Spectrum of theistic probability

[darkstar3]

36. OK, so let's take your chosen questions, and your answers, and provide definitions:

Q: Do you believe there is a God?
GG: No.

You are an atheist.

Q: Do you believe there is no God?
GG: No.

You're still an atheist, you're just not a straw man.

I know it only provides half the story about your views on deities. That's how the divide between knowledge and belief works. That's why most sane people ask the questions in the following manner, paraphrased to make the point:

Do you believe in God?
What do you know that causes you (not) to believe?

Now to answer the question I know is on your mind...

Why do I harp on this? Because those who flatly refuse to self-identify as atheists while at the same time stating plainly that they don't believe in God are perpetuating myths created by believers to disparage atheists. Take your pick as to which one or all of these derogatory myths:

1. Atheists are not people who lack belief, but rather people who actively disbelieve in God (note that capital G.)
2. Atheists are so mean and hateful that no one wants to be associated with them by label.
3. Atheism is an illogical, irrational, and untenable position, and should be abandoned en masse for the far superior position of agnosticism.
-This one really gets my goat, because not only does it fly in the face of logic and definition, it re-labels people in order to move them one step closer to belief. It's also one of the most likely sources of scorn heaped upon atheists by those non-believers infantile enough to buy into the myth.b
4. Atheism isn't real, because everyone has to believe in something.
5. Atheists are just closed-minded because they can't accept possibilities.
-Once again flying the face of definition and completely ignoring the fact that there are atheists who actually believe in the probability of an afterlife.