Definitions
With language, one of the biggest problems is using a common vocabulary. In my writing, I will try to keep consist with these definitions when using these terms. And, if a term isn’t listed here that you feel is necessary to add, please do drop me a line or add a comment to this page.
- Christian
- Following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ.
- Apologist
- A person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution. In this context, someone who argues to defend or justify the Christian worldview.
- Postmodern
- A view that social and cultural reality, as well as social science itself, is a human construction.
- Evangelical
- Believing in the authority of the scripture and the salvation of Jesus Christ. My understanding of this term is further clarified in this blog entry: What is an evangelical - introduction.
- Atheism
- Belief that there is no god and that religion should be suppressed.
November 6, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I’m glad that you’ve taken the time to give your definitions on some terms. Arguments happen sometimes where people each understand a term to mean something different, and maybe the people’s position might otherwise be the same or they could reach a consensus save for the misunderstanding.
That said, I disagree with your definition on account of your addition that atheists “believe religion should be surpressed”. Atheism *only* has to do with belief in god. Secularism or some other term might better suited to describe a policy of suppressing religion?
Also, you’ve defined atheism as the belief that there *is no god*, rather than “the lack of a god-belief, which many atheists use. There’s subtle but important distinction there.
A term does exist and came into usage in the 1990’s to describe the belief you’ve stated, that there is no god. Atheists who hold that belief tend to refer to it as “strong atheism”. Many buddhists don’t have a belief in any gods, so that despite having a religion they are de facto atheists.