Who else thinks that Atheist is not a good word to define us? I mean there aren't terms for people who Deny Astrology or Fairies or Ghosts. What would be a better term?
The Definition is "a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings." But I think people blow it way out of proportion.
2007-01-22 02:57:49 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Agreed on all counts.
2007-01-22 03:01:09 · answer #1 · answered by Radagast97 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The word seems appropriate if one wishes to be defined by a negative. If I fit that label, I suppose I'd wish more to be defined by a positive term, like Rationalist, Philosopher or Scientist, but then those would not link me to the world of religion as "atheist" would. If the term is kept, it will always link the person claiming the label to the world of religion and put the person automatically on the defensive (or offensive, depending on point of view). It has an element of rebellion in the very word, a reaction against the idea of a supreme being or beings. Atheist cannot survive without Theist--it would become an absurdity.
2007-01-22 11:24:06 · answer #2 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find it funny when people say religion is going to die out. As much as some people may want it to die out, it will never happen. Even the lack of religion, which is what atheism is supposed to be, can be classified as a religion by the mere definition of the word.
Religion: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
Religious: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality OR deity
Faith: firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
And I am not sure the term atheist should be changed to pro-philosophy since the idea is not mutually exclusive to the group where the term atheist is mutually exclusive to those who do not believe in a deity.
Regarding the moral values of an atheist, which I believe someone mentioned it as being synonymous with the term atheist, I think it is a common misconception by people who believe this that because you are atheist you have no moral beliefs. As a Christian I disagree with this and any Christian who makes this statement. What I do believe is that because Christians moral values are defined by the 10 Commandments then their idea of what is right and wrong is black and white, meaning there is no gray area for justifying when we do wrong. Were atheists differ on this is that because generally I see their morals are loosely based on the 10 Commandments they tend to have an idea of what is right and wrong, but their idea of right and wrong is subjective. Another words there is the gray area. They will tell you its wrong to lie, cheat, steal, etc., but they can often justify times when doing these things are ok, which happens to usually be when they are the ones doing it, not that anyone even Christians aren't guilty of this, but through God's eyes they are black and white.
2007-01-22 12:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by Bruce Leroy - The Last Dragon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheist is a good term if people understood what it means. the problem is, most people don't. It means literally "free from theism" or "without theism". That means anyone who considers themselves to not hold any religious or "theistic" beliefs is an atheist. It doesn't have to mean you believe there is no god, although those people would fall into that category as well. The problem is, that people have gotten this idea that an atheist is someone who thinks there is absolutely no god, and that's just not the true meaning of the term.
~Kyle
2007-01-22 11:02:40 · answer #4 · answered by Kyleontheweb 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in any god or gods. The word suits me fine.
I don't face too many people in my working day who believe in ghosts or fairies, nor do those who do present me with any difficulties in the way I live my life. I can't see the problem with the word that describes my beliefs in comparison to such a large and vocal body of believers.
EDIT
Is this another American problem? There's no stigma attached to the word atheist in the UK so we don't worry about it. But if it is to counteract the stigma, shouldn't the stigma just be removed by reason? Avoiding usage is to make a concession. Let them get used to the idea that there are people who don't believe in a god. It isn't that hard to grasp. And we don't eat babies.
2007-01-22 11:03:44 · answer #5 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People will always blow things out of proportion. We can't be surprised that people who believe in magic, living forever, and worldwide floods would be rational and stick to the real definition of atheist. We only have this word because most of the world believes in magic and hold on to primitive views. If most of the world believed in magical elves, they'd need a name to define those that didn't.
2007-01-22 11:03:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I've thought about this - why do people get so involved in something they don't even believe? Like I don't believe in aliens but I don't debate them constantly, I just don't think about it and don't accept it. But I suppose the term atheist exists because there are so many Theists who center their life around their creed, so Atheists simply make a statement by casting away all theism from their life.....
People just like labels, I guess, it helps make things black & white
good vs. evil
liberal vs. conservative
humanitarian vs. tyrant
righteous vs. self-rigtheous
good music vs. Panic at the Disco
etc
2007-01-22 11:09:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know there aren't words for people who believe in Fairies or Ghosts either (astrology, I'll grant you, is has astrologist) . As soon as you have a word for one belief, generally you have a word for the opposite.
2007-01-22 11:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by Tom :: Athier than Thou 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't believe in God - and generally reject all supernatural faiths and beliefs.
Atheism is a necessary term to distinguish us from theists - however it is bad classification to identify something by what it is not. When education is much better and humanity develops further religion will die out and there will be no such thing as an atheist anymore than there are afairyists now.
2007-01-22 11:01:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think the word atheist is mostly used as a synonym for amoral. I think it should be replaced by a positive word as opposed to a negative. Perhaps pro-philosophy. It's a little long but you get my drift.
2007-01-22 11:03:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why not? It's a fair term and word. We should respect one another regardless of faith or not. Love your enemies. If you love those that love you are you any better than theives and murderers who love each other?
2007-01-22 11:02:12 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