Let's start with some basic definitions:(All definitions from the New American Oxford Dictionary unless otherwise noted)
Belief: an acceptance(emphasis added) that a statement is true or that something exists; something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion(emphasis added) or conviction
Faith: complete trust(emphasis added) or confidence in someone or something; strong belief(emphasis added) in God or in the doctrines of a religion(emphasis added), based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof
Trust: firm belief(emphasis added) in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something; acceptance(emphasis added) of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation(emphasis added)
Religion: belief in and worship(emphasis added) of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods: ideas about the relationship between science and religion
Theism: belief(emphasis added) in the existence of a God or gods, esp. belief in one god as creator of the universe, intervening in it(emphasis added) and sustaining a personal relation to his creatures
Monotheism: the doctrine or belief(emphasis added) that there is only one God
Polytheism: the belief(emphasis added) in or worship of more than one god
Deism: belief(emphasis added) in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene(emphasis added) in the universe
Pantheism: a doctrine that identifies God with the universe, or regards the universe as a manifestation of God
Skeptic: a person who questions(emphasis added) the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual(Dictionary.com)
Unbelief: the state or quality of not believing(emphasis added); incredulity or skepticism, especially in matters of doctrine or religious faith(Dictionary.com)
Atheism: disbelief or lack of belief(emphasis added) in the existence of God or gods
Humanism: an outlook or system of thought(emphasis added) attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters
Theists make a claim of ultimate supernatural authority based on belief without evidence or investigation, atheists deny the claim of supernatural authority based on belief. Atheists require investigation and evidence of supernatural claims because belief is not enough.
Thanks for bearing with me through all of these definitions! I will refer to them in future Atheism 101 posts.
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