The word "antitheist" is spelled with the prefix "anti-" meaning against, and the root "theist" meaning belief in god(s). The sound "an-" is pronounced /æn/ ,and the "ti-" is pronounced /t̬aɪ/. The "theist" part is pronounced /ˈθiːɪst/. Therefore, the complete spelling of "antitheist" is pronounced /æn.t̬ə.θiː.ɪst/. The word refers to someone who opposes the belief in god(s) and religion. Antitheists often hold a negative perspective towards theism or believers in the divine.
Antitheist is defined as a person who actively opposes or rejects the existence of gods or any form of deity. The term is derived from the combination of the Greek words "anti," meaning against, and "theos," meaning god.
Antitheists hold a strong disbelief in the divine and often seek to counteract or undermine religions and religious beliefs. They reject the notion of a supreme being or higher power and may view religion as harmful, irrational, or detrimental to society.
Antitheism is noticeably different from atheism, which simply denotes a lack of belief in gods, as antitheists actively oppose the idea of gods and may engage in efforts to challenge and criticize religious institutions, traditions, and practices. They may argue that religion has negative implications, including promoting superstition, intolerance, and inequality, while hindering scientific progress and critical thinking.
Antitheists may engage in activism, such as advocating for the separation of state and religion, promoting secularism, or supporting causes that challenge religious influence in societal affairs.
It's important to note that not all non-religious individuals are antitheists, as some may simply hold a personal lack of belief without actively opposing the concept of gods. Antitheism represents a more assertive stance that actively opposes religious beliefs and practices.
The word "antitheist" has a fairly straightforward etymology. It combines two roots: "anti-" and "theist".
- "Anti-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "antí", meaning "against" or "opposed to". It is commonly used in English to indicate opposition or negation. For example, "antibacterial" means against bacteria, "antifreeze" means against freezing, and so on.
- "Theist" comes from the Greek word "theos", which means "god". A theist is a person who believes in the existence of at least one deity or god.
So, when you combine "anti-" with "theist", you get "antitheist", which means someone who is against or opposed to the belief in gods or deities.