Changes

Since atheism is ''dis''belief in God, it is important first to identify ''which god'' the atheist does not believe exist.  In ancient times, for example, Christians were accused of being atheists because of their disbelief in the pagan gods, even though they believed in the ''Christian'' God.<ref>Athenagoras, ''A Plea for the Christians, 2d century a.d.[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/athenagoras-plea.html]</ref>  Socrates was also accused of Atheism, although references to God run throughout his recorded statements.<ref>Plato, Apol., 26,c.</ref>  Also, [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Baruch Spinoza]] professed belief in "god," but their god was nature, and had no personality.  Therefore, one can be considered an atheist with respect to one god, but a theist with respect to another.  Therefore, in seeking to understand an atheist, it is important to understand first in ''what God'' the atheist disbelieves.

Since atheism is ''dis''belief in God, it is important first to identify ''which god'' the atheist does not believe exist.  In ancient times, for example, Christians were accused of being atheists because of their disbelief in the pagan gods, even though they believed in the ''Christian'' God.<ref>Athenagoras, ''A Plea for the Christians, 2d century a.d.[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/athenagoras-plea.html]</ref>  Socrates was also accused of Atheism, although references to God run throughout his recorded statements.<ref>Plato, Apol., 26,c.</ref>  Also, [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Baruch Spinoza]] professed belief in "god," but their god was nature, and had no personality.  Therefore, one can be considered an atheist with respect to one god, but a theist with respect to another.  Therefore, in seeking to understand an atheist, it is important to understand first in ''what God'' the atheist disbelieves.

=== Reasons for disbelief ===

=== Stated Reasons for disbelief ===

There are two main reasons for disbelief: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]]), and the conviction 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 state two main reasons for disbelief in God: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]]), and the conviction 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 ===

=== Manifestations ===