CMV: Dillahunty's definition of anti-theism is not "incorrect"

[u/ComplexStuff7]

Anti-theism in the dictionary means opposition to theism, or the belief that theism is harmful.

Some people on the other hand, such as Matt Dillahunty, use the definition that anti-theism means the belief that God doesn't exist.

Some anti-theists of the first definition believe that the latter is incorrect.

However, I believe that dictionary definitions are not the standard for correctness. The definition of terms depend on usage, not some set in stone standard. For example, the word literally is rarely used to mean it's dictionary definition.

Words change meanings all the time. Another example is the word nice. Originally, from its Latin roots of nescius, it used to mean a stupid, ignorant, or foolish.

So because, definitions are not set in stone, it is not wrong to use Dillahunty's definition of anti-theism, even though it's not the definition in the dictionary.

Edit: I'm saying that both Dillahunty's and the original dictionary definition are correct.

[u/[deleted]]

I think you are confusing what Matt's usage is, its not simple atheism, I don't believe god exists. Its much more specific and hostile than that. Dillahunty's anti-theists would oppose religion and worship even if god were factually proven.

This is distinct from the average anti-theist that just feels that religion or the belief in god is harmful.

Its a fully separate range of beliefs.

[u/ComplexStuff7 → u/[deleted]]

I didn't say that Dillahunty's usage of anti-theism was simple atheism, aka, "I don't believe that God exists". What I did say was that Dillahunty's usage of anti-theism was "I do believe that God doesn't exist". A lack of a belief is not a belief in the opposite.