A month ago, I posted a comment on why I believed Atheism was a faith.
I've had a crackingly good conversation with George Felis on this subject since then, and had moved my position initially to that of :-
Atheism (strong) is not a faith because Atheists believe in this viewpoint ONLY from the conclusion of rational (a priori) argument rather than say as a matter of hope or revelation and it is that matter of hope or revelation that distinguishes Atheist beliefs from a matter of faith.
However, upon reflection a refinement is needed as Atheism may contain an element of revelation in the sense that the belief maybe revealed through insight or a particular event. However, I can find no examples of where Atheism contains hope, an end game such as salvation. It is this absence of hope which distinguishes Atheism from other faiths.
Hence, I take the stance that :-
Atheism (strong) is not a faith because Atheists believe in this viewpoint ONLY from the conclusion of rational (a priori) argument rather than as a matter of hope and it is that matter of hope that distinguishes Atheist beliefs from a matter of faith.
My original view was wrong and hopefully this explains my title.
