The definition of atheism

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Authors

Cliteur, Paul

Issue Date

2009

Volume

11

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Type

Journal Article

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Abstract

One of the central elements of the secularist tradition is atheism. Atheism has a long history and is nowadays again heavily debated. This article tries to present a reflection on the nature of atheism. The central thesis is that atheism is often misunderstood. The most fruitful definition of atheism is a negative one: an atheist does not believe in the god that theism favors. The concept of atheism should be carefully distinguished from the motives that some people have not to believe in the theistic god. The confusion of these two things is responsible for much needless controversy about atheism.

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Citation

Cliteur, Paul. (2009), The definition of atheism. Journal of Religion & Society, 11.

Publisher

Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Center, Creighton University

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CC-BY 4.0

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http://hdl.handle.net/10504/64446

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https://moses.creighton.edu/jrs/toc/2009.html

ISSN

1522-5658

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Journal of Religion and Society