what does atheist really mean?how do people classify you as atheist?

Answer 1

It just means they believe there is no God whatsoever.

Answer 2

Athiest:

Atheism, as a philosophical view, is the position that either affirms the nonexistence of gods[1] or rejects theism.[2] When defined more broadly, atheism is the absence of belief in deities,[3] alternatively called nontheism.[4] Although atheism is often equated with irreligion, some religious philosophies, such as secular theology and some varieties of Theravada Buddhism, also lack belief in a personal god.

Many self-described atheists are skeptical of all supernatural beings and cite a lack of empirical evidence for the existence of deities. Others argue for atheism on philosophical, social or historical grounds. Although many self-described atheists tend toward secular philosophies such as humanism[5] and naturalism,[6] there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere.[7]

The term atheism originated as a pejorative epithet applied to any person or belief in conflict with established religion.[8] With the spread of freethought, scientific skepticism, and criticism of religion, the term began to gather a more specific meaning and was sometimes used as a self-description by atheists.

For more, go to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

: )

Answer 3

Atheist - derived from the Greek word 'theos', meaning God, and the prefix 'a', meaning no or non. It can be translated as 'one without God.'

People classify one as an atheist by asking them if they are an atheist. If they say yes, they are an atheist (assuming they are not being sarcastic).

Easy as that!

Answer 4

Secular Humanism is a more appropriate term. You can find more out about them by going directly to their websites: the Atheist Alliance or The American Atheist. by definition it is a religion.

Answer 5

It means not believing in a creator or superior being.

People don't classify YOU as an atheist -- it's none of their business -- but you have every right to classify YOURSELF as an atheist.

I have.

Answer 6

got to love latin prefixes. "a" is a latin prefix that means away, or away from. Theism is a belief in the existance of a god or gods. Therefore, an atheist turns away from the belief of god.

Answer 7

An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in God - it really doesn't get any more complicated than that.