Are you comfortable using the "A" word to describe your theological stance? Why or why not?

Good question. I am fine with it. I simply don't care, or pay attention to misconceptions of the word.

It does NOT mean that you outright deny any possible form/forms or any possible god/gods/godess/godess,etc.

It simply means disbelief in God X. You can use any God from any faith to fill in the X.

If you put an apple in front of me, I have no choice wheather or not I am going to believe it exsists.

I must.

The converse is true with god.

I didn't choose to be an atheist. I chose to label myself an atheist, after I realized I was one.

Absolutely. I am not a fan of labels, but that one is pretty cut and dried for me. I don't wear my atheism like a badge, it does not define who I am, merely my stance on a particular issue. Atheists are free of the cookie cutter mentality of "You are a Christian so you believe in Jesus." or "You are a Scientologist so you believe we came from outer space."

And Rasta, here is the definition of the word.

Atheist: a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.*

So yes, being a 'by the definition' atheist, I deny and/or disbelieve in the existence of supreme beings and/or the supernatural. I don't believe in God or Ghosts, Vampires or Valkyries, Dragons or Devils.


*cited source: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

I am comfortable with some people, not with others. I do not use it at work with my individuals EVER to label myself, and I do not share my personal beliefs at work. A few trusted co-workers do know, and I do use the word with some of them.

I had felt comfortable using it amongst friends, until I found out a former friend may be acting a bit nasty toward me because of my beliefs. This is one of the first times I actually feel that someone I trusted has judged me based solely on my beliefs. Not a great feeling.

I feel it is fine to be labeled once in a great while when necessary, and I would never lie to someone. I am an atheist, through and through, and I am proud of that!

I never use to use it, now I do. I decided that I'm not comfortable being friends with anyone that would judge me because of the word "atheist". I try to act friendly and understanding of others, and I can't understand anyone changing their opinion just because of it. It's not the first thing I'll tell anyone because I feel they should get to know me first before I start sharing my beliefs. Though, once you get me going, I can go on for awhile.

If anyone asks I would tell them, but I don't volunteer the information. I guess that makes me at least a little bit uncomfortable with it, although I also don't offer other personal information about my life.