Redefining Atheism

Atheists have for some time wanted to redefine “atheism”. Let’s look at the accepted meanings of the word. A few definitions found via Google’s “Define” command:

The doctrine or belief that there is no God.

The belief that God does not exist.

A belief that there are no gods. Greek “a-theos”: without-god.

This word comes from two Greek words, a the negator, and theos, God. Atheism teaches that there is no God of any kind, anywhere, anytime.

These would be the standard, commonly accepted definitions of atheism. But hold up there a minute, there’s more. I’m a big fan of the OED. Let’s see what she has to say:

atheism: (from Greek atheos, “without God, denying God”) Disbelief in, or denial of, the existence of a God. Also, Disregard of duty to God, godlessness (practical atheism).

You see there the seeds of the debate. The debate is “disbelief” versus “deny the existence of”.

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“Scientists, like many others, are touched with awe at the order and complexity of nature. Indeed, many scientists are deeply religious. But science and religion occupy two separate realms of human experience. Demanding that they be combined detracts from the glory of each.” -
The National Academy of Sciences

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