There have been many discussions about atheism, whether it's belief, and so on. Is there a difference between

"I don't believe leprechauns exist"

and

"I believe leprechauns don't exist"

As always, in any kind of discussion the problem is that people have different definitions for the same word, in this case "believe" (verb) and "belief" (noun).

In order for the difference to make sense, let's agree on the following definitions:

BELIEVE (verb) - ((a)): to consider to be true or honest <believe the reports> <you wouldn't believe how long it took> ((b)): to accept the word or evidence of <I believe you> <couldn't believe my ears>

ASSUME/SUPPOSE (verb) - to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal <suppose a fire broke out> <suppose you bring the salad>

------------ Example:

You are a miner trapped in a mine without any TV, radio, computer, etc.

Someone who's also in the mine says to you: "There is a rescue crew on the way".

Do you believe this person?

Theist: "I believe you. I'm sure they are coming. Let's party!"

Atheist: "We were both trapped in this mine, I don't see any way you could know what's outside, so I don't believe you. I'm not saying you can't be correct. But I will assume there's no rescue crew and act accordingly."

Anti-theist: "I'm sure you're wrong. There will never be any rescue crew."

------------

Agnostic is not an alternative to the above three. Agnostic says: "There is no way of knowing." <-- this doesn't tell you anything about what the person BELIEVES or ASSUMES

------------

Theist either BELIEVES (accepts the evidence) that there is/are (a) god(s), or makes such an ASSUMPTION.

Atheist doesn't BELIEVE (doesn't accept the evidence) that there is/are (a) god(s), and makes an ASSUMPTION (lays down tentatively as a hypothesis) that there are none.

Anti-theist BELIEVES (accepts the evidence) that there are no gods.