a·the·ist [ey-thee-ist] –noun a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings. a·the·ism [ey-thee-iz-uhm] –noun 1. the doctrine or belief that there is no god. 2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings
There's a video I would normally post here that explains the reasons webster's (among many others) definition is incorrect, and, rather than using the literal meaning of the word, uses the "common" application of it, which, despite being common, is incorrect nonetheless. But for now, you'll just have to take my word for it. Edit: This link kinda goes into it. http://www.religioustolerance.org/atheist4.htm
I wasn't so much faulting her as faulting your reliance on her to disprove my initial post that relied on common usage. The subsequent posting of a dictionary definition that also uses the common usage and the website that takes issue with that is more evidence of same. Clearly language has not simply been misused here, but has evolved. Your insistence that it is incorrect to use words as they are commonly used is what is asinine. Certainly the technical definitions can be used (though DonnyMost's maxim would still prove incorrect), but the common usage is also acceptable.
I'm guessing this is basically a giant 'screw you'. So I'll go ahead and say this, the atheist/agnostic community has, for a really long time, been trying to get this definition problem rectified. It's nothing new. So, in the future, don't rely on the MWD entry, because it's "common use" application isn't valid for most discussions. It will save you a lot of headaches.
yeah, but with like puppets, and tree frogs, and 6 inch replicas of the Eiffel Tower, and trash bags, and hanging ferns, and anteaters. sure, you may be THINKING about Jessica Alba, but it's just as much about the puppets and tree frogs. not cool.
oh my crap, that's funny!!! :grin: what do i know, i'm probably drunk and trying to start a fight, anyway.