Atheism vs. Anti-Theism

[Storm]

I'm starting to get confused about the nuance separating the two. I used to understand "anti-theist" as 'religious bigot who happens to be atheistic,' and I was always rather bemused when people went so far as to actually embrace the label.

However, in my time here, I've come to realize that many such atheists see the terms as virtually interchangeable, but that leaves me with the question of why we need the latter in the first place. After all, it only seems to breed confusion as many believers seem to share my original understanding.

So, what is the difference to you?
Which do you feel describes you better, and why?

 

[Iti oj]

i think there's also a distinction between anti theism and anti religion

 

[Iti oj]

the difference is rejection vs objection ...and atheist rejects the idea where an anti theist opposes the idea...and like i said theirs a difference between opposing god and opposing his/her/their/its religions.

im an atheist and for social reasons im some ways anti organized religions

 

[Poisonshady313]

Hitchens used to describe the difference as being between one who didn't believe in any god, yet perhaps wished/wouldn't mind it if there was a god to believe in, vs one who detests the concept entirely and would never subject himself to such a being even if its existence could be proven.

I'm not taking this from a direct quote, though I can try to find one if you'd like me to.

I hope I haven't stepped out of bounds, this being in the Atheism DIR after all...

 

[Caladan]

I am an atheist who reads the Bible, takes pleasure in travelling to historical sites with a clear religious significance (historical and contemporary) and who likes to turn every stone in reading narratives which range from Enochian lore to Gnostic literature.
I am an atheist in the sense that I am a naturalist. I don't expect religion to answer questions of the supernatural kind, I view religion as a phenomenon which spans cultures and thousands of years, and that's being a minimalist. It discusses ideas which we can relate to on intuitive and mental levels, for example the Egyptian concept of balance Ma'at, myths about the vanities behind wars such as with the story of Eris' apple of discord, or moral teachings such as the ones found in the Sermon on the Mount. I don't have to be a 'believer' to understand the significance of any of those.

I recognize religion as a strongly rooted psychological phenomenon with roots in our distant past. It doesn't mean that I don't criticise religious issues in the modern world. But religion is a vast phenomenon and experience and I believe I learn as much about myself as I learn about other cultures when I read their own version of the Hero's Journey.

 

[Nobody]

I would identify as both atheist and anti-theist, not very good labels IMO as they can mean many things to many people, this is how I see them.

I think atheism has many attributes applied to it unnecessarily, as far as I'm concerned it only means the lack of belief in god(s), nothing more, and it is impossible to infer any other view a person may hold from that one specific lack of belief.

Anti-theism seems to have a broader definition and seems like a vague ideology (like any particular wing in politics). To me it encompasses a view that because of the state of the world any omnipotent being must be either indifferent, incompetent, or plain malicious. In any case, unworthy of my devotion. Also the view that religion does more harm than good.

You could be one without the other, for example If given proof that the Christian god existed I would have to accept that and no longer be atheist. I would remain anti-theist, because the thought of worshiping such a being is repulsive to me.

Actually the dislike of religion may fit better under anti-religion? (a label I have never really though about before tbh) Wonderful, yet another label I have to add to myself. >.<

 

[strikeviperMKII]

i think [there's] also a [distinction] between anti theism and anti region

Which region?

Anyway, I agree, though it is very hard to separate the two. Partly because most organized religions...sorry, ALL organized religions are theist. Religion does not mean theist, but organized religion does. Generally when that happens, the 'deity' becomes someone on earth, not anything heavenly. That's what people have the most problem with. When you can't decipher between the two, you have problems.

 

[Iti oj]

Which region?

Anyway, I agree, though it is very hard to separate the two. Partly because most organized religions...sorry, ALL organized religions are theist. Religion does not mean theist, but organized religion does. Generally when that happens, the 'deity' becomes someone on earth, not anything heavenly. That's what people have the most problem with. When you can't decipher between the two, you have problems.

thanks cleaned up the post.
anyways some of these lines are blurry when it come to the eastern paths. but yeah when religion/god get caught up in the world it ruins the point and becomes problematic.

 

[Storm]

I think a poll comparing atheists' and believers understanding of the term anti-theist might be interesting.... Thoughts?

 

[Iti oj]

I think a poll comparing atheists' and believers understanding of the term anti-theist might be interesting.... Thoughts?

Add irrelegious

 

[Storm]

Add irrelegious

Why? Religious affiliation aside, you either believe or you don't. I think adding that would only serve to confuse the issue.

 

[9Westy9]

atheist - doesn't believe

anti-theist - doesn't believe and is opposed to theist

"One opposed to belief in the existence of a god."

edit: I also like the green username

 

[bobhikes]

Just following american standards

An Anti - theist is some one who opposes thiesm.

An atheist is someone who does not believe in god, or has no knowledge of god, whether they oppose, support or are netural about thiesm is another matter.

 

[YmirGF]

I think the difference is that an atheist just doesn't care about religion or god, where as an "anti-theist" is a (highly) motivated atheist.

 

[Iti oj]

Why? Religious affiliation aside, you either believe or you don't. I think adding that would only serve to confuse the issue.

Not really some hate on god some hate on gods religions some hate on both some hate on neither.

 

[waitasec]

i am under the assumption that an anti theist is open to the concept of deism
while an atheist is not.

 

[Iti oj]

i am under the assumption that an anti theist is open to the concept of deism
while an atheist is not.

How did you arrive at the conclusion

 

[Storm]

i am under the assumption that an anti theist is open to the concept of deism
while an atheist is not.

Why?

 

[waitasec]

Why?

isn't theism labeling the concept of god?
"god wants this or that"
"god is this"

does deism label god?
not that i am aware of.

since an atheist doesn't believe there is a god...there is no label
the deist is open to the existence of god but doesn't label god

 

[Iti oj]

isn't theism labeling the concept of god?
"god wants this or that"
"god is this"

does deism label god?
not that i am aware of
since an atheist doesn't believe there is a god...there is no label
the deist is open to the existence of god but doesn't label god

Thats wrong on so many levels. First off deism is a label for god, it denotes a creator god who does not intervene with his creation. Secondly anti means against, how is deism against theism? In matter of fact idk why you even brought up labels.