf. Occam’s Razor). This doesn't mean that an atheist wouldn't WANT to believe in God, it merely means that he has no REASON to believe in it/him.
Strong atheists often question the special treatment weak atheists – and theists – give to religion. If they believe that the tooth fairy or Santa Claus do not exist, why are they willing to give God a benefit of the doubt?
Strong atheism is often equated with religion since it takes a strong stance on the issue. This is, however, fallacious. Religion is not based on rationality, and strong atheists value rationality over fantasy. Therefore atheism is not parallel with religion.
Weak atheism is essentially the same as agnosticism. It states that since we have no proof of a God, we cannot know for sure that one exists. Strong atheism states that since we live in a scientific world where the existence of things is determined solely by their observability, we cannot assume anything unobservable to exist. God isn’t observable, therefore he doesn’t exist (cf. Occam’s Razor). This doesn't mean that an atheist wouldn't WANT to believe in God, it merely means that he has no REASON to believe in it/him.
Strong atheists often question the special treatment weak atheists – and theists – give to religion. If they believe that the tooth fairy or Santa Claus do not exist, why are they willing to give God a benefit of the doubt?
Strong atheism is often equated with religion since it takes a strong stance on the issue. This is, however, fallacious. Religion is not based on rationality, and strong atheists value rationality over fantasy. Therefore atheism is not parallel with religion.
by Servant Of Progress October 21, 2004
Atheism
Benefits:
- Free on Sunday!
- Get to focus on the now.
- No guilt!
- Can claim full responsibility for life's achievments.
Drawbacks:
- No afterlife. :(
- Must take responsibility for life's failures. Dang!
Benefits:
- Free on Sunday!
- Get to focus on the now.
- No guilt!
- Can claim full responsibility for life's achievments.
Drawbacks:
- No afterlife. :(
- Must take responsibility for life's failures. Dang!
Dang, it was a tough choice. I mean, I like the idea of the afterlife. But I really wanted to free up my Sunday's, so I chose atheism. And, the best part is, I still get presents on Christmas! Yeah, beeyatch, atheism is the shiznit!
by AtheismIsFreedom April 22, 2005
1) Non-theism, NOT anti-theism.
2) Not believing in a god, and often, the divine and supernatural in general.
Atheism's followers are called "Atheists"; many ignorant rednecks, however, mistake them for anti-chrisians, satanists, et cetera. Many atheists be that way secretly, to avoid persecution, they are called "closet atheists".
Atheism is bases upon the fact that there is absolutely no solid evidence to show that gods exist. Primitave humans invented gods to explain things they were not advanced enough to explain themselves. Once civiliation was secured, philosophy and science could really start. Parent-to-child indocterination, mostly, has kept religion alive this far.
A word for the western world... They say that atheists single-out chrisitans, never bothering jews, muslums, hindus, etc. Sometimes, that's true in countries where christians are the majority. And when that's the case, they tend to make life hard for minorities. In America, most persecution against atheists comes from christians; so, contempt for christians is developed.
Foolish persons blame the death of over 100 million on the atheism of Stalin and Mao. To assume anyone would base EVERY action on their religion, or lack of one, is uterly irrational. Stalin was paranoid, he killed anyone he had the slightest bad feeling about. His perscution of the orthodox church was not for the sake of atheism, but punishment for supporting the czars. He spared muslums not because of hate for just jews, christians, and such; he was building relationships with middle-eastern countries. Mao killed mostly to conquer the Chinese government and to secure communism's power. Oh, and the holocaust? That was borderline judeophibic anti-semitism, not atheism.
To counter the preveous, think... the crusades, think of witch hunts, of 9/11, gay-bashing, violent jihad, the KKK, the Westboro Baptis Church, the inquisition, jewish segregation, to name a few...
They say atheists have no morals, ethics, values... nothing holding them back. Simply put, that's bullshit. They're no less moral than theists. And truely, you must question the sanity of someone who behaves himself ONLY out of fear of eternal torment.
Roughly 75% of Americans are christians, and at least 10% are atheists.
Now, let's check American prisons...
Roughly 80% of inmates are christians, and less than 0.5% are atheists.
2) Not believing in a god, and often, the divine and supernatural in general.
Atheism's followers are called "Atheists"; many ignorant rednecks, however, mistake them for anti-chrisians, satanists, et cetera. Many atheists be that way secretly, to avoid persecution, they are called "closet atheists".
