Nonbeliever Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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nonbeliever
[ˌnɒn.bɪˈliː.vər ]
Definition
religious
A person who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Nonbelievers often face discrimination in societies where religion plays a significant role.
- Some nonbelievers prefer to identify as atheists, while others may simply describe themselves as nonreligious.
- Nonbelievers may find comfort in secular humanism, which emphasizes reason, ethics, and justice.
- Despite being a nonbeliever, she respected the beliefs of others and engaged in respectful dialogue.
- Nonbelievers may seek community and support through secular organizations and meetups.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- Philosophers often explore the concept of belief, debating the nature and criteria of what it means to believe or not believe.
- Some philosophical movements, such as skepticism, encourage questioning all beliefs, producing nonbelievers by default.
- Agnosticism, which holds that truth about certain beliefs is unknown or unknowable, can lead one to identify as a nonbeliever.
Sociology
- Nonbelievers often face social stigma in strongly religious communities, impacting their social relationships.
- Surveys indicate a rise in the number of self-identified nonbelievers globally, contrasting with traditional belief systems.
- The secularization theory suggests that as societies modernize, the number of nonbelievers tends to increase.
Pop Culture
- Nonbelievers are frequently represented in literature and film, often portrayed as questioning the status quo or challenging societal norms.
- Prominent public figures, like authors and scientists, have identified as nonbelievers, influencing cultural trends and discussions around belief.
- Television shows often depict nonbelievers encountering believers, creating tension that drives narrative conflict.
Religion
- In the context of religion, nonbelievers are often seen as atheists or agnostics, rejecting the existence of deities.
- Various organizations advocate for the rights and recognition of nonbelievers, seeking to reduce discrimination they face.
- Some religious groups view nonbelievers as potential converts, structuring outreach strategies to address them.
Origin of 'nonbeliever'
Main points about word origin
- The word is derived from 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'believer' which comes from 'believe', implying someone who doesn't hold beliefs.
- The term has roots in Middle English, with 'believen' tracing back to Old English 'beliefan' which meant 'to believe'.
- In the 20th century, the term became more common, especially in discussions about religion and personal belief systems.
The term 'nonbeliever' originated in the early 19th century as a way to describe individuals who did not adhere to any religious beliefs or practices. As secularism and atheism gained prominence in modern society, the term became more commonly used to refer to those who specifically reject the existence of a deity or deities. Nonbelievers have often been marginalized and stigmatized throughout history, particularly in societies where religion holds significant influence. However, the nonbeliever movement has grown in recent years, advocating for the separation of church and state and promoting a more secular approach to governance and ethics.
See also: belief, beliefs, believability, believable, believe, believer, believers, disbelieve, disbeliever, disbelieving, nonbelieving, unbelievability, unbelievable, unbelievably, unbelieving, unbelievingly.