Proponents of atheism since 1979 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> One of the reasons why some proponents of atheism have been attempting to dilute the definition of the term atheism is to shift the burden of proof regarding the existence of God.<ref>http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm</ref> In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist Jeffery Jay Lowder candidly 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</ref>In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref>http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm</ref> This definition, however, is not in accordance with how encyclopedias of philosophy standard definitions of 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> | Proponents of atheism since 1979 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> One of the reasons why some proponents of atheism have been attempting to dilute the definition of the term atheism is to shift the burden of proof regarding the existence of God.<ref>http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm</ref> In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist Jeffery Jay Lowder candidly 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</ref>In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref>http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm</ref> This definition, however, is not in accordance with how encyclopedias of philosophy standard definitions of 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> |