Backyard Skeptics

Atheism, as a philosophical view, is the position that either affirms the nonexistence of gods or rejects theism. When defined more broadly, atheism is the absence of belief in deities, alternatively called non-theism.

Atheism - The lack of belief in a god and/or the belief that there is no god.  The position held by a person or persons that 'lack belief' in god(s) and/or deny that god(s) exist.

Some people think that atheism is a sad or non-purposeful lifestance.  I totally disagree.  I am very happy I do not believe in superstitious beliefs that have no proof of existing and were designed by men trying to control others to believe in a religion that has no rational values.  Believers do not believe their position is superstitious simply because they have been taught their religion most of their lives - their parents believe it and their friends and community believes it. They think its a FACT vs superstition and myth and do not investigate it or question int.   Most believers think other religions are odd and have weird superstitious acts. As an atheist,  I think that original sin, heaven or hell, demons or Satan are superstitious beliefs to control men's minds.   Remember - everyone from 2000 years ago was superstitious.   In general the Bible treats all things pleasurable as if they are sinful, and some things immoral they condone.

Also see the page "What does atheism have to offer?"

Atheism does not mean nihilism, which is a philosophical position which argues that existence is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.   Nihilists believe the world is for them alone and the only purpose is for their own existence.   All theists have their own set of morals that they decide on a situation by situation basis - see our MORALS page.

Many time people say to me "you are an atheist? well then, you must not believe in anything!"  I believe in reason, science, critical thinking and rational thought.  I believe you can be a good an moral person without believing in a supernatural power that does not define itself to all of mankind not has any evidence of its existence.  

Some philosophers divide atheism into two camps, negative and positive.  the negative atheists say there is no god. The positive atheists say they do not believe there is a god and are very confident the likelihood of a supernatural deity is slim to none, but stays just shy of claiming that god does not exist.  As a amateur scientist I would consider myself a very strong positive atheist, as I do not have knowledge of the entire universe to claim a negative hypothesis.

The Riddle of Epicurus (341-271 “BC”)

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?  Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.

Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?

Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?