This question is for theists [Christians, Muslims, Jews, Ásatrúars, Hindus, etc.]
Atheists, you of course may answer as well, but I'd really like to find out how "atheism" is defined by theists.
2007-11-28 11:30:19 · 18 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The absence of belief in deities.
Did I miss something - is this a trick Q?
2007-11-28 11:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by D2T 3 · 9⤊ 0⤋
I generally define Atheism as a person that does not follow a religious tradition/path. They may or may not believe in a higher being, supernatural entity, higher consciousness, God, divinity, or some cosmic force that keeps things in order of the universe.....or whatever terminology you want to choose. I only say this because my best friend is an Atheist. She doesn't follow a religion, but is not at a point where she'd say that definately there isn't "something" out there. At the moment she's concluded that there isn't that "something" out there and until she discovers the "whatever" for herself then her position is that there is no "whatever" for her to discover. To me, that's the defination of Atheism since that is the defination I learned from some of my cousins who are also Atheists. I wouldn't categorize all of my friends who don't practice or claim a religion as Atheists, though. Some are Agnostics. I define Agnostics as those who do not follow a religious tradition/path and say that there isn't any proof either way that there is or is not "whatever" to believe in, thus they choose not to deal with the question of whether there is or is not "whatever", but instead focus on spirituality and ethics, etc, from other foundations (looking through different religions, philosophies, etc.....looking at themselves and asking the question "how would I feel if this happened to me or was done to me?" and other questions and making ethical decisions that way.
Great question.
Peace be with you
2007-11-28 19:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Atheists do not believe in god(s). Most also do not believe in the exisence of the supernatural or paranormal at all.
We do not "hate" god. God is imaginary.
We are not "afraid" of god. See above.
We are not confused about it, an atheist is certain about what constitutes reality and the fact that god(s) are not part of it.
Someone who is not sure, is called agnostic.
2007-11-28 20:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lack of belief in God(s) or a Higher Power.
2007-11-28 19:51:25 · answer #4 · answered by River 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Atheists are people who reject the divine power of Cod (I'm trying to revive the meme for no reason other than missing it the first time).
2007-11-28 19:49:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The word "atheist" comes from the old Greek language. It means "without God".
Atheist is a person who doesn't share the idea of the existence of God (or Gods).
Atheists respect religion and their people.
I'm Catholic.
2007-11-28 19:41:54 · answer #6 · answered by QWERTY 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
O no!
Someone who HATES God and wants to kill him. Someone who doesn't know that dinosaurs and humans walked the earth at the SAME TIME. Someone very dumb and kind of stupid, a tad ridiculous and inherently offensive. That is what an "atheist" is.
I should know. I am one.
2007-11-28 21:09:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think the root word is "theism" which means belief, and a- added to it makes it anti-belief so atheism means that.
2007-11-28 19:52:28 · answer #8 · answered by subprimelendor 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Someone that does not believe in a Deity or higher power.
2007-11-28 19:33:32 · answer #9 · answered by Link strikes back 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I can understand not knowing. I can understand getting tired of searching. I can understand quitting. What motivates a quitter to mock those still looking?
2007-11-28 19:50:54 · answer #10 · answered by Mike B 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