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'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]].<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]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>  

== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==

== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilisation of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature—I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away.”(Argyll 1885, 244] <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>}}

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilisation of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature—I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away.”(Argyll 1885, 244] <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref>}}

==Attempts to Dilute the Definition of Atheism==

=== Are there any genuine atheists? ===

[[Image:Vantil.gif|thumb|150px|right|Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] affirmed there are no atheists.]]

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>

 

 

* Why does the atheist deny the existence of God or gods or claim to disbelieve a God or gods exists?

=== Stated Reasons for Denial or Claimed Disbelief ===

[[Image:Vantil.gif|thumb|150px|left|Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] affirmed there are no atheists.]]

Some Christians believe that disbelief is not based on the above reasons, but that atheism stems from rebellion on the part of atheists who ''refuse'' to believe that God exists.  They point to statements such as Paul's argument that the existence of God is obvious to all:

Some Christians believe that disbelief is not based on the above reasons, but that atheism stems from rebellion on the part of atheists who ''refuse'' to believe that God exists.  They point to statements such as Paul's argument that the existence of God is obvious to all:

There is also the aforementioned tenuousness of the atheism in Charles Darwin and Jean-Paul Sartre who claimed to be atheists.

There is also the aforementioned tenuousness of the atheism in Charles Darwin and Jean-Paul Sartre who claimed to be atheists.

 

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." <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" />

Since atheism is the denial of God or of gods or a claimed disbelief in God or gods, it is important first to identify ''which god'' the atheist denies exist or claims to disbelieve.  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, ''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 they were [[pantheist]].  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 denies or claims to disbelieve.

 

There are two ways that atheism manifests itself:

* Theoretical atheism: atheists who ''claim'' that God does not exist.

* Practical atheism: atheism of the life - that is, ''living'' as though God does not exist. Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] in his sermon ''A letter to American Christians'' spoke of "practical atheism".<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2001/cln10117.html</ref>

== Claims of the Conditionality and Nonconditionality of Atheism ==

== Claims of the Conditionality and Nonconditionality of Atheism ==