I think what folk have been telling you is that the definitions you used in the OP simply are not correct. Remember, a Dictionary does not define the meaning of a word. Rather it is a historical document that records the common usage of words. It is not at all unusual to have a word that is commonly missused, and as such, that misuse will be reflected in dictionary.If limited to the definitions in the OP, it appears that many of the respondents would not be Aethists, but something else.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Absolutely correct. As I said, a dictionary is a historical document. It simply records how a word WAS used. It's not as though the folk that publish the Funk&Wagnall make decisions about what something should mean. They do not. They don't even arbitrate.The way a dictionary is compiled is that folk go through volumes and volumes of sources, pull out every time a word in used and the context. The one that occurs most often is the first definition posted, the others follow.But what folk here have been telling you is that they consider themselves as Atheists but do not fit the definition that you provided. Since a Map is not the territory, the definition is not the thing defined, they are the ultimate authority, not the dictionary.If someone says they are and atheist but that they don't fit your definition, it is your definition and the dictionary that are wrong.

The Definition is not the object being Defined!

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The Map is not the Territory!

This message has been edited by jar, 03-01-2005 14:19 AM

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Children, Humph.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion