How Do I Know If I'm An Atheist?

While the definition of atheism is something that the ACA regularly defines, some people still struggle with whether or not they are an atheist, and if so, whether they should be public about it. Atheist Experience host Armin Navabi walks us through the nuance of the definition, and he outlines common reasons why people do and do not publicly identify as an atheist.

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The Atheist Experience is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.

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We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.

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[tonyclif]

I told my (nonreligious) step mother at Xmas that i am an atheist. She said "ive never met an atheist before" (i was about 60). My 3 adult children said, almost in unison. "Im an atheist too".
A proud Dad moment - i had never discussed religion or lack of it with them until they were in their 20s, but had always discussed rational thinking and logic.

[beverly]

I identify as an atheist but I don’t tell people unless it comes up in a conversation. If it does and I tell them I’m an atheist the reaction is invariably “no you’re not, not really”….always annoying and I answer “no really, I am”. 🙄

[toddlatorreofficial]

Proud atheist and anti-theist. It's sad that atheism is still deemed to be so troublesome in this day and age.

[frankleeseaux]

I identify as an atheist. But, to illustrate how ridiculous it is that I should perceive a need to identify as an atheist, I will also, at times, identify as an aSantaClausist, or an ainvisiblepinkunicornist.

It is nonsensical that people should be identified by what they are not because it essentially conveys no real information about them. Despite this fact, there are many who assume that the identity carries with it certain information that is entirely unrelated.

I am constantly being challenged to defend the Big Bang theory, and evolution, or to explain where everything came from if there is no god. And it can be painstakingly difficult to explain to some theists that, "I don't know, and I will not pretend to know in the absence of evidence" is a perfectly legitimate answer to that question.

[johnholland]

Do you believe a god exists?
Yes - you are a theist.
No - you are an atheist.

So easy.

[redeyewarrior]

The deconversion process I realized that I did not believe in a specific "god" I was taught to believe in anymore. I went through a angry atheist phase but then started looking into other religions and later on I identified myself as spiritual but not belonging to a religion because I had a new view or my own understanding of a "god".
I grappled with my own beliefs for about 3 years and now I identify myself as an atheist again.

Now that I think about it I was actually an atheist the whole time since the deconversion, I just did not want to identify myself as one because of my fear of what other people think. It was not a easy journey, it took a lot of time to grapple with my own thoughts and beliefs.

[Gamma]

I identify as a atheist and dont mind telling anyone 👏💪🏾🤷🏽‍♀️

[ovelhoranzinza]

Being a Christian for 42 years and an atheist for 13, in a very religious family, I still haven't come out as atheist except for my daughter, which happens to be atheist, too. I still attend church services and little groups, giving bible classes. I really like to do it. I have a voice to try to show people what the bible actually says (or doesn't) without being labeled an enemy.
It's working. If you can't beat them, join them.

[josephbelisle]

Well said. Thank you.
Especially about the portion regarding what it means to everyone else by coming out as an atheist. The more of us there are, the fairer and more equal our societies will be. We must respect and honor the human condition. Not the trauma induced belief systems of immature societies who use an imaginary friend to push them enacting and perpetuating a cycle of trauma.

[MG-otyr]

Oh you know, I knew before I ever knew the word "atheism" existed that described my disbelief. As a kid I questioned the nonsense I was being fed and never bought into it.

[noeditbookreviews]

What's the difference between God and Paul Reubens? Paul actually revealed himself in public.

[psychopathmedia]

I live in The South of the United States and I've experienced persecution my entire life for being both homosexual and non-religious

[undrwatropium]

How do I know if im an atheist?
Do you believe in God?
No
Then you're an atheist

[nealjroberts]

And despite watching this video plenty of apologists will still get atheism wrong!

[johnsperry]

When I am asked, which happens infrequently, I just say, I'm not very religious. That usually satisfies them and then we just drop it. Works for me.

[sparrowdrone]

If you know religions are all just-so stories & you don’t see a point in keeping up a pretense any longer then that makes you an atheist

[lh]

I questioned, why should I praise a Supernatural Being that claims I’m almighty and love but will just watch EVIL things continue😅as a former Bible reader, realized this God never punished the rebellious angel in the stories he wrote, even after left earth😅

[smochygrice]

Easy.
I don't do boring God ritual activities like worship and prayer.
Instead, I garden and walk the dog.

Simple 😝

[johnsperry]

I don't like the definition of "lack" a belief in God, because the word "lack" often implies that I'm missing something that is desirable. I would rather say I have an absence of a belief in God.

[kylefrandsen]

Well said. A lot of people will be more accepting if you say you don't believe in God rather than use the label "atheist" because they've been taught a whole lot of garbage and don't equate the term atheist with only a lack of belief.