Latest Lists

Should the American Heritage dictionary list 'immorality' as a definition for 'atheism'?

The American Heritage Dictionary lists ‘immorality’ as one of the definitions of ‘atheism’ in the last three editions (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) http://www.bartleby.com/61/52/A0495200.html Please state whether or not you agree, maybe why, and your religious affiliation? Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Sure, because atheism will live on forever. People, however, will not. Even if they are atheists.
2. lol that is stupid Atheism has nothing to do with morality so that is an incorrect definition But I see online dictionaries have incorrect definitions all the time. Many seem to take popular definitions(even if they are wrong) and use them
3. Where do an atheists morals come from if not from God?
4. No, I am sure that all those who classify them self as atheists are not immoral. Many just have not found a religion or belief structure they are comfortable with, so call themselves atheists to belong to a group or easily definable category for discussion. I am LDS (Mormon), and am very strong on morality. I feel every one is born with some amount of the "light of Christ" so they know the right from what is wrong, whatever they may call it. To be immoral they need to deaden their conscience.
5. I do not see the relationship between atheistic beliefs and immorality. I know some moral minded atheists. And I know some who claim Christianity who are immoral. I think such a reference needs editing. I am a Christian.
6. It also calls atheism a doctrine in the second definition.
7. I am definitely NOT an atheist, but I think that that is a rude definition. I know atheists who are extremely good and moral. I'm not sure where that definition came from.
8. Immorality means to not have a moral conscience does it not? I have known many people who do not believe in God who still have a moral conscience. So no, I would have to say that I don't think it is based on actuality. Perhaps the intent (I have not read it) of the dictionary to give what people might consider atheist to mean. I am a Christian.
9. See I told my mama that the dictionary wasn't always right! lol Seriously though, I think its wrong to stereotype any group, whether they be atheists, Christians, Tibetan Monks, Muslims... It doesn't matter. You can't make a blatant statement like that and say it applies to everyone under that title.
10. Thats probably why its a minor dictionary, at best. Because that is retarded. Now, if it had said that some theists use the word that way, but that it is an erroneous use of the word, that might have been OK. To make up for it, they need to add the following definition: "Theist, a liar. " It would be as true as their claim that atheism = immorality...
11. Wtf?! That's just wrong... Of course I disagree! Morals have nothing to do with religion whatsoever. I'm an atheist, and my morals are just as good as the ones of my Christian friends. The person who wrote that entry obviously was a theist of some kind.. *Head-desk*. Why don't they list "epic awesomeness" as a definition for atheism instead? That's much closer to the truth than "immorality" is anyway.. ;)
12. It's silly to have more than one definition of the word. It's simply, "Lack of belief in god(s)." End of story. Nothing more, nothing less. Just looked up "Theism." It has a single, simple definition, not three like "Atheism".
13. nope I'm not religious the dictionary makers have fell for the lie that godlessness equals immorality
14. I highly disagree. Every atheist I know personally is more "Christ-like" and moral than most Christians I know.
15. A dictionary just reflects usage. It doesn't make up new definitions. Some people have equated atheism with immorality (using the "against God" sense), but the reverse is not true. You won't find "atheism" among the definitions for "immmorality".
16. How much do you want to bet that they wrote that without any research, consideration, or input from an Atheist? Just because a person doesn't use god as a source of morals doesn't mean that he/she is necessarily immoral (or amoral). Nor do all people who are immoral lack a belief in a deity. Whether consulting anecdotal experience of anybody who has ever dealt with an Atheist or by examining the philosophy of Atheistic movements over the years, this is all-too-obvious. This definition can only be based on sheer ignorance, religious propoganda, or it is an act of deliberate misinformation. I'm seriously considering writing them an open letter to charge them with defending their definition.
17. Personally, I find that very rude and judgmental. I've met plenty of Atheists and they were pretty awesome people. One girl in particular was extremely intelligent, never hesitated to help someone out, and could easily make me laugh to tears. I'm quite surprised to see such biased assumptions even in the dictionary these days. Quite sad.
18. Disagree, conservative Atheist.
19. I disagree- there are plenty of atheists who are good humanitarian people,and also, there are plenty of hard core thugs in prison, who are religious. believing in a god /or not-does not make one immoral or moral
20. Of course not, this is stupid. There's absolutely no correlation between the two. Morals come from our conscience, and since atheists are people, they do have a conscience and thus morals. That dictionary is biased and should be re-written.
21. No. That's completely incorrect. I am an atheist. I imagine I have better morals than an awful lot of religious people.