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'''Weak atheism''' (sometimes referred to as "negative [[atheism]]") describes a belief system and philosophical stance whereby a person lacks a belief in gods. It differs from [[strong atheism]], which goes further than a simple lack of belief and makes an assertion that no gods exist. It also differs from [[agnosticism]], in that a weak atheist says they do not believe in any gods, while agnostics do not know whether or not any gods exist.
'''Weak atheism''' (sometimes referred to as "negative [[atheism]]") describes a belief system and philosophical stance whereby a person lacks a belief in gods. It differs from [[strong atheism]], which goes further than a simple lack of belief and makes an assertion that no gods exist. It also differs from [[agnosticism]], in that a weak atheist says they do not believe in any gods, while agnostics do not know whether or not any gods exist.
A common criticism of the concept and term "weak atheism" is that it is not a form of atheism and it is indistinguishable from [[agnosticism]] (see: [[Definition of atheism]] and [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]).
Weak atheism is based on the belief that the ''[[theist]]'', not the atheist, bears the burden of proof to show that any gods exist, because it is the theist who is asserting the existence of an entity. Weak atheists typically compare belief in gods with belief in other equally indemonstrable beings like "flying spaghetti monsters,"<ref>http://www.venganza.org/</ref> or "invisible pink unicorns,"<ref>http://www.invisiblepinkunicorn.com/</ref> and argue that, "The person attempting to prove that the [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] exists has the burden of proof. In the absence of sufficient proof to warrant belief, I am justified in disbelieving in all these beings."
Weak atheism is based on the belief that the ''[[theist]]'', not the atheist, bears the burden of proof to show that any gods exist, because it is the theist who is asserting the existence of an entity. Weak atheists typically compare belief in gods with belief in other equally indemonstrable beings like "flying spaghetti monsters,"<ref>http://www.venganza.org/</ref> or "invisible pink unicorns,"<ref>http://www.invisiblepinkunicorn.com/</ref> and argue that, "The person attempting to prove that the [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] exists has the burden of proof. In the absence of sufficient proof to warrant belief, I am justified in disbelieving in all these beings."