I’ve read a lot of theistic and atheistic philosophy, I’ve never seen the word theist used to describe a person who does not believe in the existence of a god.
The meaning of words is very important. Adding unnecessary ambiguity into useful words with clear meanings makes intelligent conversation impossible.
“Theist” also does not mean “religious". There are many people who are not religious and yet experience what Freud called "the oceanic feeling", which leads them to a belief in god separate from religion. These people are non-religious theists and buddhists are religious atheists. This is why the distinction between words is important because these realities are impossible to explain, and therefore to discuss, otherwise.
right, you're technically correct as i said. but this means that buddhism is an atheistic religion. that makes sense if you've read into religion a lot, but to 90% of the population of PARD and elsewhere that's an oxymoron.
when most people hear theist or atheist they just think religion or no religion. im all for context tho and hate dumbing down language and changing word meanings, its just in this case ive always felt the tag of atheist on buddhism feels off. if they believe in a supernatural rebirth it feels to me like there is a god there that is just abstract to the point it cant be specifically worshipped. like a god system rather than a god figure, too abstract and vague to worship outright, so they practice its tangible effects as they perceive them rather than worship a figurehead.
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This post was edited by thesnipa on Jan 10 2025 07:19am