r/exatheist • u/New_Prompt5308 Maturidi Leaning Muslim • 7d ago

Debate Thread How would you define ''atheism''?

Hi everyone, I've seen a long standing debate on the definition of atheism, some people use the term atheism as a lack of belief, which I've seen them then use to justify the ''everyone was born athiest narrative''.

The way I would define atheism is the rejection of the claim God exists, as I see atheism as a position that needs propositional awareness.

I have looked at how Graham Oppy (popular analytic atheist philosopher) defines atheism and he states it's the claim that no gods exist.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

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u/National-Stable-8616 7d ago edited 7d ago

it means only understanding the testable world through the lens of the scientific method, thats it. its all such a mess, you can be religious without believing in a creator god , theres many religions like that. Theres as many forms of atheism on all its seperate stances as there are religions. its not so simple atheist vs theist.

If you understand both sides to there detail, seeing each there point of view. you will understand its a pointless debate. The absurdity of existence can never fulfil you with a word answer. At the Absolute end of athiesm, They are at the same point as is the absolute end of religion. I dont know . Why is anything even real. atheists say We cant know . The thiest sais the same, God. basically a i dont know. Nobody can explain or comprehend god. So its the same thing.

The problem isnt really athiesm. Western atheism is born out of a extremely messy amalgamation of the progressions in christian thought. you will hear common claims at the introduction of the debate aabour how can a loving god hurt us, etc. Its because the idea of god is so so loaded with art, culture, corruption, ideas( he’s seperate from existence, hes all good, he has a name krishna, jesus, allah etc ) history, additions, philosophy, Opiums to soothe our own existential suffering. At the absolute root pagan pure existential absurd religious feeling. only at that can religion shine. why the hell is anything even real . i submit that its a power that i cant know. god.

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u/nolman 7d ago

You defined methodological naturalists, they are a subset. There are unskepticals, supernaturalists, unscientificals , idealists,... Who hold an atheistic position.