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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]]).
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]]).
=== Manifestations ===
=== Manifestations of Atheism===
There are three ways that atheism manifests itself:
There are three ways that atheism manifests itself:
* [[Militant atheism]] which continues to suppress and oppress religious believers today especially in [[Communism|Communist]] countries.
* [[Militant atheism]] which continues to suppress and oppress religious believers today especially in [[Communism|Communist]] countries.
* 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>
==Attempts to Dilute the Definition of Atheism==
==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>
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>