Based on my understanding of the terms, I say no...however some person on reddit claims a deist is not a theist and that a deist can therefore be an atheist.
Context:
http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comment ... ?context=3 (http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/9tok1/bill_maher_is_not_an_atheist_in_his_own_words/c0effbd?context=3)
What do you think?
Deism is a belief in a god they just don't think its a personal god like YHWH. Since they have belief in a nonspecific god I say they should be classified as theists.
Deism is the belief in a god, albiet an uncaring one. Atheism, as you know, is the disbelief in a god(s). So no a Deist cannot be an Atheist. I would guess this individual has an improper understanting of one or both terms.
Thanks for your answers...I'm going to post this thread if he keeps arguing with me. My understanding of the words atheist, theist, and deist are based on common usage....as evidenced by the current agreement between everyone in this thread. If anyone disagrees, by all means chime in.