Apistism
/əˈpɪstɪzəm/noun
The position of lacking belief, especially disbelief in the existence of deities.
Did you know?Apistism is built from the same ancient Greek root associated with trust and faith, making it etymologically related to words such as “faith” and “fidelity.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bheidh-
“To trust, rely on, or persuade”
Ancient Greek
Greek
peithō
“I persuade; I cause someone to trust”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pistis
“Trust, confidence, faith”
Ancient Greek
Greek
apistos
“Unbelieving, untrusting, or not to be trusted; formed with a- meaning “without””
Modern Greek / Scholarly Formation
Greek
apistia
“Unbelief or lack of faith”
20th–21st Century
English
apistism
“A modern philosophical term for lack of belief, particularly religious disbelief”