I recently learned the philosophy community defines an atheist more broadly than any definition that I’d ever seen. A common definition of atheist is simply one who does not believe. Under that definition, I label myself an atheist to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. I label myself an agnostic to everyone else.

In philosophy, atheism is defined broadly as an affirmation that no god of any type exists. Under that definition, an atheist is required to prove his/her case as much as the deist or believer does. However, there is an exception for western religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) where the dominant idea of God is of a purely spiritual, supernatural being, all-powerful and all knowing. According to the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “…in the narrow sense of the term an atheist is anyone who disbelieves in the existence of this being…”

The two separate definitions have led to considerable confusion in recent posts. I think it would behoove those using the philosopher’s definition to note it as such. I often insert the term “scientific theory” since “theory” does not carry much weight in the common vernacular. Similarly, any discussion of atheism in western civilization should add philosopher’s atheism to avoid confusion with atheism as understood by people outside of the philosophy community.