Difference between revisions of "Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism"
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''See also:'' [[Atheism, dogmatism and strong atheism]] and [[Atheism and open-mindedness]] and [[Atheism and dogmatism]] and [[Atheism and groupthink]] | ''See also:'' [[Atheism, dogmatism and strong atheism]] and [[Atheism and open-mindedness]] and [[Atheism and dogmatism]] and [[Atheism and groupthink]] | ||
| − | + | [[File:Richard Dawkins 2006.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] was one of the founders of [[New Atheism]].]] | |
Because the traditional definition of atheism existed for centuries, the existence of outspoken and dogmatic atheists (see: [[New Atheism]] and [[Atheist activist]]) and because atheism [[Definition of atheism#Advocacy of a broader definition of atheism: 19th century and contemporary efforts|lacks proof and evidence that it is true]], atheists are often accused of being [[dogma]]tic. | Because the traditional definition of atheism existed for centuries, the existence of outspoken and dogmatic atheists (see: [[New Atheism]] and [[Atheist activist]]) and because atheism [[Definition of atheism#Advocacy of a broader definition of atheism: 19th century and contemporary efforts|lacks proof and evidence that it is true]], atheists are often accused of being [[dogma]]tic. | ||
Revision as of 19:54, August 10, 2019
Atheism, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and other philosophy reference works, is the denial of the existence of God.[1] Paul Edwards, who was a prominent atheist and editor of the Encyclopedia of Philosophy, defined an atheist as "a person who maintains that there is no God." [2] This traditional definition of atheism is also called strong atheism or positive atheism.
In the late 19th century and more broadly in the latter portion of the 20th century, the proposition that the definition of atheism also include a mere lack of belief in God or gods began.[3] It is now common for atheists/agnostics and theists to debate the meaning of the word atheism.[4] This newer definition of atheism is called weak atheism.
In terms of contemporary definitions of atheism, the Webster-Merriam Dictionary defines atheism in two ways: "1) a lack of belief or a strong disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods 2) a philosophical or religious position characterized by disbelief in the existence of a god or any gods."[5] Oxford English Dictionies defines atheism as "Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods."[6]
Charles Bradlaugh, in 1876, proposed that atheism does not assert "there is no God," and by doing so he diluted the traditional definition of atheism.[7][8][9] Since 1979, many atheists have followed Bradlaugh's thinking further and stated that atheism is merely a lack of belief in any god.[9][10] The motive for such a shift in meaning appears to be to an attempt to shift the burden of proof regarding the existence of God to the theism side.[9]
In the article, Is Atheism Presumptuous?, atheist Jeffery Jay Lowder, a founder of Internet Infidels, 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."[9] In short, the attempt to redefine atheism is merely an attempt to make no assertions so no facts need be offered.[9] 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.[7][8][9] In addition, the atheist community has often used deception to promote their ideology.
Unlike Christianity, which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: Christian apologetics), atheism has no proof and evidence supporting its ideology. In addition, atheists/skeptics do have a tradition of making assumptions that later have proved errant.[11] Also, prominent atheists, such as Charles Darwin (see: religious views of Charles Darwin ), have experienced doubts concerning the validity of atheism.
This redefinition blurs the distinction between saying, "There is no God", and "I don't know whether God exists or not." It lets people say, "I don't believe in God," without clarifying whether they are denying God's existence (which is atheism) or are merely uncertain about it (which is agnosticism).
Atheism, dogmatism and strong atheism
See also: Atheism, dogmatism and strong atheism and Atheism and open-mindedness and Atheism and dogmatism and Atheism and groupthink
Because the traditional definition of atheism existed for centuries, the existence of outspoken and dogmatic atheists (see: New Atheism and Atheist activist) and because atheism lacks proof and evidence that it is true, atheists are often accused of being dogmatic.
For example, in his BBC documentary The Trouble with Atheism the award-winning journalist Rod Liddle indicates:
| “ | Some atheists have become rather dogmatic. Terribly certain in their conviction that there is no God and anyone who thinks there is is a deluded and dangerous fool. ,,,atheists are becoming as intransigent about their own views as the people they so despise.
Atheism is becoming a religion of its own. It already has its gurus and its revered sacred texts... It has its magnificent temples within which lie mysteries and unknowable truths.[12] |
” |
In addition, research indicates that atheists are more dogmatic/closed-minded (see: Atheism and open-mindedness and Atheism and dogmatism).
