I just...
No, atheism is the dis-belief in deity, not the "absence". There is a difference
Welcome class to Grammar 101 from the most grammatically incorrect grammar Nazi you will ever meet.
Today we're going to learn about Prefixes. Now let us break down the word "Prefix". We have two words joined together to make a new meaning. Pre and Fix. Pre meaning before. Fix to refer to the addition of meaning. Prefix then means Adding to the beginning of a meaning, in this case specifically words.
When you add a prefix to a word the meaning can change either to reference exactly the opposite of the word or to refer to a word of likeness.
In this case, we will talk about descriptive words and the letter "A". I hope you all know what the letter A is because it's the first letter you learn in the alphabet.
Let me propose a scenario to help you learn better. We are talking about the sexual reproduction of specific animals. What do you do when the teacher says something is "Asexual"? For this let us define Sexual in a scientific manner.
"Relating to the instincts, physiological processes, and activities connected with physical attraction or intimate physical contact between individuals."
Put simply "Sexual feelings or associations" This happens to all creatures that share opposite sexes. So when the letter "A" is added to the beginning of "Sexual" it takes the meaning of "Without"
"Without sexual feelings or associations."
I wonder what definition theist takes when you do the same?
Because I know you'll ignore the steps I just presented to figure this out for yourself let me school you here too.
Theist and plural Theism are descriptive words to define a wide variety of people who all share the original basic trait of being religious. Quite simply Theism is a belief in some sort of higher power specifically a god, and a Theist is somebody who worships or respects that god.
"Belief in the existence of a god or gods" Dictionary definition.
When you add the prefix "A" to "Theist" the meaning of the word has the connotation of "Without" added to it.
"Without belief in the existence of a god or gods"
This is basic grammar. "Atheist" isn't a description of a religion or belief. It is literally a word created for the complete and total explicit purpose of describing all people without a god. For the same process applies to Theist, referring to all people who believe in some sort of anthropomorphic immortal with a higher power.
What you don't understand is that Theist and Atheist aren't titles necessarily. They are classifications. Somebody who believes in any sort of god is "Classified" as a Theist. Somebody who is "Without" belief in any sort of god is "Classified" as Atheist.
Don't tell me a word doesn't mean what it is literally defined as through grammar and the dictionary.
