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Line 38: − + − ''See also:'' [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]] and [[Definition of atheism]] and [[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic]]+ − − [[File:Charles Bradlaugh.jpg|thumb|right|195px|[[Charles Bradlaugh]] ]] − [[Charles Bradlaugh]], in 1876, proposed that atheism does not assert "there is no God," and by doing so he diluted the traditional [[definition of atheism]]. Since 1979, many atheists have followed Bradlaugh's thinking further and stated that atheism is merely a lack of belief in any god.<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm Atheism - Etymology]</ref> <ref>[http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/bradlaugh.htm Positive Atheism's Big List of Charles Bradlaugh Quotations]</ref> The motive for such a shift in meaning appears to be to an attempt to shift the burden of proof regarding the existence of God to the [[theism]] side.<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm Atheism - Etymology]</ref> − − In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist [[Jeffery Jay Lowder]], a founder of [[Internet Infidels]] which owns and operates the Secular Web (the Secular Web is a website focused on promoting atheism, [[agnosticism|agnosticism]] and [[Philosophical skepticism|skepticism]] on the internet), states that "I agree (with Copan) that anyone who claims, "God does not exist," must shoulder a burden of proof just as much as anyone who claims, "God exists."<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm Atheism - Etymology]</ref> − In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is merely an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm Atheism - Etymology]</ref> The attempt to redefine atheism, however, is not in accordance with the standard definitions of atheism that encyclopedias of philosophy employ which is that atheism is a denial of the existence of God or gods.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism Stanford Encyclopedia of Philisophy - Atheism and Agnosticism]</ref><ref name="cw"/><ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm Atheism - Etymology]</ref> − − Atheism often relies on asserting fragile assumptions that are contrary to the existing evidence (see also: [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]] ).<ref> − *[http://www.examiner.com/x-19682-Atlanta-Church--Culture-Examiner~y2009m8d13-Arguments-Built-upon-Assumptions] − *[http://www.examiner.com/x-19682-Atlanta-Church--Culture-Examiner~y2009m8d10-Atheisms-house-of-cards-Part-3] − *[http://creation.com]</ref> In addition, atheists/skeptics do have a tradition of making assumptions that later have proved errant.<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html</ref> Also, prominent atheists, such as [[Charles Darwin]] (see: [http://www.conservapedia.com/Charles_Darwin#Religious_Views_of_Charles_Darwin religious views of Charles Darwin] ), have [[Atheists doubting the validity of atheism|experienced doubts concerning the validity of atheism]].
→Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism
{{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>}}
{{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 ===
See :[[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]
== Biblical statements concerning atheism ==
== Biblical statements concerning atheism ==