antitheism
Definition
- Noun:
- Opposition to theism: "Antitheism" is the active opposition, rejection, or hostility toward belief in the existence of a god or gods, often combined with a critique of religious institutions and practices.
Usage Examples
- (Active opposition to belief in deities.)
- (Rejection of theistic beliefs and their influence.)
Advanced Usage
- "Antitheism vs. atheism": While atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods, antitheism is a more engaged stance that actively opposes theistic belief and its social consequences.
- Many critics distinguish antitheism from atheism, noting that antitheism involves a moral or political objection to religion. (Antitheism is a form of opposition, not just disbelief.)
Variants and Related Words
- Antitheistic (adj): relating to or characterized by opposition to theism.
- The antitheistic movement gained traction during the Enlightenment. (Opposed to belief in gods.)
- Antitheist (n): a person who holds antitheistic views.
- He identifies as an antitheist, not merely an atheist. (Someone who actively opposes theism.)
Synonyms
- Opposition to religion: a stance that is critical of religious beliefs and practices.
- Anti-religion: a broader term for being against religion, often overlapping with antitheism.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms are directly associated with "antitheism," as it is a technical term used in philosophy and religious studies.)