- published: 25 Mar 2014
- views: 1223570
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.
The term atheism originated from the Greek ἄθεος (atheos), meaning "without god", used as a pejorative term applied to those thought to reject the gods worshipped by the larger society. With the spread of freethought, skeptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion, application of the term narrowed in scope. The first individuals to identify themselves using the word "atheist" lived in the 18th century.
Atheists tend to be skeptical of supernatural claims, citing a lack of empirical evidence for deities. Rationales for not believing in any deity include the problem of evil, the argument from inconsistent revelations, and the argument from nonbelief. Other arguments for atheism range from the philosophical to the social to the historical. Although some atheists have adopted secular philosophies, there is no one ideology or set of behaviors to which all atheists adhere. Many atheists hold that atheism is a more parsimonious worldview than theism, and therefore the burden of proof lies not on the atheist to disprove the existence of God, but on the theist to provide a rationale for theism.
Like the arrival of the purest from of life
It sets its course to remain just that
If not for the blatant disregard for its purity
It would never uncover the anger
Stormlit, Aqua
The crest of the waves reveal a
Sign of friendship with the moon
Embracing each other with the
Tides and currents that flow, throughout
The spaces meant for it to be!
"Reaching, to hold onto, the liquid, rain"
The perspiration on a sweating soul tells
The body what is known
The the water reveals the human effort
It tends to exceed its own demand
By taking the world by the hand
Stormlit, Aqua