Don't marry an Atheist.

[90GT50]

Who gives a shit about labels? Believe whatever you want, just don't push your beliefs on me, I don't care what yours are. I used to go to church every sunday, the older I got, the more skeptical I was, and the probability of a god existing in my opinion decreased.

I did go to church about a month ago with some people I work with out of boredom and them pestering me. The subject that night was about relationships, the preacher went on and on about how christians and non-christians shouldn't get married or be together. Seemed stupid to me, you can still have a relationship without agreeing 100% on everything.

[racrguy]

Then what would be the label for someone who believes there is no god?

Atheist, right? That's not my belief.

Shouldn't there be a term to differentiate between someone who doesn't actively believe there is a god and someone who actively believes there is not a god? They are definitely two different things.

There is a label for that. Gnostic atheist, as described earlier.

[Maddhattter]

Then what would be the label for someone who believes there is no god?

Atheist, right? That's not my belief.

Correct.

Shouldn't there be a term to differentiate between someone who doesn't actively believe there is a god and someone who actively believes there is not a god? They are definitely two different things.

There's no need for an additional term. While pronouns exist to allow differentiation, it's not required. The dichotomy is theism (belief in a deity/s) and atheism (non-belief in a deity/s). Those who actively believe this is not a deity, still does not believe there is one.

[jluv]

Correct.



There's no need for an additional term. While pronouns exist to allow differentiation, it's not required. The dichotomy is theism (belief in a deity/s) and atheism (non-belief in a deity/s). Those who actively believe this is not a deity, still does not believe there is one.

An atheist believes there is no god. That's not what I believe, therefore I'm not an atheist. It's that simple.

[Maddhattter]

An atheist believes there is no god.

This is true in the same way that all squares are rectangles.

To reiterate, I agree. People who believe there is no got are atheists. However, not all atheists believe that. The majority of atheists simply don't believe a god exists.

That's not what I believe, therefore I'm not an atheist. It's that simple.

By way of the fact that I've already stated, and sourced, the definition of atheist as someone who lacks a belief in a god/s in this thread, that definition is the proper dichotomy to theists, it's the most inclusive definition and the definition that's used by atheists, in general, it's obviously not that simple.

If you're scared of using the label for whatever reasons, I've no issues with that. It's silly, but not a big deal. If you really want to say that you're not an atheist, become a theist. That's you're only true alternative to avoid the label because it applies whether you want it to or not.

[jluv]

This is true in the same way that all squares are rectangles.

To reiterate, I agree. People who believe there is no got are atheists. However, not all atheists believe that. The majority of atheists simply don't believe a god exists.



By way of the fact that I've already stated, and sourced, the definition of atheist as someone who lacks a belief in a god/s in this thread, that definition is the proper dichotomy to theists, it's the most inclusive definition and the definition that's used by atheists, in general, it's obviously not that simple.

If you're scared of using the label for whatever reasons, I've no issues with that. It's silly, but not a big deal. If you really want to say that you're not an atheist, become a theist. That's you're only true alternative to avoid the label because it applies whether you want it to or not.

I'm not scared of shit. I just don't agree with your interpretation.

The first definition I found in a search is this:

noun1. a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

And that does not apply to me.

Are you of the belief that everyone is either a theist or an atheist?

[Maddhattter]

I just don't agree with your interpretation.

You don't agree with the definition and how it's generally used. "My interpretation" is not what's being used here.

I'm not scared of shit.

Then what's the problem with accepting a label that properly describes you?

[Maddhattter]

The first definition I found in a search is this:

noun1. a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.

And that does not apply to me.

You're own definition agrees with me. If you disbelieve that "a supreme being or beings" exists, you're saying that you don't believe. Disbelief is not a claim that the antithesis of a claim is true, only that you don't believe the claim. Also, denying something is not saying that the antithesis is true either. It's only rejecting the truth of the claim being made. Which is what you do when you don't believe something.

Are you of the belief that everyone is either a theist or an atheist?

That's what the definition, even the one you provided, says.

Do you believe that all squares are rectangles?

[jluv]

[quote=Maddhattter;1322913]You don't agree with the definition and how it's generally used. "My interpretation" is not what's being used here.

That's where you're wrong. The definition makes it clear that I am not an atheist. It's only your interpretation that suggests otherwise.

Then what's the problem with accepting a label that properly describes you?

It doesn't properly describe me. That's the point.

[jluv]

You're own definition agrees with me. If you disbelieve that "a supreme being or beings" exists, you're saying that you don't believe. Disbelief is not a claim that the antithesis of a claim is true, only that you don't believe the claim.



That's what the definition, even the one you provided, says.

You are mistaken.

I do not deny the existence of a supreme being. I do not disbelieve.

I neither believe nor disbelieve. Are you unable to accept that this is possible?

[Maddhattter]

That's where you're wrong. The definition makes it clear that I am not an atheist. It's only your interpretation that suggests otherwise.

Which definition? The one you provided agrees with me as did the one I provided earlier in this thread.

It doesn't properly describe me. That's the point.

If it doesn't describe you then, by definition you're a theist and believe in a god/s. That's okay too.

[Maddhattter]

You are mistaken.

Then why can't you demonstrate that?

I do not deny the existence of a supreme being. I do not disbelieve.

I neither believe nor disbelieve. Are you unable to accept that this is possible

If you do not believe then you, by definition, disbelieve and deny.

I understand that you do not believe the antithesis of the claim, but that is not what an atheist does, by definition. Though those who actively believe that there is not god/s also disbelieve and deny the god claim and that lack of belief in the god claim is what makes them atheist, not their believe that there is no god/s.

[jluv]

Which definition? The one you provided agrees with me as did the one I provided earlier in this thread.



If it doesn't describe you then, by definition you're a theist and believe in a god/s. That's okay too.

You keep talking in circles. If an atheist, by definition, denies the existence of god, then that does not fit me at all.

However, if a theist actively believe that there is a god, then I'm not a theist, either.

Do you believe that every person must be one or the other?

[jluv]

Then why can't you demonstrate that?

I have, whether you acknowledge it or not.

If you do not believe then you, by definition, disbelieve and deny..

Not so, no matter how many times you say it.

[Maddhattter]

I have, whether you acknowledge it or not.

You're assertion, and providing evidence that supports me is not a demonstration of your position.

Not so, no matter how many times you say it.

I've not only said it, I provided evidence that demonstrates it. I can do that because it's not my interpretation of things that make it this way, it's their definitions.

You keep talking in circles. If an atheist, by definition, denies the existence of god, then that does not fit me at all.

I've not gone in a single circle. If you do not deny, then you accept the existence of a god. So, if ti does not fit you, you are a theist.

However, if a theist actively believe that there is a god, then I'm not a theist, either.

Then you do not accept that a god/s exist. That means you're denying it, by definition.

Do you believe that every person must be one or the other?

That's what the definition, even the one you provided, says.

Do you believe that all squares are rectangles?