Do atheism and theism really exist?

Question

Given that there seems to be no consensus--at least so far--on the definitions of atheist, theist, and agnostic, maybe the labels are meaningless.

See:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060824112954AAdzFfK&r=w

Answer 1

Labels are meaningless.

But there is a consensus on the definition. Just check any online dictionary.

Answer 2

Dose an existentialist exist if they are pondering weather they are apart of something or not?

By classic definition of the terms atheist or theist, I would say yes. We're all theists to an extent, even the atheist because they have established a belief that god does not exist. People may lack certain established convictions about their beliefs usually garnering the term agnosticism. I think the only exception to this would be nihilism, the belief in absolute nothing.

Although these are just labels and their meaning may be transmissible the fact that they can be used in the context of describing something does have an artifact of bringing that "something" into existence, if only from the lablers point of view.

Answer 3

When you are dealing with real people, a lack of consensus on a definition does not imply that there is no meaning to the word. Look at the arguing this last few weeks on whether or not Pluto is a planet. Or ask people to define a dog, you will probably get 20 different definitions that if taken literally would be somewhat mutually exclusive, but we all will recognize a dog when we see one.

Answer 4

There is no such thing as an atheist. I know, sounds confusing at best. But anyone using the "I'm an atheist" excuss, usually doesn't understand God or Jesus; is afraid of the consequences if there really were a God; or just doesn't want to put forth the effort to get to know God.

An atheist says "there is no God"

To make such a statement, they have to know without a shadow of a doubt, that "there is no God" is a fact.

In order to know that "there is no God" as a fact, they would need supreme knowledge.

To have supreme knowledge you would have to be a god.

If you were a god, how then can you say "there is no God"

thus their is no such thing as an atheist. anyone who truely thinks they are an atheist will tell you that they know, not that they believe. there is the difference.

and if you call yourself an atheist, then you need help and don't have a clue.

Answer 5

From Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the definition of those words as literal, not what people want them to be.

Main Entry: athe·ist
Pronunciation: 'A-thE-ist
Function: noun
: one who believes that there is no deity
- athe·is·tic /"A-thE-'is-tik/ or athe·is·ti·cal /"A-thE-'is-ti-k&l/ adjective
- athe·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 1ag·nos·tic
Pronunciation: ag-'näs-tik, &g-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek agnOstos unknown, unknowable, from a- + gnOstos known, from gignOskein to know -- more at KNOW
1 : a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
2 : a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something
- ag·nos·ti·cism /-t&-"si-z&m/ noun

Main Entry: the·ism
Pronunciation: 'thE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically : belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world
- the·ist /-ist/ noun or adjective
- the·is·tic /thE-'is-tik/ also the·is·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ adjective
- the·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Answer 6

What makes you think these things don't have definitions? Just because some ignorant people on here don't know what they mean and can't operate a dictionary?
Of course atheism exists--atheism is the lack of a belief in a god or gods. It is the opposite of theism. What's so hard to understand?

Answer 7

theist: the belief in one God as the creator and ruler of the universe, without rejection of revelation

atheist: a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

agnostic: a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience.

Answer 8

To those that believe in them only.
A dictionary can only tell you about what some people believe in. It can not tell you if they exist. If I chose to worship a tree, and enough people believed in why I chose to, and become followers of tree worship, the dictionary would list the principles of the concept of those that believe in it. It will not tell you if it is real. Only the belief is to those that believe in it.

Answer 9

We're not supposed to label people. Its in the PC handbook.

Answer 10

People have different beliefs, so yes they exist. A dictionary can help.