Wrong synonyms for Atheism

Atheism, etc.;

Vinnieosophy pontification 1•Oct•2019:

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Are these words synonyms:

”Pets,

Animals,

Vertebrates,

Mammals, &

Rabbits”?

No?

Well neither are these:

1-Deism,

2-Atheism,

3-Agnosticism,

4-Humanism,

5-Free-Thought,

6-NonTheism,

7-Secularism,

8-Skepticism, nor

9-Cynicism.

Sadly,

uninformed people are

more & more frequently using them as synonyms, and even more sadly, dictionaries are beginning to reflect that miss-use & confusion.

Upon extensive word-study, one can see that these are not really synonyms for each other.

1-

Deism:

some divinity may have jumpstarted things (Intelligent-Design-Big-Bang theory) but has since moved on and is not currently involved.

2-

Atheism:

Anti-theism:

BELIEF-system (religion) that there definitely is no such thing as divinity, (which, BTW, is just as scientifically unprovable as theism; not being able to prove existence of something, does not prove its nonexistence;

e.g., City-of-Troy was just a myth & “nonexistent” until discovered & excavated in 1800s).

3-

Agnosticism:

Anti-gnosis:

Anti-knowing:

since neither Atheism nor theism can be scientifically proven,

it therefore cannot be known.

4-

Humanism:

focus ought to be on human self-reliance (regardless of any other beliefs).

For example, this also could be considered a humanist idea:

“god helps those who help themselves”.

5-

Free-Thought:

free to think, explore, & debate in ALL directions (not only Atheist direction).

6-

NonTheism:

non-issue; since neither Atheism nor theism can be scientifically proven,

it therefore ought be tabled as a non-issue.

7-

Secularism:

separation of

church & state,

religion & government,

mosque & state.

8-

Skepticism: 

doubt as to truth of something, but open to be convinced w/evidence.

9-

Cynicism:

pessimistic inclination to question whether something is worthwhile; not open to be convinced w/evidence.