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→Types of Atheism
[[Image:Atheist-symbol.png|right|thumbnail|right|250px|An Atheist Symbol <ref>http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp</ref>]]
[[Image:Atheist-symbol.png|right|thumbnail|right|250px|An Atheist Symbol <ref>http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp</ref>]]
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]] or gods.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]] or gods.<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>
==Attempts to Dilute the Definition of Atheism==
Since 1979 proponents of atheism have often been attempting to dilute the [[definition of atheism]] to mean a mere [[agnosticism|lack of belief]] there is a God or gods.<ref name="DivCon">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 name="DivCon" />
In the article, ''Is Atheism Presumptuous''?, atheist [[Jeffery Jay Lowder]], a founder of [[Internet Infidels]] which is one of the principle websites for atheists, [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and [[Philosophical skepticism|skeptics]] 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 name="DivCon" />
In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is a merely an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.<ref name="DivCon" /> 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/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref><ref name="DivCon" />
==Types of Atheism==
==Types of Atheism==
There different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:
There different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:
* Theoretical atheism: atheism of the mind -- that is, ''believing'' that God does not exist.
* Theoretical atheism: atheism of the mind -- that is, ''believing'' that God does not exist.
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist. <ref>Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''A letter to American Christians'' spoke of "practical atheism".[http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln10117.html]</ref>
* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist. <ref>Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''A letter to American Christians'' spoke of "practical atheism".[http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln10117.html]</ref>
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==