Atheism as a religion
See also: Atheism is a religion
Atheism is a religion and this has implications in terms of the disciplines of religion, philosophy, Christian apologetics and law.[14] In addition, although many atheists deny that atheism is a worldview, atheists commonly share a number of beliefs such as naturalism, belief in evolution and abiogenesis.[15]
If the view that there is no God (or are no gods) is a religion, it is argued its expression is constitutionally protected in the United States.[16] The government cannot force atheists to recant and adopt the opposite belief.
In his BBC documentary The Trouble with Atheism the award-winning journalist Rod Liddle indicates:
| “ | Some atheists have become rather dogmatic. Terribly certain in their conviction that there is no God and anyone who thinks there is is a deluded and dangerous fool. ,,,atheists are becoming as intransigent about their own views as the people they so despise.
Atheism is becoming a religion of its own. It already has its gurus and its revered sacred texts... It has its magnificent temples within which lie mysteries and unknowable truths.[17] |
” |
If atheism is not a religion, then the expression of atheistic ideas is still covered by the First Amendment, but only by the free speech and free press clauses.
The implications go deeper, affecting public education. If atheism is a religion, then the atheism adhering to the methodological naturalism of physical science cannot be given excessive government support. That would violate the establishment of religion clause. So, evolution education would have to allow students freedom to dissent from the "orthodox" pseudoscientific view that human beings evolved from earlier forms of life without any intervention from God. It should be noted that biology courses only require knowledge of what the theory of evolution, its mechanisms, and the evidence supporting it, rather than belief that evolution occurred.[18]
In 2013, a trend of atheist churches began and atheist church services were reported on in the New York Times, The Blaze and other major news outlets.[19]
See also
- Implicit and explicit atheism
- Atheist worldview
- Atheism and beliefs
- Atheists doubting the validity of atheism
- Atheist factions
- Weak atheism
- Strong atheism
- Atheism and irrationality
- The question atheists fear
- Decline of global atheism
- Atheism and cowardice
- Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
- Evidence for Christianity
External links
- Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist by Professor Ralph McInerny
General articles on atheism and agnosticism:
- Atheism by Creation Ministries International
- Atheism, agnosticism and humanism: godless religions by Creation Ministries International
- Atheism by Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
- Atheism, Agnosticism, and Skepticism Synopsis of Understanding Secular Religions by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart
Notes
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). "Atheism and agnosticism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).
- Merriam-Webster dictionary: Atheism - a disbelief in the existence of deity; the doctrine that there is no deity. Origin of atheism: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god [1]
- Atheism: a + theos, denying god, (Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology-1966).
- Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). "Atheism is more rational?". See Creation Ministries International, Jonathan Sarfati.
- Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology".
- Definition of atheism by William Lane Craig
- Putting the Atheist on the Defensive by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.
- ↑ Putting the Atheist on the Defensive by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.
- ↑ Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology".
- ↑
- The Atheism Vs. Agnosticism “Debate”
- Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology". Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford Dictionaries, due to their British influence (Atheism is more popular in Britain than in the United States and many other countries where English is spoken, see: Atheist population and Secular Europe and Atheism statistics), now offers the definition of atheism to be "Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods." which is a departure from its historical meaning before a broader definition of atheism began to be more widely advocated in the latter portion of the 20th century (see: "Atheism - etymology")
- ↑ Atheism, Webster-Merriam dictionary
- ↑ Atheism, Oxford online dictionary
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Is Atheism More Rational by Creation Ministries International
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm
- ↑ Positive Atheism's Big List of Charles Bradlaugh Quotations
- ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html
- ↑ BBC Documentary The Trouble With Atheism BBC Horizon Documentary
- ↑ Atheist Church Split: Sunday Assembly And Godless Revival's 'Denominational Chasm', Huffington Post, 2014
- ↑ Is Atheism a religion? by Daniel Smartt, Published: 4 May 2010(GMT+10)
- ↑
- ↑ The Supreme Court has said a religion need not be based on a belief in the existence of a supreme being. In the 1961 case of Torcaso v. Watkins, the court described "secular humanism" as a religion. Court rules atheism is a religion
- ↑ BBC Documentary The Trouble With Atheism BBC Horizon Documentary
- ↑ See Kenneth Miller's testimony in Selden v. Cobb County', available at [2], p. 178
- ↑
- In the Bible belt offering atheists a spiritual home - NY Times, 6/24/2013
- [Bizarre Trend: Atheist Sunday Morning ‘Worship’ Services Are on the Rise (Minus God, of Course)]
- London's First Atheist Church Opens Tomorrow