The word atheism occasions a lot of confusion if not unease in the general public particular the god-fearing public. This word carries with it many connotation, but in fact its meaning is quite simply;

Theism simply means a belief on god.

Atheism, means lack of a belief in god.


These are the simple rudimentary meaning of both worlds. On this basic meaning atheism makes no statements about the existence or non-existence of god(s). An atheist just lack the belief. Thus a child who has not been instructed in god-beliefs is an atheist. People who live in civilisation where they do not have god-beliefs are atheists.

These are my working definitions of these words. I know other non-theists have other definitions, but these are the ones I prefer.

tpaine,

tpaine:

The word atheism occasions a lot of confusion if not unease in the general public particular the god-fearing public. This word carries with it many connotation, but in fact its meaning is quite simply

If atheism carries MANY CONNOTATIONS, why narrow it down to just one - particularly one that YOU cannot defend?

tpaine:

Atheism, means lack of a belief in god.

Atheism is a BELIEF stated as positively as theists state their propositions.

tpaine:

On this basic meaning atheism makes no statements about the existence or non-existence of god(s).

This is poor logic. No wonder it has gone largely ignored! My dear, atheism ACTUALLY makes a statement about the question of the existence God. Hint: Atheism is reknowned as the only belief that states passionately that "THERE IS NO GOD!" That is a statement - consult your dictionary.

tpaine:

An atheist just lack the belief.

An atheist of your type has always believed his lack.

tpaine:

Thus a child who has not been instructed in god-beliefs is an atheist.

I am not aware of any child (or child-atheist) who has made any statement such as "THERE IS NO GOD". Furthermore, no child of atheistic leaning has sought to debate the existence of God - simply because they are not making any statement (whether positively stated ["GOD exists"] or negatively stated ["GOD does NOT exist"/"There is NO God"]).

tpaine:

People who live in civilisation where they do not have god-beliefs are atheists.

Such examples as. . .?

tpaine:

These are my working definitions of these words. I know other non-theists have other definitions, but these are the ones I prefer.

The ones you "prefer" actually say it all - it is too narrow to be taken seriously.

There is no yellow ogre with a unicorn flesh hat sitting in my closet. Yes, that is my positive belief.

Good one - I like your honesty!