- I don't believe in.
-Pardon. Subject, verb preposition...
-oh, sorry, the object was God.
-"God"? I'm sorry I'm new here.
-Judeo-Christian God.
-??
-Ok, I see you are new here! We'll need to study a lot, it's an old multifaceted word, dependent on the time, language an geographical area in which it is being used.
*there follows an intense study of what is meant by God". linguistics, form criticism, literary theory and semotics and cultural studies"
- Ok, now I have a working knowledge, it's all very fascinating. Central to a lot to the development of art, philosophy, social movements
- Well that's what I define myself against. And that definition is very important to who I am. Actually I get very angry about it
- Why?
- Mu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_(negative)
2006-08-19 09:19:33 · 14 answers · asked by Hoolahoop 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
With the exception of Tonalc, come on people try to keep up!
2006-08-19 09:31:46 · update #1
I'm kidding! "what" thanks for your astute observation.
Try reading mia2kl2002 for an explanation
2006-08-19 09:33:30 · update #2
Zero cool - a not/without. Still definition against.
As for not believing in any Gods as someone put it - how many times have you heard it to disavow a belief in
Eseasar the wife of the sky god, Ebore!
The Theos here is generally the Christian one.
2006-08-19 09:41:52 · update #3
Adam T. Yes, I'm talking about self defined Atheists. It seems like an appropriate term for a Theist if they need one.
Atheism is a bit like defining yourself as a foreigner. Fine if you're abroad but would you do so at home?
Like being in French in France saying I'm a non-mexican
2006-08-19 09:48:30 · update #4
The question is about Atheism defining itself in terms of Theism.
The dialogue is an Atheist explaining to someone who doesn't know what Atheism is. The Atheist has to refer back to Theism, and, when the person never heard of this or God, to go in to a the origin and development of the God concept.
My point is, to really go in to what Atheism is, you need to really go in to Theism. I realize that some people posting on the board are angry and rebelling against something. The nonchalance rings hollow, some of these people (not all, mind you)are sarcastic and vitrolic and clearly have strong issues with Theism. It seems liked wasted energy to me.
People may assume that I am arguing from a religious perspective, I'm not: Do you believe in God? Neither yes nor no would be a correct answer from my point of view.
2006-08-20 04:03:18 · update #5
Might need to quit hula-hooping while you type...
2006-08-19 09:27:26 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in god. Theists choose to label me as "atheist". So that is the word that is used to describe me. I am not against theism, and more than I am against the tooth fairy believers. I say, call me atheist if you want, but it comes down to me having a different belief, not anti belief. The thing is, I am ok with the term atheist. Only because theist is a belief in god, and Atheist is the opposite. I think we could use better terms, as I do not like being seen as just the opposite, but I go with atheist for now.
2006-08-19 16:41:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question is a little confusing, what do you mean by "atheists define themselves against theism"??? I'm not AGAINST anything except when I hear people cutting down what someone else believes or trying to convert them. I'm an atheist but I have no problem with whatever anybody else wants to believe. I respect all religions, spirituality's, beliefs, non-beliefs or whatever. I just ask that you give me the same courtesy. The only thing I "define" myself against is hatred.
2006-08-19 16:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by carpediem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anti-theists are against Theism, whereas atheists simply do not share your belief in a God or gods becuase they do not feel there is sufficient evidence to compel them to do so...there is no belief that there is no God, belief is not a prerequiste for an atheist, atheism is not a belief system and it is not a religion.
2006-08-19 17:19:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Athiests don't believe in ANY god. They are therefore A (meaning without) Theist, and is belief in god (or a follower of god, etc etc).
I'm agnostic myself.
2006-08-19 16:26:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does seem rather sad, doesn't it? That there are words that start with a- and end with -ism .......?
If you want to be FOR something, fine, but to spend your life being against things... what a pathetic existence.
2006-08-19 16:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
atheism.
break down the word...
a- (prefix) meaning, in this context, "without".
theism (noun) "belief in the existence of a god or gods."
Therefore.....
atheism is defined as "without belief in the existence of a god or gods."
It's not "against belief", it's "without belief".
2006-08-19 16:30:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gods are merely the brainwashing tools of priests, do as we say or god will punish rule of terror springs to mind.
2006-08-19 16:29:13 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
labels...
Labels about religious beliefs lead to misunderstanding.
I suppose that true "atheists" don't even label themselves "atheists", unless they are asked "What is your religion?"
I think that "atheist" is just a label to the attention of believers. I think that the people who are labelled "atheists" don't label themselves this way. They are humans, and that's all.
2006-08-19 16:29:42 · answer #9 · answered by Axel ∇ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists do not believe in boogie men and hobgoblins.
Tammi Dee
2006-08-19 16:27:30 · answer #10 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Er, you need to be more careful to make sense when you ask your questions. This one is mostly gibberish. Try to write more clearly.
2006-08-19 16:38:14 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