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Atheism (view source)

Revision as of 03:53, July 31, 2014

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→‎Types of atheism

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''See also:'' [[Schools of atheist thought]] and [[Atheist factions]]

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~~There are different types of atheism, based on different answers to the following questions:~~

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===Atheism and why do atheists state they disbelieve?===

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* What [[God]] or gods does the atheist deny?

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* Why does the atheist deny?

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* How does the atheist's denial manifest itself?

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=== Atheism and ~~Which God or gods~~? ===

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Since atheism is denial of the existence of God or gods, it is important first to identify in which God and/or gods the atheist denies. In ancient times, for example, Christians were accused of being atheists because of their denial of the pagan gods, even though they believed in the ''Christian'' God.<ref>Athenagoras (2nd century A.D.). [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/athenagoras-plea.html ''A Plea for the Christians'']. Retrieved from earlychristianwritings.com Early Christian Writings, July 16, 2014.</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 they defined "God" as the cosmos as a whole, and without personality.

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~~===Atheism and why do atheists state they disbelieve?===~~

Atheists claim there are two main reasons for their denial of the existence of God and/or disbelief in God: the conviction that there is positive evidence or argument that God does not exist ([[Strong atheism]] which is also sometimes called positive atheism), and their claim 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]]). For more information, please see: [[Causes of atheism]].

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