Absence of medical treatment is not a form of treatment - it is the antithesis of treatment.
Absence of belief is not a form of belief - it is the antithesis of belief.
Those statements are correct. I've seen it, and have seen that all along.
I disagree and think there's more to it than just what those statements conclude.
My response to Agamemnon will hopefully answer your question as well.
Agamemnon, you said the definition chosen needs to fit the context. I don't have a firm religious faith that it will rain.... makes a lot of sense. I agree. However, whether it's a firm religious faith,
or an opinion
- it's still a belief / it's still believing!
If you "hold an opinion; suppose", or "hold an opinion; think", you're fitting the context of belief / believing!
You're saying I'm picking the wrong definition, I'm saying you're leaving out a correct one. Dictionary entries have specific definitions and general ones. Just because it doesn't apply to a specific definition, doesn't mean it couldn't apply to the general one.
The religious one is rather specific, and if it doesn't apply, it doesn't fly. The "Opinion" one is very general.
(wikipedia) An opinion is a subjective statement or thought about an issue or topic, and is the result of emotion
or interpretation of facts.
(Dictionary.com) Opinion –noun
1.a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2.a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. (Webster.com) Opinion
1a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b : approval, esteem
2a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view3a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based
Just what it says, if you "hold an opinion" (have a view, impression, judgment or appraisal), you believe.
You're saying as an atheist, there is no belief.... meaning you do not have a religious faith. That is very true. I agree.
Leaving religion and lack thereof aside, it's just as proper of a definition to say "You as an atheist, believe there is no God." meaning you do hold an opinion, conviction, etc. to come to that conclusion.
Here's an example: We're on an art forum that discusses color theory, and I make the random statement "I like to eat oranges." and you say, "That's impossible, you can't eat a color." Definitions come out, and someone could technically use context to make the point.
.....but really, technically, if its defined, it is what it is.
The only difference is "oranges" applies to a specific definition, a fruit, but "color" is not a general definition - it's another specific one.
In regards to the belief definition, a "religious faith in God" is "an opinion held".