[NutCrackerBoy]

Your dictionary is inadequate. A = without, theism = belief in a god or gods --> atheism = without belief in a god or gods. Otherwise, what would you call "lack of belief in a god or gods"?

skepticism

I think your definition is not far wrong, but why not agree there is a connotation in atheism as an adherent of some sort. We have the words rational and rationalist. The latter is much more gung ho than neutral about rationality whereas just about everybody does have rational faculties. (You are excluded, tpaine).

[Dimensio]

skepticism

Am I "skeptical" of gods whom have been worshipped throughout history but of whom I've never heard?

I would think that I'd need to at least hear of a claim before I could be skeptical of it.

but why not agree there is a connotation in atheism as an adherent of some sort.

It's a false impression,

We have the words rational and rationalist. The latter is much more gung ho than neutral about rationality whereas just about everybody does have rational faculties.

Are "theists" universally gung-ho about their theism?

[MineralMan]

"I think your definition is not far wrong, but why not agree there is a connotation in atheism as an adherent of some sort. "

I can't do that, because I am not an adherent of anything. My atheism is simply a personal lack of belief in any deities or supernatural entities of any kind. I belong to no organization of atheists, nor do I proselytize any form of atheism. I simply do not believe.

I will continue, then, to refer to myself as an atheist, and nothing more. This "bright" business is "dim-witted."

[tpaine]

"-- just about everybody does have rational faculties."
(You are excluded, tpaine).
141 -NutCBoy-


Is it not rational to ask why I'm excluded?

[Two bits you don't have the faculties to make a rational explanation, nutC.]