| Player1x3 said: I disagree. ANY view or perspective (be it belief or disbelief) on the mater is irrational if not supported by reason, knowledge or proof. To hold any absolute view on anything without reason, knowledge or evidence IS irrational. To say with complete confidence that there is no higher power in or outside the universe IS irrational because 1) there's absolutely no reason for us to believe so 2) our knowledge on the matter is still highly limited to conclude anything based on KNOWLEDGE (not belief or disbelief) 3) we can't prove anything because ^^ Exact same thing goes for the opposite side. The only rational view on this mater is the agnostic one. |
All atheists do not hold an absolute view on anything. Atheism does not necessarily say anything with complete confidence. Atheists in general don't have anythnig to prove since they aren't making any claims, in the positive or the negative. A lack of belief in the positive does not always mean a belief in the negative.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
http://atheists.org/content/about-atheism
http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism#Atheism_and_why_do_atheists_state_they_disbelieve.3F
http://www.investigatingatheism.info/definition.html
The atheism you're referring to is a specific category of atheist. The broadest definition of atheism encompasses all people who don't believe in God. There is a group within that group which asserts that there is no God; this what you're referring to. These people are called strong atheists or hard atheists.
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Agnosticism has nothing to with belief. Agnosticism has to do with knowledge. If you're an agnostic, then you assert that you don't know if God exists. If you're a gnostic, then you assert do know if god exists. It has nothing to do with belief. Atheism and theism deals with belief. There's a difference between knowledge and belief.
If you're a theist, then you believe that God exists. If you're an atheist, then you don't beleive God exist. Agnostism and Atheism aren't mutually exclusive. Nor are agnostism and theism. As an atheist, you can be either agnostic or gnostic. Similarly, as a theist, you can be either agnostic or gnostic. You can be one of four categories:
Gnostic Theist: You believe in God, and you know that there's a God.
Agnostic Theist: You believe in God, but you don't know if there's a God.
Agnostic Atheist: You don't believe in God, but you don't know if there's a God.
Gnostic Atheist: You don't believe in God, and you know that there is no God.
