As an Atheist, would you prefer to be categorized as non-believers? Why?

Question

I'm sick of hearing people misuse the definition of Atheism (mainly) and proclaim it to be true to the entire non-believer community here.

Atheism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

Answer 1

We just need a new word that is the same as anti-religion. Nonbeliever, suggests you are a believers opposite.

Answer 2

I'm an ex-atheist (thank God!). In my experience, an atheist would strongly object to being called a non-believer because this implies they're somehow missing out on something that doesn't exist in the first place.

Would an African American appreciate being categorized as a "non-white?" Would a woman like to be referred to as a "non-male?"

Call them what they are: atheists. Just don't confuse them with agnostics or you'll start a war!

Answer 3

Atheism - an section on concept - and agnosticism - an section on understand-how - are distinct subject matters. i in my view do no longer care that plenty. I call myself an atheist pondering the reality it is the significant precise. What does hack me off is that 'atheist' has been branded a foul note and that any one is fearful of calling themselves atheists, such that they could want to pussyfoot round it through calling themselves pantheists or naturists, or non-non secular. Do you've faith in a deity? If no longer then you definately definately are an atheist. Edit: Pussy is a foul note in Yahoo-communicate? What a shame for each and each and each and every of the cat followers top right here.

Answer 4

an atheist IS a non-believer. neither in God, Jesus, Buddha, Allah or any other deity.

their true belief is that we are here by chance, only once, and then we are gone. no soul, no electrical energy floating around the universe tyring to unlock the secrets.

-eagle

Answer 5

It's not worth quibbling about the meaning - You'll never, ever get everyone to agree on what the word means. It's a Humpty Dumpty word. You just have to establish what people's worldview is by how they explain themselves, not by one word.

Answer 6

Well, though I cannot figure out exactly what you mean here, I would say that I don't really care what people label me as--being myself I require no tag for what I believe or disbelieve--and I just as little care what they say about it.

Answer 7

I do not call myself a non-believer because that implies that there is something that I SHOULD believe. I have no problem with the term atheist.

Answer 8

I believe in a lot. But god is an imaginary friend for adults.

Answer 9

Of course I believe in things. Just not in God.

Answer 10

True. I think a good word is "Humanist".

Non-believer sounds awful.It sounds afraid of fundies,etc.