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For most of my life I used the word “atheism” to mean “without-theism” (or what has now been dubbed “lacktheism”), but I never would have claimed that I, Scott, merely “lacked” belief in God; rather, I’d have said I’m *more* than just an “atheist” since I believe no gods exist.
In recent years I’ve begun using “atheism” as Oppy does (the belief that no gods exist) because it’s less confusing and makes way for a more useful definition of “agnosticism”.
But the battle over semantic real estate rages on, and until now I’ve never cared enough to ask...
But the battle over semantic real estate rages on, and until now I’ve never cared enough to ask...
Are most of those fighting for the “lacktheist” definition *denying* that they, personally, have the belief that no gods exist? Is the claim they are making actually an empirical one, namely, that they truly have no propositional attitude toward theism?
Or are they, like I was, happy to acknowledge their belief that no gods exist; they just think the word “atheist” should only give us information about what beliefs someone doesn’t have, not the beliefs they do have?
I’d love to hear from the “lacktheists” on this.
I’d love to hear from the “lacktheists” on this.
