A-theism does not necessarily equal Anti-theism
Atheism isn't quite as compatible as anti-theism as most people beleive.
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Not every atheist is anti-theistic. Lets examine the roots (components) of each word to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of them. "A" is a prefix meaning both "not" and without". [1] "Theism" is the belief in the existence of a god or gods. "Anti" is a prefix meaning "against" [2] If I live my life without a dog, am I anti-dog? No, it is simply a matter of deciding that I can not care for a dog right now. If I live my life without a belief in the existence of a god or gods, am I then anti-god(s)? No, its simply a belief that the existence of a god or gods is of no significance to me. Simply put, god(s) do not matter to me. I can get along quite well without god(s), should he, she, it or them exist -- or not. Atheism is simply the absence of belief in gods; anti-theism is a conscious and deliberate opposition to theism. Many atheists are also anti-theists, but not all. [3] [1] http://www.virtualsalt.com/roots.htm [2] http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/ [3] http://atheism.about.com/od/ Side: gods simply don't matter to me
This post is an edited version of the one found at the link --------------------------------------- If atheism is the absence of belief in gods, then many Buddhists are, indeed, atheists. Buddhism is not about either believing or not believing in God or gods. Rather, the historical Buddha taught that believing in gods was not useful for those seeking to realize enlightenment. In other words, God is unnecessary in Buddhism. For this reason, Buddhism is more accurately called nontheistic than atheistic. It’s not just belief in gods that are irrelevant to Buddhism. Beliefs play a different role in Buddhism than in many other religions. Buddhism is a path to “waking up,” or being enlightened. Merely “believing in” enlightenment and nirvana is pointless. Some medieval Christian mystics argued that it is incorrect to say that God exists, because existence amounts to taking a particular form within a space of time. God has no particular form and is outside of time. Therefore, God does not exist. However, God is. That’s an argument that many of us atheistic Buddhists can appreciate. Side: gods simply don't matter to me
Isn't that Zorachian? There are vegetarians who don't think everyone should be a vegetarian, there are people who don't drink alcohol but don't think others shouldn't drink it, there are tolerant non-smokers and there are atheists who don't hate theism. Side: gods simply don't matter to me
Hahaha. People on this site are going to wonder what "Zorachian" is. You should provide a link to the urban dictionary entry for it. Is it Zorachian? No. the common perception is that Atheists are Anti-god. Ask around and see if I am right. Side: gods simply don't matter to me
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