Can anyone define Atheism? Is it undefinable?

Question

I know people will shout at me for my ignorance, but plese try to use tiny little words so I can understand.

I thought it was just a refusal to believe in God, but apparently I was really off the mark. There seems to be much more to it than that. Do Atheists shun religion altogether? Is there a moral or ethical code? Or are all Atheists "self-styled"?

No links please.

And this is genuine curiousity here. I am honestly confused on this topic and would like not to offend any Atheists on Y!A or anywhere else.

Ms. Taurus, forgive me. I am truly struggling here. Perhaps "simply" would be preferable to "just".

I also said "refusal to believe in God" because no one has proved there is no God either (at least to me).

And while it's great to have the info on Humanism, I really wanted to know about Atheism specifically.

Sorry, Instinct. I just trying to be respectful to Atheists and give the same consideration I would to a Christian, Muslim, or Jewish person.

Answer 1

Absence of belief in any gods.

Answer 2

Atheism is the lack of belief in deities. (Note that it's not "refusal," which has connotations of the idea that we "know" there's a god but petulantly don't acknowledge it.)

Of course atheists have moral and ethical codes. Some atheists are religious. We aren't a defined group, though. Some atheists are nihilists, some are secular humanists, some are egoist. The only thing we definitely have in common is a lack of belief in god/s. Any other similarities are mostly coincidental.

Answer 3

Atheist-agnostic: Absence of belief in a god or gods. "I do not believe in God." Are open to theism.
Atheist-gnostic: Absence of belief in a god or gods *and* active denial. "I know God does not exist (100%)." Are closed to theism.

All atheists have only the absence of belief in god(s) in common - everything else is different in each individual. So morality and feelings towards religion are not set for every atheist equally.

Also, just so you know, the absence in A god means that everyone is an atheist to something. Christians are atheistic to all other gods, but their own. But typically, when talking about atheists it is meant of the ones who disbelieve in all gods ever thought up of by humans.

Answer 4

I like the term humanism as opposed to athiesm. Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 5

It is often argued that religion is valuable because it makes men good, but even if this were true it would not be a proof that religion is true.
Santa Claus makes children good in precisely the same way, and yet no one would argue seriously that the fact proves his existence. The defense of religion is full of such logical imbecilities.

Answer 6

I define my atheism as a lack of belief in any higher/divine/supernatural power. It is really an extension of my rationalist tendencies. I don't believe in anything supernatural, like ghosts, goblins or pixies and by extension god/gods.

Also, the 'a' in atheism does not need to be capitalized, like you've done in your question. It is not a proper noun.

Answer 7

Atheists do not believe in the existence of God - hence they believe religion is a man made delusion and not God inspired as theists do.

Answer 8

It is zero belief in deities. It's not hard to define.

We are just individual people not a connected group, there is no rule book or "codes," we just go by the morals and values we were taught growing up by our family and society.

P.S. "...just a refusal to believe in God..." is rude, just so you are aware.

Answer 9

Atheism is just a lack of God belief. The word "refusal" really is irrelevant and arrogant. Do you "refuse" to believe the earth is flat or do you just not believe the earth is flat.

Answer 10

another religious nut trying to insult athiesm, yes it has a definition, unlike other religions which have denominations,dects,orders,etc. athiesm is the disbelief in religion altogether, god,jesus,muhammad,and the rest of them. athiesm is based upon logic and reason, things that can be proved and have been proved.

Answer 11

Ignorance of God.