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→Manifestations of atheism
Atheists claim there are two main reasons for their denial of the existence of God and/or disbelief in God: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]] which is also sometimes called positive atheism), and their claim that theists bear the burden of proof to show that God exists, that they have failed to do so, and that belief is therefore unwarranted ([[Weak atheism]]).
Atheists claim there are two main reasons for their denial of the existence of God and/or disbelief in God: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]] which is also sometimes called positive atheism), and their claim that theists bear the burden of proof to show that God exists, that they have failed to do so, and that belief is therefore unwarranted ([[Weak atheism]]).
=== Manifestations of atheism===
=== Some common manifestations of atheism ===
Below are three common ways that atheism manifests itself:
Below are three common ways that atheism manifests itself:
* [[Militant atheism]] which continues to suppress and oppress religious believers today (see also: [[Atheism and communism]]).
* [[Militant atheism]] which continues to suppress and oppress religious believers today (see also: [[Atheism and communism]]).
* [[Philosophy|Philosophical]] atheism - Atheist philosophers assert that God does not exist.
* [[Philosophy|Philosophical]] atheism - Atheist philosophers assert that God does not exist.
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist.<ref>Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''Rediscovering Lost Values'' spoke of "practical atheism".[http://www.globatron.org/truth/rediscovering-lost-values-martin-luther-king-early-sermon]</ref>
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist.<ref>Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''Rediscovering Lost Values'' spoke of "practical atheism".[http://www.globatron.org/truth/rediscovering-lost-values-martin-luther-king-early-sermon]</ref>
=== Atheist factions ====
''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]
Jacques Rousseau wrote in the ''Daily Maverick'': "[[Elevatorgate]]..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2011-07-13-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-rip-my-soul Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul]</ref> An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of [[Atheism|Atheist]] positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain [[Atheist factions]]."<ref>[http://www.atheism-analyzed.net/The%20Reasoning%20Atheist.htm Atheism Analyzed]</ref>
==== Testimony of Blair Scott about atheist infighting ====
[[Blair Scott]] serves on the [[American Atheists]] board of directors.<ref>http://www.atheists.org/about/Board_of_Directors</ref> Mr. Scott formerly served as a State Director for the [[American Atheists]] organization in the state of [[Alabama]]. On December 1, 2012 he quit his post as a director of outreach for the American Atheist due to infighting within the American atheist movement (see: [[Atheist factions]]).
Mr. Blair wrote:
{{cquote|I have spent the last week mulling over what I want to do at this point in the movement. I’m tired of the in-fighting: at every level. I am especially tired of allowing myself to get sucked into it and engaging in the very behavior that is irritating..me.<ref>[http://news.atheists.org/2012/12/01/an-open-letter-from-blair-scott/ An Open Letter from Blair Scott]</ref>}}
== Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism ==
== Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism ==