I think maybe she means atheism is denial of any god? So it only takes believing in one to not be an atheist?

I'm not very clearheaded at the moment, so I dunno.

"Atheist" gets used in different ways. St. Augustine used to admit that Christians were atheists as to the Pagan gods, but believers as to Jesus and the "true god". So in the St. Augustine sense, and probably in the sense the word was used in his time one could be an Atheist in regard to some gods, while believing in others. So in his time, Christian was an atheist in regard to Zeus (Or Jupiter) but not in regard to Christ. One could I presume be an atheist in regard to all gods as well.

And I think if you believe a god exists, but don't like or trust him/her/it/himher/herhim/ you are not an atheist in regard to that. After all, Christians who believe in the Devil don't like trust or worship him - but are not atheists with regard to that. So I won't say whether Dean was once an atheist in regard to the Judeo-Christian-Muslim God, but I would say Dean certainly at this point is not. But Dean still has no faith or trust or love for that God.

Of course just because Augustine used the word "atheist" in a certain way does not mean we do today.

Didn't Dean say he didn't believe in Castiel's god (I mean, if you're not willing to extrapolate from his rejection of the existence of angels)? Is that not enough to label him atheist in that regard?

Didn't he change his mind. Don't remember. Was only Castiel looking for God, or at some point were not the boys as well?

You said you didn't know if Dean had once been an atheist in that regard. If he said he didn't believe in angels nor in Castiel's god (which was his reaction upon being told the whole shebang), wouldn't he have qualified then?

I aaid that because i just did not remember. Yes at one point he was atheist (according to Augustine's definition) as regard to the Christian etc God - based on your quote. But at this point I think he does believe in, but not trust that God so I'm not so sure he is today.

I would say that if you believe in one God or gods and not others and by believe I mean worship, then I think you are a heretic to the people who worship the god/gods that aren't your god/gods.

Not an atheist. (Doesn't the word atheist mean literally without god?)

Well the Ancient Romans accused Christians of being Atheists, and to some extent Augustine accepted that accusation. I think the ancient Greeks applied the term to people who rejected the generally (socially) accepted Gods in favor of more obscure or esoteric Gods. Root parts of a word is not the same as true definition. Mind you, belief in no gods is mostly the meaning of the term.

At any rate from ita !'s quote it seems clear that at one point Dean did not believe in the Judeo/Christiam/Muslim God (herafter JCMG) . I get the impression that this has changed but can't come up with a quote off hand. I'm kind of agnostic as to what definition of "atheist" we use in this context...

"Dean starts the laborious task of shredding Cas of his trenchcoat, jacket, and shirt."

Fic writers are always good for a laugh, if nothing else.

Poor, shredded Cas.

Is it set during their first meeting, before "Lazarus Rising"? Because at least then he'd have had access to Alastair's toolkit for the job...