Is the word 'belief' inadequate?

Question

I'm really frustrated by it. When somebody says "Oh, he doesn't believe in God," I want to imprison said person in an iron ball and fire them into the Sun. It isn't a strong enough word and it isn't even correct semantically, given how my Atheism is not attributable to lack of Belief, but upon mounds of reasoning and Scientific rumination. I would prefer:

"Oh, he reasons that there is no God. What a wally!"

or

"Oh, he is convinced there is no God. Not One!"

This would make me happy.

Conversely, how do Theist feel about this? Is 'belief' a strong enough word? If you consider the Bible as proof that God exists (as many do), then 'belief' is erroneous, isn't it?

I am utterly bemused by all of the Theists answers.

I'm not trying to sway you to atheism, I just want you to answer if you think 'Belief is a strong enough word for your Theism???

Jana11:

Thanks for your honest response.

No, I do not know there is a God, but then, 'reasoning' and 'conviction' does not imply that. The point is, these are stronger words than 'belief' and are more befitting to my Atheism.

Answer 1

You're right, just point out that lack of belief in God is not a belief system, it is a rejection of a crude and juvenile belief system like that of santa claus.

Atheism is not a collection of beliefs as such. I have wondered recently that there should be a term for scientifically literate people who have no superstitions at all, I feel the term might be required as I've started to feel embarrassed by 'atheists' who believe in ghosts.

Answer 2

It doesn't bother me anymore. The irony theists create by those words - you do not believe in god - is funny.

It shows lack of understanding due to ignorance and a one dimensional worldview. Yet, the theist is usually well educated not only about the material world, but also various systems of belief.

The majority of answers on this question substantiate this.

To come back to your question - there is an essential difference between 'believing IN something' and 'believing that a predictable eventuality will take place'.

'IN' requires faith, which the atheist lacks and the theist has in prescriptive degrees. Why do I believe in?

'THAT' requires evidence aka empirical measurement. I believe that the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe that my car will start when I turn the key. Why do I believe that?

I read something once – What is reality? That which does not go away when you stop believing in it.

So no, the word belief is not inadequate. It is erroneous application that causes your frustration. I prefer to be referred to as faithless as opposed to not believing in. But what does it all matter in the end?

Answer 3

Surely it would be more correct to say that 'belief' is better expressed by using the verb 'imagine'. Thus, one would not say 'I believe in God' but 'I imagine God' because there is no other proof of God other than a self-willed imagining, less kindly called a delusion.

Remember, if only one man claims to see it, it is a delusion; if thousands claim to see it, it is a religion.

Answer 4

You are arguing over the use of a word simply because you want to rid yourself of any associative idealogy utterly and absolutely which isn't possible because you have no solid foundation of evidence to support your "findings"...If you could say..."I have discovered that there is not god..." or "due to the facts in evidence I have concluded that no god exists.." then you could simply present your evidence and the word belief would be erroneous. However, reasoning and convincing by way of reasoning is all done with thought which is the basis of belief. You don't "know" there is no god. You only "believe" there is no god. When you know something for fact...then it goes with out reason and there is no need to be convinced..it just is. Or isn't..depending on the criteria. Are you convinced the sun is not up just cuz you can't see it? Maybe you reason that rain comes from clouds? "Belief" is rendered powerless only when the subject in question is answered, suspended or supported, by substantiation of proof. So atheist or believer...the criteria is still the same. You must have faith in your own understanding of existance...you are and there is no god. Therefore, you are self existant right? There is no higher life form than you? You are it? Then you...by way of logic...are you're own 'god'. So either way...a god of some sort exists even if you don't believe it...or even if you don't believe in the right One. As for what theists believe based from the Bible (though I wonder why all atheists, sweeping generalization, tend to reference Christians and the Bible and not all of the hundred or so other religions available) all comes from reason, logic and understanding to the opposite affect. We believe we are created by a self-exsistant God who is a higher being than ourselves and that we are not God. So He exists for us just as you exist for you. We are convinced by means of a different criteria toward our own conclusion just as you are convinced by means of your own criteria toward your own conclusion. However, belief is still belief and in the end...it will all come down to two things....when you die...either you will have come to the correct conclusion that you are it or I, as a believer will have been called to the correct conclusion that He is it. So...the term belief is adequate if you are willing to be content with it. If not...then be unhappy over a word and wish evil things on people...For me, its entirely powerful because my faith is all I have and I have alot to be grateful for because I believe. I wish you for you the same blessings. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 5

Belief as far as I am concern doesn't fit into individuals category but by groups that thrives in ones lifelong quest of uniqueness of its own existence.

Thereby, belief was installed upon ones existence with or without ones consent.

And people difficulty to accept that without belief, they just tend to exist.

Answer 6

To really believe in something, you need about 4 things. One is verbal testimony where those in the know tell you (as in the Bible), Second is comparison where you compare the testimony to things familiar to you (e.g. prayer-meditation). Third is experience (you must experience religion or the matter being testified about). Fourth is inference or conclusion based on accepted rules.(If nothing can come out of nothing, what was the first cause that created Creation?).

Answer 7

Thank you.
I, too, have great frustration over the use of the word 'belief', 'believe.'
Do you believe in god? ....they ask.
Believe what? .....I reply.
That term is so vague. Its half a thought.
Personally, I'd appreciate the other half.

Answer 8

You are right

Answer 9

thank you for proving once again there is a God and his word is true

Psalm 14:1 is you

Answer 10

God is pure Love.