Atheism Overview

What is Atheism?

Atheism is non-belief in god.  It isn’t a religion.  It isn’t a belief in the devil.  In fact, atheists generally disagree with the idea of myth and superstition on a whole.  That said, saying that you are an atheist is equivalent of saying that you are aren't a basketball fan.  It’s an opinion.  It's non-belief.  That’s all it is.  All atheists are different, there are no rules or guidelines they subscribe to.  They are not an organization and no one atheist speaks for atheism.

What is being Agnostic?

Being agnostic is not knowing if there is a god.  It is not atheism, nor any form of atheism. 

Gnosticism is all about what you know.  Theism is all about what you believe.

You would be classified as one of these four choices, and there is no potential for overlap.

I am an “agnostic atheist” and most honest atheists are.  Most theists are agnostic as well, but most don’t understand the differentiation well enough to realize it.

Why Does Any of This Matter?

To some people, it doesn’t.  It’s a moot point.  In fact, the entire idea of a god may not matter to them at all.  These people can be classified as those who “just don’t give a shit.”

To the average atheist, this is a completely acceptable attitude to have.  Atheists aren’t out to proselytize, because atheism isn’t a religion.  Believe whatever you like, just keep it reasonable.  Theists are far more likely to take umbrage with someone being dismissive of god, and for various reasons.

However, for anyone that does care, it’s worth understanding the definitions of these words so that you don’t sound ignorant.  And since the world is becoming more tolerant, diverse and free thinking, and information is more accessible than ever due to the internet, outspoken atheism won’t be going away anytime soon.

No matter which side of the debate you find yourself on, a basic knowledge of these definitions will go a long way towards establishing some credibility.