Well, there were several hundred entries to the contest, but it’s time to declare the winner of the autographed hardback first-edition first-printing mint copy of WEIT. First, a reminder of what I was looking for:
Provide a snappy, one-word name for those atheists who are nonetheless soft on faith (i.e., atheist accommodationists). You know them — the kind of people, like Michael Ruse, who say, “I am an atheist, but . . .”. In other words, the folks who, says Daniel Dennett, have “belief in belief.” That’s a snappy phrase, but it ain’t one word.
RULES: Contest open for one week, answers on this thread. Only two submissions per person. Be clever, as it’s the word I want to use on this website from now on. PLEASE do not post anything on this thread except your entries.
Almost immediately there were two cute responses, Jesuits (by Darkling) and Unitarians (by blueollie). Funny, yes, but not good for discussing the problem, as these terms already refer to something else.
Reader Rieux pointed out that Dawkins himself discussed the variety of of accommodationist “I-am-an-atheist but”ers on his website (Screechy Monkey suggested the name “Butters” for this), but Dawkins never came up with a name.
A very popular entry was the suggestion Templetons (Adam M). Sadly, it is inaccurate because many Templetonites are in fact religious, and so don’t fit the bill as atheists. Moving on to the near winners:
RUNNERS UP (in no particular order)
Godlycoddlers (by Kitty’sBitch), also winner of the Most Mellifluous Entry
Placatheists (by Todd Shackleford)
Credophiles (by Thanny). Winner of the Most Pejorative Entry Prize
Betraytheists (Macronencer)
Muzzle-ems (Sigmund) Winner of the Especially Cute Award
But one entry clearly stood out as being not only snappy, but also short, to the point, and clever. There were several versions with different spellings, but I gave the award to the first entry that was spelled in the proper way.
And that winner is . . . . .
** FAITHEISTS,** contributed by Divalent.
This will be the word that I use from now on, so I expect everyone to learn it.
Divalent, please contact me (a little Googling will produce my email) so that I can get your address.
And thanks to all for your brainpower, which just goes to show that atheists are indeed funnier!