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Tags: anti-theism | atheism | deism | logic 
Atheism is by and large a fairly misunderstood topic in today's culture and society. Many of its detractors see it as a moral hindrance, a harbinger of things to come. But in many ways it reflects a healthy look at the evolution of our society and how cultural ideals can change.
Atheism is simply a lack of a belief in a diety. Atheists see too little evidence to suggest that an all powerful creator exists. In this way of thinking nothing in our physical world directly points to an omniscient, omnipresent and ubiquitous being to exist.
It isn't saying that religious experiences felt by those with faith are invalid. It isn't saying that people with faith are wrong. Atheism is a very neutral shake of the head at the God question. The most neutral position is actually agnosticism which evenly states you can't know either way if God exists or not. That information is not yet available to suggest either wise so it cannot yet be known. This is not atheism.
Atheism is merely one head shake toward the side of rejection. With the given information we have nothing proves the existence of God.
Other forms of belief that are often misconstrued as atheism are as follows:
Pantheism: Belief that nature and God are identical. That there lies a beauty in nature, not necessarily a being in control but a flow of power uniting all. No belief in a personal God.
Deism: Belief in a supreme being that created the universe but does not answer prayer or deal directly in worldly or human affairs.
Anti-theist: Belief opposing the existence of God. This says that if a God did exist it would be a bad thing that should be countered.
These are common forms of belief people often jump to conclusions claiming as synonymous with atheism. The rise of atheism as proven oddly by a rise of atheist literature beginning in 2004 shows not only that those who identify themselves as atheist purchase atheist literature, but those who claim to be of faith do as well. This could be to educate them in the knowledge and beliefs of atheism, but it could also represent a healthy rise of tolerance to differing positions of faith.
Can you think of a set of beliefs or a given religion that you feel is against your beliefs either religiously or personally? Most of us can, but only some of us go out to educate themselves in the historical significance of the differing faith. Some merely see the contrast of beliefs and feel discomfort.
On a very neutral position I feel the rise of atheism as noted by increased sale of atheist literature indicates a step towards skepticism and personal questioning. I do not see this as a bad thing, asking why we believe what we believe. I think if you are one of faith and you read a strong bit of atheist literature you should not be swayed by what you read or even offended. Your faith should be strong enough so that you laugh at the supposed inconsistencies you see. You have the higher bit of truth, right?
There really is no reason to see the rise of atheism as a negative thing. I personally see it as a rise of free thinking, of rational and exploring thought. People tend to have a negative image of subjects that contradict their beliefs, especially of those they do not fully understand. Ignorance must be abolished as an excuse. We simply cannot afford to progress as a society hanging on the coat tails of hearsay and rumor.
Donald Johnson is a college student in San Diego, California. Studying philosophy and neuropsychology he writes on a variety of topics in goal of connecting people with the information they need.
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The following quotes come from The Prescriptures, excerpts of the most sacred texts of the Church of the SubGenius - the "Mad Tidings" spoken directly to Man by JHVH-1 through the medium of J.R. ...
Quick - who's the scum of the earth? Prague taxi drivers, you say? Cops? Critics? Dealers of bunk drugs?
Ah, a voice from the back of the room - pedophiles!
