A Few Definitions (Old Version)

Following are definitions of some contentious words I use in this section of my website. Conversations quickly get confusing if we’re not all using the same definitions. Arguments are pointless if we all get to invent our own definitions. These are from dictionaries.

Agnostic

1. A person who neither believes nor disbelieves in the existence of deities.

2. From the older meaning “not knowing”, a person who does not know whether a deity exists.

Agnostic Atheist

A person who does not believe in the existence of any deity because such existence is either unknowable or currently unprovable.
(Source)

Atheism

The absence of belief that any deities exist.
The negative answer to one question: “Do you believe in a god or gods?”

Atheist

A person who does not believe any gods exist.

Belief

An acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.

— His studies led to a belief that capitalism was ideal.

Faith

1. Confidence or belief not based on evidence.
2. A system of religious belief/practice.

Knowledge

Facts or information gained through observation or education.

— His knowledge of firearms increased while in the military.

Know, Knew, Knowing

1. Be aware of, through observation or inquiry. Requires the object to be true.

— She knows my number; she calls me all the time.

2. Believe with a high degree of certainty. Does not require the object to be true.

— She knew she had enough fuel to make the trip.

Literalism

Also “biblical literalism”, the belief that the Bible should be interpreted literally, as a true historical account.

Literalist

Also “biblical literalist”, a person who practices biblical literalism.

Morality

A code of conduct, especially one that has general principles for divining the rightness or wrongness of particular behavior.

Paradigm

Worldview. A philosophical or theoretical framework — containing experiences, beliefs, basic assumptions, values, which affect the way an individual perceives reality and responds to that perception. Often shaped by cultural background, education.
(Source)

Polemic

A strong written or spoken attack against someone else's opinions, beliefs, practices, etc.
(Source)

A contentious argument that is intended to affirm a specific understanding via attacks on a contrary position.
(Source).

Theism

• The belief that at least one deity exists.
• Antonym of atheism.

Theist

• A person who believes at least one deity exists.
• Antonym of atheist.