A Definition of Atheism

"Atheism is not the absence of belief in god plus certain positive beliefs: atheism is the absence of belief in god."

Atheism:  The Case Against God by George W. Smith

Among the apologetic arguments that is offered is the concept that atheism is itself a belief system that makes positive statements.  For the purpose of this definition we shall examine two concepts and realize the difference in what atheists state and what apologetics presumes is stated.

Consider the following:

a)  I do not believe in god

b)  I believe there is no god

While seemingly similar, these statements are, in fact, entirely different.  The person making statement (a) is saying that they have found no compelling reason to believe in the existence of a god.  No other statement or assertion is made, only that the arguments for the existence of a god are insufficient to warrant belief.  No argument is required to be made in support of the statement.

Statement (b) however does make a positive assertion:  that there is a belief that god does not exist.  Such an assertion places the person making the statement in the position of having to offer arguments in support of the statement.

While atheism is populated by a variety of philosophies, just as any system of thought ever has been, for the purpose of this website we ascribe to the definition that it is absence of belief, not belief of absence. 

Stand up now and be counted!!

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