EAllusion wrote: He doesn't want people to self-identify with a label that specifically signifies "I don't believe in God." His problem isn't with the term atheism per se, but what it signifies. He regards this as negative and giving rhetorical ground to those who believe in God. Read the exchanges. It is silly.
I don't think it's silly, he's correct, the term is viewed negatively, misinterpreted to mean it is a positive assertion that no God exists and does give rhetorical ground.
The term "rationalist" isn't particularly helpful on this front because
1) it isn't specific enough
and
2) plenty of people regard their belief in God as rational, so if a person asserts that they are a "rationalist" it doesn't actually provide any reliable information as to what their views on the existence of God actually are.
Well it depends on the context that the word rationalist is used in.
It's probably better for atheists to not refer to themselves as atheists when discussing with theists. Because I willingly use that term for myself I get labelled a dogmatist by some, without those applying the label ever determining and/or appreciating what my position is. Most theists can not seem to comprehend that someone may lack a belief in whatever Gods are being presented. There's nothing dogmatic about that position whatsoever. But they can not seem to wrap their minds around someone rejecting their belief, not holding a dogmatic position, and not particularly concerned with what particular God belief they may have.