What Is Atheism?

So what exactly is atheism?

The ancient Romans accused Christians of being atheist and, as the Greeks intended the term, that argument holds some weight. Monotheism had no meaning at that time.  If you did not follow their gods, you were obviously atheist.

According to one estimate, atheists make up about 2.3% of the world's population, while a further 11.9% are nonreligious. The problem with defining atheism though is how to classify it. The theist/atheist argument is far from simple. 

For instance there is practical atheism: pragmatic atheism or apatheism,  and theoretical or ontological atheism.

Epistemological atheism can be agnostic atheism or theological non-cognitivism. Also ontological are logical positivism and ignosticism/igtheism.

Then there are the metaphysical arguments such as logical atheism
and atheist existentialism.  Metaphysical atheism may be either: a) absolute or b) relative.

Then there are Theodicean atheists with views similar to the founder of Buddhism, atheist existentialists and humanists, axiological or constructive atheists.

Atheism can range from humanism to moral nihilism.  It all sounds a lot like the arguments between churches.

And some philosophers have argued that atheists should reclaim religion as an act of defiance against theism, precisely not to leave religion as an unwarranted monopoly to theists.

And what about the view of Nietzche, who stated that morality "has truth only if God is truth—it stands or falls with faith in God"?


It's enough to make your head whirl.

There are also atheistic or humanistic followers within Judaism and Christianity. How to reconcile this?

Maybe agnostic is a better term. After all, who can prove it either way?
"I don't know" would seen to be the most honest and least arrogant view.