Atheists & Agnostics
In reply to the discussion: Crisis: I am about ready to renounce atheism. [View all]PassingFair
(22,434 posts)Enough that I am tired of trying to argue about it.
Merriam/Webster
Definition of ATHEISM
1
archaic : ungodliness, wickedness
2
a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity
See atheism defined for kids »
American Heritage Dictionary
a·the·ism
(ā'thē-ĭz'əm) pronunciation
n.
Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
The doctrine that there is no God or gods.
Here is a definition of Atheism from a group of atheists from a court case in 1963:
Your petitioners are atheists and they define their beliefs as follows. An atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now here on earth for all men together to enjoy.
An atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it, and enjoy it.
An atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.
He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man.
He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter.
He believes that we are our brother's keepers and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now.
Last week, I was talking to a believer who ALWAYS says, "Well, I'm a Christian, you know" every time
she wants to talk about values or ethics. I have never told this woman that I'm an atheist. Last week,
however, in response to her "Well, I'm a staunch Christian", I said "Well, I'm a staunch Agnostic, and I
think you're right about ..."
It was WAY easier than telling her that I was an atheist, and she didn't respond to my "outing" myself at all.
We were on the phone, so I don't know what her facial expression might have told me.....