I am an atheist. What does this mean?
There are many different and conflicting definitions, even among those of us that consider ourselves atheists. I believe there are two different sects of atheists. I describe the sects as active and passive atheists. A passive atheist does not believe in god, while an active atheist believes there is no god.
It's a subtle difference, but it's one that insites disputes among the atheists. Passive atheists do not believe there is a god, and they also insist that there is no way of knowing. By traditional definitions, this makes them agnostic, though many who hold these beliefs consider themselves atheists. This is the more open-minded approach, as this is the approach that skeptics tend to hold (skeptics reserve judgement until data is conclusive). Someone who believes the existence of god can't be known has arguably passed judgement on the possible evidence.
An active atheist specifically believes there is no god. Those that hold this belief tend to consider atheism as their religion. In the same sense that there can be open-minded religious people, these atheists also tend to still be open-minded, though they have come to a conclusion on the existence of a god.
Neither view is necessarily closed-minded. Most atheists have come to this conclusion based on the evidence at hand, including the various religions that are available.
Over the past decade, I've transitioned from considering myself a devout Christian to being an atheist. I believe there is no god. I believe there is no evidence to support the existence of a god or gods... including The Bible.
