If I believe that the probability that at least one god exists is exactly 50%, then am I an atheist?

[dmallind]

3. Absolutely - but need more info

Belief in deities is a binary condition much like pregnancy. You either do or you don't. You can doubt it; you can secretly think it's silly, but knowledge and belief are not synonyms. If you do not believe that a god exists, you are an atheist, regardless of how probable or improbable you assess it to be. On the other hand if you do believe so, then you are a theist, again regardless of how probable or improbable you assess it to be.

A useful analogy may be a husband considering his wife's fidelity. Any sane person knows that the probability is not 100%, however most reasonably secure husbands will believe their wives are faithful. Thus in marriage most again reasonably secure husbands will be "theistic" in regard to their wife's fidelity. A suspicious husband who does not believe his wife is faithful, but again who does not know 100% one way or the other, could be said to be "atheistic" in marriage. Playing silly number games about what probability of fidelity makes one believe or not believe misses the entire point, because belief and probability assessment are not the same thing. Many a husband will believe his flirtatious and suspiciously unreliable wife faithful until he sees actual penetration; others will assume their wife is cheating even though she has given no indication whatsoever and is entirely innocent.