Atheism, Belief that there is not a god, or Lack of belief in a god?

Question

Some claim that atheism is a belief that there is no god, others say its not a belief, but a lack of belief.

What do you think, and show some evidence that supports your case.

Answer 1

Atheism is the disbelief[1] in the existence of any deities.[2] It is contrasted with theism, the belief in a God or gods. Atheism is commonly defined as the positive belief that deities do not exist, or as the deliberate rejection of theism.[3][4][5] However, others—including most atheistic philosophers and groups—define atheism as the simple absence of belief in deities[6][7][8] (cf. nontheism), thereby designating many agnostics, and people who have never heard of gods, such as newborn children, as atheists as well.[9][10] In recent years, some atheists have adopted the terms strong and weak atheism to clarify whether they consider their stance one of positive belief (strong atheism) or the mere absence of belief (weak atheism).[11][12][13]

Many self-described atheists share common skeptical concerns regarding supernatural claims, citing a lack of empirical evidence for the existence of deities. Other rationales for atheism range from the philosophical to the social to the historical. Although atheists tend toward secular philosophies such as humanism, rationalism, and naturalism, there is no one ideology or set of behaviors that all atheists adhere to.[14][15][16]

In Western culture, atheists are frequently assumed to be irreligious or non-spiritual.[17] However, some religious and spiritual beliefs, such as several forms of Buddhism, have been described by outside observers as conforming to the broader, negative definition of atheism due to their lack of any participating deities.[18][19] Atheism is also sometimes equated with antitheism (opposition to theism) or antireligion (opposition to religion), despite many atheists not holding such views.

Answer 2

your asking for evidence that some people define atheism one way and others define it another.

Or restate your question. written the way you have it you are asking whether the belief is a belief.

The belief in God or the unbelief in God is a statement about a persons personal world view.

On the otherhand if what you meant to ask is if the object of a persons belief concerning the actual existence of God is valid, this cannot be proven or disproven.

For one thing, a universal negative is logically unknowable.

A persons relationship to God is a personal and subjective experience. Since there is no way you can actually leave your own body and enter into another to experience what they experience as truth through their relationship to God your question is really pointless. You might as well try to explain to a person without a tongue what chocolate tastes like or describe the color green to a sightless person.

All your question really does is generate animosity. Those who do not believe as you do cannot be won over by pointing out the failures in their personal beliefs. If you really want to be effective try living out your own presuppositional truths according to its dictates that would cause others to stand up and take notice.

Answer 3

Webster dictionary online defines atheism as 1.a disbelief in the existence of deity 2: the doctrine that there is no deity

and an agnostic as : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god.

Sorry it's not exactly either/or, but then isn't that typical for the subject matter.

By the way, Yoda, you're a funny guy, but you don't KNOW diddly. While I'd have to agree there couldn't be a dimwitted creator god as depicted in the bible, and who cares if there is, he's on permanent ignore, but beyond that, you cannot say. Keep on reading. There are some really fascinating ideas floating around. No point in having a really strong opinion about something you don't know.

Answer 4

both mean the same thing, just said differently. in other words, belief that there is not a god IS lack of belief in a god

although, going against the dictionary, i'd call atheism the realization that there is no god

Answer 5

The Seal gave the best answer on this:

Weak atheism = lack of belief

Strong atheism = belief that their is no God

Answer 6

Atheism is a belief by non believers of God

Answer 7

Really it's the lack of belief in a god, but many people use it to mean the belief that there is no god to distinguish atheism from agnosticism.

Answer 8

Atheism literally translates to without belief in a god or gods.

Answer 9

The only evidence I have is my own. I have never seen or read about any concrete evidence supporting the existence of a deity. Therefore, I do not believe. I have no belief.

Answer 10

Either, really. But lack of belief is indifference, and belief that there is not a god is straight out rejection. Belief that he could be there, but we can't possibly know whether he is or whether he's not is agnosticism.