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Atheistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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atheistic

 

[eɪθiˈɪstɪk ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

religion

Disbelieving or lacking belief in the existence of God or gods.

Synonyms

godless, nonbelieving, nontheistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
atheistic

Same as 'atheistic' in the prior entry, used in a neutral or academic sense but reinforced here for clarity.

  • His atheistic perspective influenced his approach to ethical questions.
  • In an atheistic society, religious practices might not hold any significance.
godless

Often carries a negative or pejorative connotation, suggesting a lack of moral direction or spirituality due to the absence of belief in gods.

  • Some critics described the modern lifestyle as godless and devoid of spiritual values.
  • The novel depicted a godless world where chaos reigned.
nonbelieving

Used in a neutral or descriptive manner to indicate someone who does not hold religious beliefs, without necessarily judging their morals or ethics.

  • As a nonbelieving individual, she preferred scientific explanations for natural phenomena.
  • The group's membership includes both religious and nonbelieving members.
nontheistic

Used in a neutral or academic setting, often relating to religions or philosophies that do not focus on the worship of gods.

  • Buddhism is sometimes described as nontheistic because it does not center around a deity.
  • Many nontheistic philosophies emphasize human responsibility and ethical behavior.

Examples of usage

  • An atheistic philosophy.
  • The atheistic view of the universe.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Greek word 'atheos', meaning 'without gods'.
  • The prefix 'a-' signifies absence, while 'theist' refers to belief in deities.
  • The word started being widely used in Europe during the 16th century as religion and science began to clash.

Philosophy

  • Atheistic views often promote reasoning and empirical evidence over spiritual explanations.
  • Philosophers like David Hume and Bertrand Russell discussed atheism in relation to existence and morality.
  • Existentialists, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, explored the idea of meaning in a world without divine intervention.

Culture

  • In literature, atheism often challenges characters' beliefs, driving plots in novels like '1984' by George Orwell.
  • Movies like 'The Invention of Lying' explore a world where lying is invented and religion doesn’t exist.
  • Many artists, like playwright Samuel Beckett, weave atheistic themes into their works, prompting questions about existence.

Statistics

  • Recent surveys indicate that approximately 7-10% of Americans identify as atheistic, with higher percentages in Europe.
  • Countries like Sweden and the Czech Republic report some of the highest rates of atheism globally.
  • Research shows that among younger generations, acceptance of atheism is growing, with cultural shifts towards secular values.

Science

  • Many scientists advocate for atheistic views, emphasizing natural explanations for phenomena traditionally attributed to deities.
  • Prominent figures like Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson have discussed a worldview aligned with skepticism towards supernatural claims.
  • The scientific method, which relies on evidence and testing, often conflicts with faith-based approaches to understanding the universe.

Translations

Translations of the word "atheistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ateísta

🇮🇳 नास्तिक

🇩🇪 atheistisch

🇮🇩 ateis

🇺🇦 атеїстичний

🇵🇱 ateistyczny

🇯🇵 無神論の

🇫🇷 athée

🇪🇸 ateo

🇹🇷 ateist

🇰🇷 무신론자의

🇸🇦 إلحادي

🇨🇿 ateistický

🇸🇰 ateistický

🇨🇳 无神论的

🇸🇮 ateističen

🇮🇸 trúleysingja

🇰🇿 атеистік

🇬🇪 ათეისტური

🇦🇿 ateist

🇲🇽 ateo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,389, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.