Originally Posted by Alric
A lack of belief is atheism. It doesn't matter how much you say otherwise, that is the dictionary definition of a atheist. If you lack belief in a god, you are atheist. Arguing against the definition of the word doesn't get you any where.
Well, let's take a look at some reputable dictionary definitions.
Merriam-Webster OnLine
atheist: one who believes that there is no deity
atheism:
1 archaic : UNGODLINESS, WICKEDNESS
2 a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity
disbelief: the act of disbelieving : mental rejection of something as untrue
disbelieve:
transitive senses : to hold not worthy of belief : not believe
intransitive senses : to withhold or reject belief
Cambridge Dictionary of American English
atheist: someone who believes that God does not exist
atheism: the belief that God does not exist
The Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Ed. 1989
Atheist:
1. One who denies or disbelieves the existence of a God.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. 2000.
atheist: One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.
atheism:
1a. Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods. b. The doctrine that there is no God or gods.
2. Godlessness; immorality.
ETYMOLOGY: French athéisme, from athée, atheist, from Greek atheos, godless : a-, without; see a1 + theos, god; see dhs- in Appendix I.
disbelief: Refusal or reluctance to believe.
denial:
1. A refusal to comply with or satisfy a request.
2a. A refusal to grant the truth of a statement or allegation; a contradiction. b. Law The opposing by a defendant of an allegation of the plaintiff.
3a. A refusal to accept or believe something, such as a doctrine or belief. b. Psychology An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings.
4. The act of disowning or disavowing; repudiation.
5. Abstinence; self-denial.
2. One who practically denies the existence of a God by disregard of moral obligation to Him; a godless man.
B. attrib. as adj. Atheistic, impious.
Atheism:
Disbelief in, or denial of, the existence of a God. Also, Disregard of duty to God, godlessness (practical atheism).
1913 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
atheist:
1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
2. A godless person. [Obs.] Syn. -- Infidel; unbeliever. See Infidel.
atheism:
1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
2. Godlessness.
disbelief:
The act of disbelieving;; a state of the mind in which one is fully persuaded that an opinion, assertion, or doctrine is not true; refusal of assent, credit, or credence; denial of belief.
Syn. -- Distrust; unbelief; incredulity; doubt; skepticism. -- Disbelief, Unbelief. Unbelief is a mere failure to admit; disbelief is a positive rejection. One may be an unbeliever in Christianity from ignorance or want of inquiry; a unbeliever has the proofs before him, and incurs the guilt of setting them aside. Unbelief is usually open to conviction; disbelief is already convinced as to the falsity of that which it rejects. Men often tell a story in such a manner that we regard everything they say with unbelief. Familiarity with the worst parts of human nature often leads us into a disbelief in many good qualities which really exist among men.
MSN Encarta Dictionary
atheism: disbelief in the existence of God or deities
atheist: somebody who does not believe in God or deities
disbelief: the feeling of not believing or of not being able to believe somebody or something.
What words appears to be missing within all of these dictionaries?
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