As adjectives, do 'atheist' and 'atheistic' mean the same thing for you?

Question

I was watching the news this morning, and the anchor fella referred to China as "atheist", but I'm thinking 'atheistic' would have been a more appropriate description. 'Secular' seems like it'd be... kinda black & white, in a way, otherwise I'd have suggested that.

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Answer 1

eh....

I tend to see adjectival atheist as the belief in no god and atheistic as resembling the belief in no god, more in the atheist-esque sense of the word (we get -ic from -esque) but they can mean the same thing.

So atheist China would mean China as a whole being atheist, and atheistic China would mean China resembling atheist in practice.

In fact, I think the harder modifier (lacking the suffix) is probably more accurate for Atheistic-by-mandate.

Answer 2

each and every individual is born with the mild of Christ. it somewhat is, they're born understanding magnificent and incorrect. (you have in no way be humbled till you have had a three 365 days previous placed you on your place) with the aid of fact of this lots of religions have lots of the comparable undemanding values and morals. that isn't any longer it somewhat is grew to become into lost in translation, it only stepped forward. Like a extensive game of telephone. It have been given replaced slightly right here, and slightly there. And POOF, you have yet another faith. that's the comparable way with christianity. while a individual comes to a decision they do in comparison to a particular rule, or rules, they pass and make their own faith to healthful their desires. And it is going from there. i individually have faith that when God blended up their languages, he gave each and each part of people a different little bit of actuality. So no one have been given the completed version. this finished subject we call existence isn't something greater suitable than a attempt. all of us understand what we could consistently do and we do it, and we pass to heaven. i think of God put in greater credit. We could locate each and all the products of the puzzle and stay it. It is sensible. maximum religions are sturdy and we must be greater effective human beings if we tried on a number of their values. which includes inner peace, enlightenment, giving thank you for each thing we get carry of, and thoroughly respecting mom Nature.

Answer 3

"Atheist" sounds more like a noun than an adjective to me. I'm not surprised that news anchors would misuse the language these days, just disappointed. I also find a lot of poor grammar in newspapers and magazines these days. And these people are SUPPOSED to be PROFESSIONALS!

Answer 4

You're right that he should have said 'atheistic'. Atheist is not an adjective. Secular has a different meaning entirely. If he was talking about the political system, he should have said secular.

Answer 5

Sounds like he really hasn't thought about what he means. Or if he has he is a theist who like some want to vilify the word.

If a government were truly atheist or atheistic it would be religiously neutral because it would simply be "without theism".

Answer 6

No Atheist means the person. Atheistic refers to that person's beliefs.

Answer 7

I agree with Labgrrl's assessment.

I think atheist as an adjective would mean "of an atheist" whereas atheistic would mean "like an atheist."

For example, disbelief in God is an atheist belief, whereas disbelief in aliens is an atheistic belief.

Answer 8

Isn't Atheist also refered to as a noun? An atheist? And isn't it interesting that an atheist isn't a theist? oh boy...

Answer 9

I would say that one is a noun and the other is an adjective.

Answer 10

i think a person is more than their label, so i prefer atheistic, but i think only cerebral people make that distinction. it's easier to say atheist.