atheism
- 1The belief that no gods exist, and sometimes a refusal of other religious beliefs.
Like being sure a rumor is false, not just being unsure about it.
Her atheism meant she never prayed or went to church.
He explained his atheism by saying he saw no proof of any god.
Similardisbelief, unbelief, nonbelief
Oppositetheism
Note
- 2Not believing in any gods, or thinking there is not enough proof that a god exists.
Like not buying something because you are not convinced, rather than because you dislike it.
His atheism grew from never finding a good reason to believe in any god.
Their atheism was simply a lack of belief, not a firm claim.
Oppositetheism
Note
- 3Not believing in any gods: including never even having the idea of a god.
Like a fish having no opinion about bicycles: the idea just never comes up.
A newborn's atheism is just having no idea that gods could exist.
On the widest meaning, an animal's atheism is simply having no god in its mind.
Similarnonbelief
Oppositetheism
Note
- 4Refusing all religions, even ones that have no gods.
Like refusing to join any club at all, not just the ones with a leader.
His atheism rejected every religion, even ones without any gods.
Her atheism went further than gods, turning away from all religions.
Similarirreligion
Note
Less common meaning
- 5Not believing in one certain god or set of gods, while still believing in others.
Like refusing to bow to one king while still serving another.
The Romans accused the Christians of atheism for refusing to honor the old gods.
Sacrificial religion becomes redundant – which is why Christianity did indeed have a reputation in the ancient world for atheism: it rejected the key duty humans are thought to owe to the gods, namely sacrifice.
2010, Ross Thompson, Buddhist Christianity: A Passionate OpennessHere, atheism means not believing in the usual gods, while still believing in another god.Note
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Origin
It comes from a Middle French word meaning "atheist," which came from a Greek word meaning "godless" (from "without" plus "god").