Is this an Accurate and Easily understood definition of Atheism?

[Tcg]

.
I recently heard this definition of atheism:

"Atheism is the condition of not believing that a God or deity exists."

I think it is clearer than the one I usually espouse which is that atheism is the lack of belief in god/gods. The only issue I have with is its singular nature. Perhaps, Atheism is the condition of not believing that any gods or deities exist, would be better.

Is this a good definition?


Tcg

[Longfellow]

- Some of what I've seen in atheist forums and blogs looks to me like nothing but Christian-bashing, defining "atheist" in a way that makes it okay for people to insult and mock people for believing in God without evidence, while excusing themselves from providing any evidence for their premise that all God beliefs are false.

Again with the "Christian-bashing" accusations and the misunderstanding that atheism suggests that "all God beliefs are false." Totally wrong on both counts. Atheism is the lack of belief that gods exist. That's it. As I've pointed out previously, some atheists are Christain so how could it be a "Christian-bashing" stance? I'll answer as I don't expect to get one. It isn't.

Oh, and once again if you haven't noticed, Christians aren't the only theists around.

Do you think that there is no Christian-bashing in atheist forums and blogs?

I'm not saying that atheism suggests that all God beliefs are false, I'm not saying that it's a Christian-bashing stance, and I'm not saying that Christians are the only people who are called theists.

[Tcg]

- Some of what I've seen in atheist forums and blogs looks to me like nothing but Christian-bashing, defining "atheist" in a way that makes it okay for people to insult and mock people for believing in God without evidence, while excusing themselves from providing any evidence for their premise that all God beliefs are false.

Again with the "Christian-bashing" accusations and the misunderstanding that atheism suggests that "all God beliefs are false." Totally wrong on both counts. Atheism is the lack of belief that gods exist. That's it. As I've pointed out previously, some atheists are Christain so how could it be a "Christian-bashing" stance? I'll answer as I don't expect to get one. It isn't.

Oh, and once again if you haven't noticed, Christians aren't the only theists around.

Do you think that there is no Christian-bashing in atheist forums and blogs?

Where did I suggest that?

I'm not saying that atheism suggests that all God beliefs are false, and I'm not saying that it's a Christian-bashing stance.

Glad to see you recant your earlier accusations.


Tcg

[brunumb]

Do you think that there is no Christian-bashing in atheist forums and blogs?

What has that got to do with this forum and this discussion? If I identify as an atheist does that somehow mean I am engaging in Christian-bashing? This thread is just about a definition of atheism. Sheesh.

[Longfellow]

If I identify as an atheist does that somehow mean I am engaging in Christian-bashing?

No.

[oldbadger]

He is making a funny.

So was I......

Definitions or descriptors can often be short. 'Footballer - one who plays football' (1). Or 'professional footballer - one who plays it professionally'. Sure there can be questions, about whether it's American or European, but the basics are simple and correct. I get the quip, that one needs to be prolix to sound authoritative, but one doesn't have to write reams to be correcct.

edit -p.s. I mean whether it is American football (Rugby in body armour) or European football, called 'Soccer' for some reason - I can't imagine the derivation. And derivations..I have to mention that I find it hilarious when gamers talk straightfaced about the joystick, which of course derives from aviation because with the old WWI biplanes the control - mechanism was a stick that stuck up between the legs of the pilot. I should love to know when the joking term first appeared in a serious instruction manual.

(1) and of course, just to knock on the head the absurd attempt to discredit atheism, the correct descriptor is not 'one who does not play any game (professionally) other than football' (which is probably true, professionally) is true but not the best or clearest descriptor, and you certainly wouldn't use it to 'prove' that it was a dislike of games.

Well written, imo. fwiw
On the side....... We really should copy them 'mericans with respect to our rugby and their football.
We regularly hear about rugby players being permanently disabled and it's high time that rugby introduced rules about body armour.
When I was 10yrs I watched a school match where a large powerful 'Cerise House' winger burst past all the 'Grey House' forwards and charged on towards the touch line with only one single (slightly built) Grey House Full Back in the way. This 11yr old braveheart tackled the Cerise winger and the whole school could hear the full-back's collar bone snap as both players went down. Absolutely totally irresponsible to encourage children to play this game, methinks.
But since it would cost a grand to outfit a kid with body armour it might be better for them to play/learn fooball/soccer. And if they're good at it then they might earn a fortune.

[oldbadger]

[Replying to oldbadger in post #353]

Out on the street I suspect if someone defined themselves as an agnostic, the listener may think to themselves, "Well at least you're not one of them dirty atheists." I don't get it. The term atheist carries a lot a cultural baggage based on previous misconceptions. Oddly enough, some (certainly not you) seem to be adding more misconceptions rather than attempting to understand what a person means by the term and helping to dispel those misconceptions.

