If you take atheism only to be the position that "God does not exist" then jpappl and you would be correct in your assessments.THIS IS THE SANEST POST (other than mine of course, ) I've read in this thread. Not that I've read the entire thread, mind you. I have only skipped around upon returning.
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This finds its way to to the crux of the issue. And quite possibly does resolve it! IMHO
However, many/most atheists do not hold the position "God does not exist" - merely they do not hold the position that "God exists".
I.e. most will say that they believe neither that God exists nor that God does not exist, precisely for the reasons that jpappl sets out.
And before you raise it, this is a very different position to agnosticism.
Therefore, as far as "strong atheism" goes, jpappl is correct.
But as far as all atheism goes - jpappl is not correct.