I am not sure if you are yet aware of the insults and general tone in your arguments jem, so I colored one in for you. Perhaps if you adopted a better temper you may get reasonable discussion. Unless of course your attitude is that you are owner of the moral high ground, in which case just makes what you say look pathetic.Quote from jem:
I think the definition of atheism as "literally" being without theism is not correct.
Main Entry: athe·ism
Pronunciation: 'A-thE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god
1 archaic : UNGODLINESS, WICKEDNESS
2 a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity
from websters.
Replacement STU is duplicating arguments made by axeman. I do believe his arguments are weak. But I am sure he will find some support for his arguments from some crackpot athiests on the net.
The real question comes down to whether you accept a biased atheist definition for atheism or a traditional definition.
By the way this is sort of a microcosm of the downfall of society.
We have liberals redefining everything to fit their own concepts. It is very orwellian indeed.
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jem, explain this for me....
- Main Entry: apo-lit-i-cal
Pronunciation: "A-p&-'li-ti-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : having no interest or involvement in political affairs; also : having an aversion to politics or political affairs
2 : having no political significance
from websters
Here Websters do not acknowledge the 'a' in 'a' political. It is widely accepted that the 'a' is from the use in Greek which used as a prefix denotes the meaning 'without'. So 'a' political becomes
- "1 :having no interest or involvement in political affairs; also
- 2 : having no political significance[/i]
Now look at the dramatic change in emphasis and explanation .....
Here Websters do acknowledge the 'a' in 'a' theos.
- Main Entry: athe-ism
Pronunciation: 'A-thE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god
1 archaic : UNGODLINESS, WICKEDNESS
2 a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity
But in my view, especially for the modern era, attributing a meaning "without God" (a- theos) as only an extended meaning which infers - if not declares - "without recognizing the righteousness of an Almighty Creator God and the wickedness that person has thereby committed" (the archaic interpretation).... must clearly and wrongly be attributing the 'a' to a meaning of purposely or intentionally having 'none' or 'no' theism.
Whereas it is known that people have 'no' or 'none' or are 'without' things for other reasons than only those which Webster explain and certainly not by purposeful intent . Belief and disbelief being the purposeful intent Websters (wrongly in my view)only refers to.
As in political, the usage of Greek 'a' against political (a-political) has the same and valid explanation for usage against the word theism (a-theism)...so we have
a-theism:
1 : having no interest or involvement in theistic affairs; also : having an aversion to religion or religious and theistic affairs ( I don't agree that definition necessarily follows)
2 : having no theistic significance.
So people are a-political because for one reason politics is of no significance to them. So people are a-theist because for one reason theism is of no significance to them. Neither need be insignificant because that person intends or wants either to be insignificant.
I think that reasonable. You want to call me names for that or discuss it? Let me guess ...you will assume you must be right and call names anyway intending to offend 'cause you think a Theos is on your side.