Atheist Definitions

What do we mean when we say we are atheists? http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/atheist

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[websnarf]

Then no "reputable" dictionary has been written by atheists. A belief that there is no god is called "strong atheist", its a very rare position, and it does not represent me.

I am sorry that you consider "belief" to be a credible state of mind for you, but it simply is not for me. Believing something means you ascent to it; and why do you do that without reason? If you do it with reason, then it is no longer belief.

[dexarouskies]

All these subsets of atheism reminds me of the subsets of Christianity already.

[websnarf]

Personally, it reminds me of a scientific conference where all sorts of intelligent ideas are put forward with respect, but boldness, unafraid of challenge with the understanding that you may be proven wrong.

[websnarf]

Damnit! The wiktionary people put back the "(weak atheist)" proviso (though they accepted that deleting the 3rd definition was appropriate). Fricking Wikipedia itself endorses a "weak" definition as well ... Do we need to push back on this, or is this a mountain over mole hills?

[Mozza314]

Believing something does not mean you consider it a certainty. I used to say exactly the same thing you did. I objected, and still do, to considering anything to be a certainty. But that does not mean I do not have any beliefs. If you believe something it just means you are convinced that it is true, that you hold it to be true on realistic reflection.

Atheism is the belief there is no God. No reputable dictionary gives a 'lack of belief' definition.

[websnarf]

Look at the definition of belief in the dictionary. It means accepting something as true without proof. I either reject the claim of truth (and therefore classify claims at some lower level certainty), or I demand a proof.

[dexarouskies]

Another case of scientific narrow mindedness can be seen in the case of helicobacter pylori and it's discovery as the cause of stomach ulcers. This whole thing was held back for 20 years because of the old boy's club that wouldn't even look at the research of two Australian doctors, Warren and Marshall in the early 1980s.

[dexarouskies]

Yes, but not always. Check out the case of Barbara McClintock in genetics with her "jumping genes". It's embarrassing how she was treated by the scientific community, even though she had rock solid evidence. She was ruthlessly ridiculed because she disagreed with established DOGMA of genetics.

[gklr]

I want to add that the chicken example is meant to be humorous, and the example of inductive logic you offer of a heart attack or my example of the sun rising tommorow are better... if only to avoid the sillyness of turning into a chicken. I believe the means of decision are the same for either and the point is valid, but the better examples say the same thing and doesn't sound so odd.

[gklr]

Paul and Paul,

My family obligations during the holidays restrict my youtube time for now, but I mean to reply to this soon.

Cheers!