Is there a word meaning the belief that you can prove that a god does not exist?

Question

Gnosticism is the belief that you can prove that a god exists.

Agnosticism is the lack of belief that you can prove that a god exists.

These terms can only really be used for theists, because all atheists are, by definition, agnostic. And it is impossible for an atheist to be gnostic, because these beliefs contradict each other.

I'm trying to find out if there are terms similar to these that can be used to further define the beliefs of an atheist.

rowlfe · Answer

You misstate the atheist position. The atheist lacks a belief in a deity, which says nothing about whether a god exists or not. The atheist is NOT agnostic. By misinterpreting the atheist, you are using a ploy called a strawman argument.

Here is a summary of the debate/discussion/argument so far:

Religion: "there is a god", "god made everything"
Atheist: "I see no reason why I should believe you. Show me evidence which proves your claims are true"

Note the atheist says nothing about whether a god exists or not, and not making a claim means no burden of proof.

darthvoice · Answer

You people all have this completely wrong. "Gnostic" is not the opposite of "agnostic" and literally has NOTHING TO DO with proving the existence of a "god", as a matter of fact, "gnosticism" is a collection of ancient religious teachings that one should shun the material world in favor of the spiritual. The fact that everyone here just accepts someone's assumption of the word's definition is very telling.

"gnos·tic
ˈnästik/
adjective
adjective: gnostic

1.
    of or relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge.
        of or relating to Gnosticism.
        adjective: Gnostic

noun
noun: Gnostic; plural noun: Gnostics

1.
    an adherent of Gnosticism"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

"gnostic
 gnos·tic
[nos-tik] 
adjective Also, gnos·ti·cal.
1.
pertaining to knowledge.
2.
possessing knowledge, especially esoteric knowledge of spiritual matters.
3.
( initial capital letter ) pertaining to or characteristic of the Gnostics.
noun
4.
( initial capital letter ) a member of any of certain sects among the early Christians who claimed to have superior knowledge of spiritual matters, and explained the world as created by powers or agencies arising as emanations from the Godhead.

? · Answer

Gnosticism is not just about Gods existence.

Anonymous · Answer

an "atheist" means "without belief in (traditional ) gods it does NOT mean, belief that such gods do not exist.
Gnostics are a religious group that claimed "secret knowledge"

an " agnostic" is one who admits  he is not sure.

A "deist" believes is something, jut not what western christianity organized religions teach.

words have meanings. there are books of words called "dictionaries."

Maurog IV · Answer

Gnostic atheism, these terms don't contradict each other at all.
Gnosticism - position on KNOWLEDGE, says that it's possible to KNOW for sure whether gods exist.
Atheists - position on BELIEF, atheists don't BELIEVE in any gods.

A gnostic atheist thinks they can know for sure whether gods exist, and don't believe in any. Obviously that means they think they know for sure gods don't exist.

Just like: 
gnostic theist, thinks they know for sure that gods exist.
agnostic theist, thinks it's impossible to know if gods exist, but believes in some.
agnostic atheist, thinks it's impossible to know if gods exist, but doesn't believe in any.

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Is there a word meaning the belief that you can prove that a god does not exist?

5 Answers