Why Equate Yourselves
With Strong Atheism?
Gil Gaudia
From: Gil Gaudia
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, February 09, 2001 1:43 PM
I am really enjoying reading your web site.
This question is probably answered somewhere on your site but it has eluded me. If "strong atheism" (positive) means "there is no God" and "weak atheism" (negative) means "I believe there is no God", then the former is a more dogmatic and probably more difficult assertion to defend. Why then have you chosen Positive Atheism, which is associated with the "strong" position, as the title for your magazine, when it is anything but dogmatic?
Gil Gaudia
From: "Positive Atheism Magazine" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To:
Subject: Re: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2001 6:40 AM
We do not use the term "Positive Atheism" (capitalized) the same way you have used the term "positive atheism" (lowercase). To us, "Positive Atheism" is a proactive ethic, ultimately derived from Gandhi's satyagraha, whereas "positive atheism" is better described as "strong atheism." We are very concerned that so many atheists are content to simply roll over and take the indignity heaped upon us from all quarters, but we do not care whether somebody is a strong or a weak atheist.
Besides, "weak" atheism means "I lack a god belief" not "I believe there is no god" -- which is, actually, "strong" atheism.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.