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→Types of atheism
== Types of atheism ==
== Types of atheism ==
Atheism is often divided into two types: [[strong atheism]] and weak atheism. The principle difference between the two forms of atheism is that strong atheism retains the burden of proof, asserting that there is affirmative evidence or reason to deny the existence of God, while weak atheism asserts that [[theists]] have the burden of proof, and that theists have not provided sufficient reason to justify belief in God. In other words, strong atheists claim they can affirmatively show that God does ''not'' exist, while weak atheists claim only that theists cannot show that God ''does'' exist.
Proponents of atheism, most notably atheist debaters, have been attempting to dilute the definition of atheism to a mere lack of belief there is a God or gods.<ref>http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm</ref> This definition, however, is not in accordance with how encyclopedias of philosophy define atheism which state that atheism is a denial of the existence of God or gods.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>
However, Atheism is often divided into two types by the atheist community: [[strong atheism]] and weak atheism. The principle difference between the two forms of atheism is that strong atheism retains the burden of proof, asserting that there is affirmative evidence or reason to deny the existence of God, while weak atheism asserts that [[theists]] have the burden of proof, and that theists have not provided sufficient reason to justify belief in God. In other words, strong atheists claim they can affirmatively show that God does ''not'' exist, while weak atheists claim only that theists cannot show that God ''does'' exist.
The difference between these two types of atheism can cause some confusion in [[debate]] between theists and atheists. Often, an atheist will attempt to justify the conclusion of strong atheism with arguments supporting weak atheism, falling into a [[non sequitur]] fallacy. Similarly, theists sometimes attempt to challenge weak atheism with arguments against strong atheism, falling into a [[straw man]] fallacy.
The difference between these two types of atheism can cause some confusion in [[debate]] between theists and atheists. Often, an atheist will attempt to justify the conclusion of strong atheism with arguments supporting weak atheism, falling into a [[non sequitur]] fallacy. Similarly, theists sometimes attempt to challenge weak atheism with arguments against strong atheism, falling into a [[straw man]] fallacy.