Yep! Back in the day (early 50's) people occasionally mentioned atheists in conversation and I learned that those people were 'Commies'. The word 'Commie' destroyed a person more sweetly than, say, 'drunk' or 'womaniser'...etc....
Personally I wouldn't mind if a womanising alcoholic atheist might live next door. Nor would my Missus....... when she hears the neighbours chucking crateloads of bottles in to the collection bins she giggles gorgeously. And she doesn't judge womanising or manising atheists either.

In spite of the opinions some hold about us, we really aren't horrible people. Well, some are, but that's true of any group. One can be a nice person and still get their membership card.

Tcg

I wouldn't join your club......... the beer is absolute rubbish.

[TRANSPONDER]

- Some of what I've seen in atheist forums and blogs looks to me like nothing but Christian-bashing, defining "atheist" in a way that makes it okay for people to insult and mock people for believing in God without evidence, while excusing themselves from providing any evidence for their premise that all God beliefs are false.

Again with the "Christian-bashing" accusations and the misunderstanding that atheism suggests that "all God beliefs are false." Totally wrong on both counts. Atheism is the lack of belief that gods exist. That's it. As I've pointed out previously, some atheists are Christain so how could it be a "Christian-bashing" stance? I'll answer as I don't expect to get one. It isn't.

Oh, and once again if you haven't noticed, Christians aren't the only theists around.

Do you think that there is no Christian-bashing in atheist forums and blogs?

I'm not saying that atheism suggests that all God beliefs are false, I'm not saying that it's a Christian-bashing stance, and I'm not saying that Christians are the only people who are called theists.

If there is Christian bashing, they should either refute it or put their hands up to their faults. If you are going to get in a fight, don't complain if you get a few bruises.

If you said that atheism suggests that all God -beliefs are false, you wouldn't be far wrong If they are beliefs about God, they are (I suggest) probably wrong. It's an -evidence -based stance that deserves to be said and heard and should not be subjected to attempts to silence us, e.g by trying to shame us by calling it 'Christian -bashing', whether you are saying so or not. That's the way it is. And you are right, many Theists are not Christians or even religious. But it is generally Christians with whom atheists get into disputes. Muslims sometimes, Jews, rarely, Hindus and Buddhists, hardly at all.

[Replying to oldbadger in post #353]

Out on the street I suspect if someone defined themselves as an agnostic, the listener may think to themselves, "Well at least you're not one of them dirty atheists." I don't get it. The term atheist carries a lot a cultural baggage based on previous misconceptions. Oddly enough, some (certainly not you) seem to be adding more misconceptions rather than attempting to understand what a person means by the term and helping to dispel those misconceptions.

Yep! Back in the day (early 50's) people occasionally mentioned atheists in conversation and I learned that those people were 'Commies'. The word 'Commie' destroyed a person more sweetly than, say, 'drunk' or 'womaniser'...etc....
Personally I wouldn't mind if a womanising alcoholic atheist might live next door. Nor would my Missus....... when she hears the neighbours chucking crateloads of bottles in to the collection bins she giggles gorgeously. And she doesn't judge womanising or manising atheists either.

In spite of the opinions some hold about us, we really aren't horrible people. Well, some are, but that's true of any group. One can be a nice person and still get their membership card.

Tcg

I wouldn't join your club......... the beer is absolute rubbish.

An atheist - ghetto - locality is usually fun, but noisy at night. Education is generally good, but the Sunday church - attendance is usually rubbish.

[Tcg]

I wouldn't join your club......... the beer is absolute rubbish.

Much of it is. I've been to New Belgium Brewing in Ft. Collins, CO and they make some fabulous beers. Yuengling out of Pottsville, PA claims to be America's Oldest Brewery and makes a great Lager. That beer with the big horses, not so much.


Tcg

[TRANSPONDER]

I wouldn't join your club......... the beer is absolute rubbish.

Much of it is. I've been to New Belgium Brewing in Ft. Collins, CO and they make some fabulous beers. Yuengling out of Pottsville, PA claims to be America's Oldest Brewery and makes a great Lager. That beer with the big horses, not so much.


Tcg

Comes from the horses.

[Longfellow]

Yes, you are right. We can't help what people think it means. And it wouldn't matter if theist apologists didn't use the wrong meaning to argue that atheism is illogical (or a Faith', or doesn't exist) when use of the correct meaning shows that not believing is a logical response to not knowing and it is theism, believing what they do not know) that is illogical.

Thank you. That helps me understand better what this is all about for some people.