h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

'Atheist' is not short for or equivalent to 'antitheist'. It means 'without theism' rather than 'against theism'.

Antitheist is a term some branches of Christianity have invented/adopted, I suppose as an insult or to imply that atheists are persecuting them.

"with some antitheists calling for the word 'probably' to be removed from the proposed adverts."

I probably haven't made it clear enough that I'm referring to the 'new atheists' such as Dawkins when I use 'antitheist'. I'll ask for this footnote to be added:

"Antitheism is a state of active opposition to theism, and some antitheists even work to promote the removal of religion from legislature and public institutions. Not all atheists are antitheists!"

To be honest, Dawkins has been giving atheism a bad reputation, so I think it's useful to reclaim the word antitheist and use it literally to describe 'new atheists', so that non-dogmatic atheists don't get tarred with the same brush.

Alex

You are thinking of anti-clericals.

Fair enough, "and some antitheists even work to promote the removal of religion from legislature and public institutions" does refer to an anti-clerical point of view. But I only include that bit in the sense of saying "and some antitheists are anti-clericals".

Oh and btw, I think the latest term that the apologists are using to badmouth atheists is 'evangelical atheists'

Yes, you're right, it is a good summary when you put it like that.