| Subject: Dictionary Definitions and assumptions |
Author:
Damoclese
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Date Posted: 03/ 3/02 5:14pm
In reply to:
Wade A. Tisthammer
's message, "Word usage." on 03/ 3/02 11:37am
I think that our language is structured in such a way as to be quite misleading.
For instance, the terminology atheist is widely used to denote one who does not believe in the Christian God. Though it may not be specifically the dictionary definition, and people can claim later on down the road that they mean it localized to disbelief in any sort of God, the context often indicates otherwise.
A standard line of reasoning goes thusly:
"Are you christian?"
"No, I don't believe in the christian God."
"Are you atheist?"
Notice that the jump isn't "Do you believe in any other God?" The immediate assumption is that you don't believe in the christian God, and for whatever reason that must mean you don't believe in any other God, as if other Gods weren't a choice.
Another somewhat analogous example might be if I called a black individual a "nigger". Obviously, the context and past history of the word is such that it was meant as a rather disparaging remark, in other words, the context it was used in made the definition and background assumptions about the use of the word lean a certain way. However, I could always say I simply meant "a black person", but that in no way changes the perceptions and general acceptance of what that word means.
I think that we should be very careful when we apply labels, and I do think Ben has a valid point, and that is that since the vast majority are christians, atheist as a title is one that isn't meant to be thought of as no belief in any God, because typically only one God is asked about, and that usually happens to be their God. After that, it seems many think you surely must be an atheist, for belief in any other God must not be an option.
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