Atheism Quiz for Experts | Religion

Answer: No

Atheism (from the greek words "theos", which means "god", and "a" which means "without" or "not") is not a religion. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "religion" as "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." Atheism is not NECESSARILY a cause (a principle or movement militantly defended or supported), a principle (a rule or code of conduct), or a system of belief, although there are groups of atheists who consider it important to defend their right not to participate in the dominant religion of their society, and support each other in this. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in god or gods.

Answer: "strong atheism" and "weak atheism"

"Weak atheism" is the broadest and most general definition of atheism. It's the absence of belief in any gods. A weak atheist is simply someone who does not believe in god(s). "Strong atheism" is the explicit belief that gods do not exist. Most people falsely believe that strong atheism is the only definition of atheism. These can also be termed as implicit and explicit atheism.

Answer: Argument from Freethought

Atheological arguments include: Arguments from Confusion, Atheistic Cosmological Argument, Arguments from Divine Hiddenness and Nonbelief, Argument from Evil, Argument from Evolution, Arguments from Incoherence, Atheistic Moral Arguments, and Argument from Physical Minds.

The following website has examples of all of the atheological arguments I have mentioned. It is run by Internet Infidels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. www.infidels.org/library/modern/nontheism/atheism/arguments.html

Answer: False

To suggest that only the religious are brave enough to serve in times of war is very insulting towards atheist service members. On the website of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (http://www.maaf.info/) it says "we are not aware of any comprehensive Department of Defense survey on religious affiliation of service members, it is estimated that at least 1 out of 10 Americans consider their outlook to be secular in nature. As a matter of fact, a recent demographic survey of Air Force enlisted and officer personnel revealed that 1 out of 4 people claimed to have no religious preference."

As this quote is often used, it suggests that under stress an atheist will realise the need to believe in some external force that can offer protection - which seems a poor reason to change one's carefully-reasoned belief system!

Answer: False

Just because some people don't believe in gods, doesn't mean they carry any ill-will toward those who do.

Answer: Murray v. Curlett

The Murray family insisted that it be known that they were opposed to the practice of forced bible reading and coercive prayer recitation in public schools because they were atheists, so the following statement was drawn up to explain what an atheist is.

"Your petitioners are Atheists and they define their lifestyle as follows. An Atheist loves himself and his fellow man instead of a god. An Atheist thinks that heaven is something for which we should work for now - here on earth- for all men together to enjoy. An Atheist accepts that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, subdue and enjoy it. An Atheist thinks that only in knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.

"Therefore, he seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to 'know' a god. An Atheist knows that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist knows that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death.

He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man. He wants an ethical way of life. He knows that we cannot rely on a god nor channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter. He knows that we are our brothers' keepers in that we are, first, keepers of our lives; that we are responsible persons, that the job is here and the time is now."

(Copied from http://www.atheists.org/courthouse/petitioners.html)

Answer: Non-Political

Atheism has nothing to do with politics. Atheists come from all walks of life and include people of all nationalities, creeds, races, sexual orientations, and political affiliations.

Answer: "Atheism: The Case Against God"

"Atheism: A Philosophical Justification" is written by Michael Martin, "God and the Burden of Proof" is by Keith Parsons, and "Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist" is by Dan Barker. The Atheism Web's Media and Reviews (www.infidels.org/news/atheism/media.html) highly recommends all of the books that I have mentioned.

Answer: Ron Reagan, Jr

He said this on "Larry King Live" on June 23, 2004.

Answer: False

In 1979, the US government chose Susan B. Anthony, a women's rights activist, to be on the new dollar coin. Anthony's close friend and fellow women's rights activist, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, said in her autobiography, "Eighty Years and More, Reminiscences 1845-1897", "To-day Miss Anthony is an agnostic." (An agnostic is a person who believes that we do not, or cannot, know for sure whether gods exist.

The definition of a weak atheist includes agnostics.) The coin was never very popular because its size was very close to that of the quarter, and in 1999 the government replaced the Susan B. Anthony coin with the Sacagawea dollar coin. (For more information on Susan B Anthony's nonbelief, go to http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/roots/anthony/)