Difference between revisions of "Non-theistic"
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| − | Other related [[philosophical]] opinions about the [[existence]] of deity are ignosticism and {{Wiki|skepticism}}. Because of the various meanings of the term [[god]], a person could be an {{Wiki|atheist}} in terms of certain portrayals of [[gods]], while remaining agnostic in terms of others. | + | |
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| + | [[Nontheism]] is a term that covers a range of both [[religious]] and nonreligious attitudes characterized by the absence or rejection of [[theism]] or any [[belief]] in a personal [[god]] or [[gods]]. | ||
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| + | It has become an [[umbrella]] term for summarizing various {{Wiki|distinct}} and even mutually exclusive positions united by a naturalist approach, such as {{Wiki|agnosticism}}, ignosticism, {{Wiki|skepticism}}, and {{Wiki|atheism}}. | ||
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| + | It is in use in the fields of {{Wiki|Christian}} apologetics and general {{Wiki|liberal}} {{Wiki|theology}}. | ||
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| + | Sometimes used synonymously with the term {{Wiki|atheism}}, it can also include positions of [[belief]] in a non-personal [[deity]], such as {{Wiki|deism}} and {{Wiki|pantheism}}. | ||
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| + | [[Nontheism]] can be expressed in a variety of ways. Strong or positive {{Wiki|atheism}} is the positive [[belief]] that a [[god]] does not [[exist]]. | ||
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| + | Someone who does not think about the [[existence]] of a [[deity]] may be termed a weak or negative {{Wiki|atheist}}, or more specifically implicitly {{Wiki|atheist}}. | ||
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| + | Other, more qualified types of [[nontheism]] are often known as {{Wiki|agnosticism}}: | ||
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| + | strong or positive {{Wiki|agnosticism}} is the [[belief]] that it is impossible for [[humans]] to know whether or not any [[deities]] [[exist]]. | ||
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| + | It is a more precise opinion than weak or negative [[agnosticism]], which is the [[belief]] that the [[existence]] or [[Wikipedia:Existence|nonexistence]] of any [[deities]] is unknown but not necessarily unknowable. | ||
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| + | [[Philosopher]] {{Wiki|Anthony Kenny}} distinguishes between {{Wiki|agnostics}}, who find the claim "[[God]] [[exists]]" uncertain, | ||
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| + | and {{Wiki|theological}} noncognitivists, who consider all [[discussion]] of [[God]] to be meaningless. | ||
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| + | Some {{Wiki|agnostics}}, however, are not [[nontheists]] but rather {{Wiki|agnostic}} {{Wiki|theists}}. | ||
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| + | Other related [[philosophical]] opinions about the [[existence]] of [[deity]] are ignosticism and {{Wiki|skepticism}}. | ||
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| + | Because of the various meanings of the term [[god]], a [[person]] could be an {{Wiki|atheist}} in terms of certain portrayals of [[gods]], while remaining agnostic in terms of others. | ||
[[non-theistic]] | [[non-theistic]] | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | [[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:08, 27 February 2016
Nontheism is a term that covers a range of both religious and nonreligious attitudes characterized by the absence or rejection of theism or any belief in a personal god or gods.
It has become an umbrella term for summarizing various distinct and even mutually exclusive positions united by a naturalist approach, such as agnosticism, ignosticism, skepticism, and atheism.
It is in use in the fields of Christian apologetics and general liberal theology.
Sometimes used synonymously with the term atheism, it can also include positions of belief in a non-personal deity, such as deism and pantheism.
Nontheism can be expressed in a variety of ways. Strong or positive atheism is the positive belief that a god does not exist.
Someone who does not think about the existence of a deity may be termed a weak or negative atheist, or more specifically implicitly atheist.
Other, more qualified types of nontheism are often known as agnosticism:
strong or positive agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible for humans to know whether or not any deities exist.
It is a more precise opinion than weak or negative agnosticism, which is the belief that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is unknown but not necessarily unknowable.
Philosopher Anthony Kenny distinguishes between agnostics, who find the claim "God exists" uncertain,
and theological noncognitivists, who consider all discussion of God to be meaningless.
Some agnostics, however, are not nontheists but rather agnostic theists.
Other related philosophical opinions about the existence of deity are ignosticism and skepticism.
Because of the various meanings of the term god, a person could be an atheist in terms of certain portrayals of gods, while remaining agnostic in terms of others.
