View What is atheism anyway
A significant amount of Christian apologia directed at atheists stands and falls (usually the latter) with the definition of atheism. There are several observations to make.
First, atheism is position taken in response to theism. It is pointless and close to irrational to debate nuanced definition of atheism when it is the theist who has to go first and define exactly what it is they believe in. Instead of quibbling over the definition of atheism, it makes a lot more sense to leave it at: “Whatever it is that you theists believe in, I don’t”. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with wearing the label of atheism like a badge of honor, negative connotations among the religious or not.
Second, a label does not authoritatively define personal beliefs and values. Everybody but Christian apologists understands that dictionary definitions are simplified and just a starting point. They insist on erecting strawmen based on what somebody accepting the label atheist should believe in based on the dictionary definition of their choice, instead of answering to the positions most atheists actually hold.
So what’s an atheist? Not a theist. It’s up to any single one of us to determine where we stand with regards to the myriad of deities theists believe in.
But there is one quite fitting term, though its normally used in the sense of an insult: non-believer.
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