From: "Corey R. Estoll" <corey@estoll.com>
To: <intp@intp.org>
Subject: Re: Atheism defined
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 17:45:20 -0600

From: "Norm DePlum" <intp@labry.com>
> I mentioned earlier that the usage of atheist to mean not theist has
> been around for decades. I was wrong. It has been used at least
> since the mid 1800's if not before. The following article does a
> much better job at explaining this than I could in my currently
> fevered state.
>
> http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/smithdef.htm
>
> complete with footnotes

That's very interesting. However the concepts expressed in it have not found
their way into mainstream usage, dictionaries, or general philosophy. I
believe those who wish 'atheism' to have the all encompassing meaning
expressed by the above website continue working at convincing everyone else
that it is more logical to use one word with a broad definition that is
divided into two categories rather than 2 words to mean the same concepts.

Alternatively . . . I am a fan of specific words with distinct definitions.
So how about these terms:

Superspecifitheist -- Strongly believes in a specific theistic system and
has confidence that said theistic system accurately represents reality.
Supertheist -- Strongly believes deity exists but does not necessarily hold
a belief in a specific theistic system.
Agnospecifitheist -- Believes in a specific theistic system, but also holds
that they do not have proof of their beliefs and never will.
Agnotheist -- Believes deity exists but does not necessarily hold a belief
in a specific theistic system, and does not believe it possible to prove nor
disprove theism.
Ambiagnostic -- Believes that the existence or nonexistence of deity is
impossible to know but routinely flip flops between belief and disbelief.
Shutupalreadyagnostic -- Really, truly does not care. Ask them if they
believe in deity or not; They're likely to fall asleep rather than answer.
ignoragnostic -- Has never been presented with or considered the concept of
theism and therefore has no theistic or atheistic opinion.
agnostic -- One who believes that the existence or nonexistence of deity is
impossible and therefore refuses to make a decision on the issue.
Agnoatheist -- Believes deity does not exist but does not believe it
possible to prove nor disprove the nonexistence of deity.
Atheist -- Believes deity does not exist.
Superspecifiatheist -- Believes no deity exists and strongly believes that
at least one theistic system is a bunch of hogwash.
Superatheist -- Strongly believes no deity exists and all theistic systems
are a bunch of hogwash.

Whew! I'm glad I could clear that up =)

Corey R. Estoll