Atheism is bases upon the fact that there is absolutely no solid evidence to show that gods exist. Primitave humans invented gods to explain things they were not advanced enough to explain themselves. Once civiliation was secured, philosophy and science could really start. Parent-to-child indocterination, mostly, has kept religion alive this far.
A word for the western world... They say that atheists single-out chrisitans, never bothering jews, muslums, hindus, etc. Sometimes, that's true in countries where christians are the majority. And when that's the case, they tend to make life hard for minorities. In America, most persecution against atheists comes from christians; so, contempt for christians is developed.
Foolish persons blame the death of over 100 million on the atheism of Stalin and Mao. To assume anyone would base EVERY action on their religion, or lack of one, is uterly irrational. Stalin was paranoid, he killed anyone he had the slightest bad feeling about. His perscution of the orthodox church was not for the sake of atheism, but punishment for supporting the czars. He spared muslums not because of hate for just jews, christians, and such; he was building relationships with middle-eastern countries. Mao killed mostly to conquer the Chinese government and to secure communism's power. Oh, and the holocaust? That was borderline judeophibic anti-semitism, not atheism.
To counter the preveous, think... the crusades, think of witch hunts, of 9/11, gay-bashing, violent jihad, the KKK, the Westboro Baptis Church, the inquisition, jewish segregation, to name a few...
They say atheists have no morals, ethics, values... nothing holding them back. Simply put, that's bullshit. They're no less moral than theists. And truely, you must question the sanity of someone who behaves himself ONLY out of fear of eternal torment.
Roughly 75% of Americans are christians, and at least 10% are atheists.
Now, let's check American prisons...
Roughly 80% of inmates are christians, and less than 0.5% are atheists.
Christian: You're going to hell, atheist!
Atheist: Heh, alright... how about you wait for me to die, come find me in hell, record it on camera, and come back in time to show me some evidece... then, maybe, I'll take you seriously.
It's confusing, how a christian can ridicule atheism, and just feel soooooo sure that there is a god. No egyptian god, norse god, gaillic god, jewish god, greek god, roman god, zoronastrian god, islamic god, or any other god but his specific idea of his ONE, christian god could ever be real, oooh no...
Even IF there are gods, how the fuck could he KNOW he's wasting his life over a real god, or the right god, or if he's actually worshiping him/her/it properly. How does he KNOW this god has some sort of eternal punishment or reward. Has he MET Jesus or Satan!? Has he BEEN to heaven or hell!?
...didn't think so...
Atheist: Heh, alright... how about you wait for me to die, come find me in hell, record it on camera, and come back in time to show me some evidece... then, maybe, I'll take you seriously.
It's confusing, how a christian can ridicule atheism, and just feel soooooo sure that there is a god. No egyptian god, norse god, gaillic god, jewish god, greek god, roman god, zoronastrian god, islamic god, or any other god but his specific idea of his ONE, christian god could ever be real, oooh no...
Even IF there are gods, how the fuck could he KNOW he's wasting his life over a real god, or the right god, or if he's actually worshiping him/her/it properly. How does he KNOW this god has some sort of eternal punishment or reward. Has he MET Jesus or Satan!? Has he BEEN to heaven or hell!?
...didn't think so...
by Horrigan July 31, 2006
Atheism, despite its small profile amoungst most of humanity is actually a default position to which all human beings are born into, its just that many people are either indoctrinated from childhood into following, or later in life choose to follow some form of theism, polytheism, or even pantheism.
by Icehawk April 13, 2004
Atheism is the disbelief of the existence of a god or gods in any religion. Often confused with Satanism by bigoted Christians.
Atheism: Prove God exists.
Christianity: Prove he doesn't!
Atheism: Prove the Flying Spaghetti Monster doesn't.
Christianity: ...
Atheism: That's what I thought.
Christianity: Prove he doesn't!
Atheism: Prove the Flying Spaghetti Monster doesn't.
Christianity: ...
Atheism: That's what I thought.
by MGN February 26, 2009
Thinking for oneself, exercising common sense; being brave enough to follow one's heart without fear of the "power" of a "higher being".
There is a common belief that atheism is evil; this is a big mistake. Atheists don't believe there is a god, therefore they don't believe in the devil; so, atheists cannot be satanic because they don't recognize satan as a god counterpart. These intelligent people, usually highly educated, may be among the most spiritual, self sufficient, and grouded people in the world.
by garci_a January 12, 2006
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
by Nistt February 15, 2011