Thread: If Atheism is not a Religion....What is it?

What? You can beleive in something and not have it be a religion. I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. That doesn't mean I believe in the sun or I'm a sun worshiper.

Atheism is only the default position, everyone is an atheist until they believe in a god(s).

hmm i suppose but in a way being Atheist doesn't make you act a certain way. By that i mean a Christian specifically goes to a location to show their religion, where as an Atheist doesn't go to an Atheist building. Basically they don't preach their "believes" on a day to day basis.

Also i wouldn't exactly call it a "believe" God doesn't exist, it's a lack of belief in anything we cannot examine. So basically Atheists go by what can be shown and seen. So it's not a "believe" God doesn't exist, it's just there's no testable evidence to show he does.

Kind of confusing.... i get what i mean! Also i'd say no Atheist claims 100% that their believe is true, they are open to the 0.000000000000001 possibly God exists, if it can be proven and tested. That makes them different from others.


... WHAT GROD SAID ABOVE ME!!!

Like in your other thread, read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

"Atheism is as much a religion as bald is a hair colour."

Originally Posted by ExoByte

"Atheism is as much a religion as bald is a hair colour."

Bald is a hair colour

OMG WUT?!

Originally Posted by ExoByte

"Atheism is as much a religion as bald is a hair colour."

I am so using that next time someone says this in real life!

For soft atheism, anyways.

Hard atheism is a belief based on faith, just as laughable as any religion if you ask me.

wow i just read the majority of that wikipedia article, a good read.

But that would make every thought a religion. I believe in that sandwich, I beleive in gravity... I'd consider atheism is a neutral state. If religions are about "gods" then I wouldn't say atheism is one.

To me atheism is the lack of beleif in a god and nothing more nothing less.

Silly me.... I though that you guys worshipped his holy, majestical Richard Dorkins.

Originally Posted by psychology student

Silly me.... I though that you guys worshipped his holy, majestical Richard Dorkins.

Ooh, clever.

"If atheism isn't a religion, what is it?"

A lack of religion. a-... theism. Get it? Not-... theism.

Originally Posted by spiritofthewolf

I have heard alot of Atheist say that "Atheism" is not a Religion..

Here is the dictionary definition of Religion..

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.


So by that stated above Religion is a "Believe" based... Atheist's "Believe" in no Gods......So what I conclude is that Atheism is a religion.

Would like your opinions!

thnx

Atheist is the title of a person who does not subscribe to any theology.

Just look at the word.

Originally Posted by psychology student

Silly me.... I though that you guys worshipped his holy, majestical Richard Dorkins.

Do you ever have anything meaningful to contribute anymore?

And I worship Sam Harris before Richard Dawkins. I also worship Hitchens and Dennett.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

hmm i suppose but in a way being Atheist doesn't make you act a certain way. By that i mean a Christian specifically goes to a location to show their religion, where as an Atheist doesn't go to an Atheist building. Basically they don't preach their "believes" on a day to day basis.

Also i wouldn't exactly call it a "believe" God doesn't exist, it's a lack of belief in anything we cannot examine. So basically Atheists go by what can be shown and seen. So it's not a "believe" God doesn't exist, it's just there's no testable evidence to show he does.

Kind of confusing.... i get what i mean! Also i'd say no Atheist claims 100% that their believe is true, they are open to the 0.000000000000001 possibly God exists, if it can be proven and tested. That makes them different from others.


... WHAT GROD SAID ABOVE ME!!!

I don't believe in anything 100% and I'm Christian. Many people don't comprehend that Christianity is a way to live, a philosophy, a set of morals. I believe Atheists have morals as well?

Originally Posted by Seismosaur

Atheist is the title of a person who does not subscribe to any theology.

Just look at the word.

Is subscribe an other word for believe?..

Atheism being tagged a religion is about as ridiculous as non-violence being branded a form of violence.

Originally Posted by Needcatscan

Do you ever have anything meaningful to contribute anymore?

And I worship Sam Harris before Richard Dawkins. I also worship Hitchens and Dennett.

What can you contribute to the meatless, lifeless, black hole of atheism?
"There is no god............................................... ............"? Choke, choke.

Originally Posted by psychology student

What can you contribute to the meatless, lifeless, black hole of atheism?
"There is no god............................................... ............"? Choke, choke.

My belief system is better than your belief system! Nyeah!

Oh, and saying one true thing is better than saying a million untrue things

Hey, it's just language, and English is a complex and illogical one at that.

But if you're really hung up on whether or not atheism is a religion, we should start with the understanding that the "A" in atheism works the same way as the "A" in "asymmetry," that is it means "without," or "not."

Your question sounds much like:

atypical - "Why don't atypical things typically happen?"
asymptomatic - "What kind of symptom is asymptomatic?"
atonal - "What's the tonal center of atonal music?"
asymmetrical - "What kind of symmetry does an asymmetrical thing have?"

How very Zen Koan of you!

My question to SoW:
If atheism is a religion, what do you call people who have no religion?

Is belief in God religion?

Originally Posted by Keeper

Is belief in God religion?

No, it's just a knee-jerk reaction to Atheism.

Originally Posted by wasup

My belief system is better than your belief system! Nyeah!

Oh, and saying one true thing is better than saying a million untrue things

Well then your first statement is one in a million.

If a non-American is not a type of American, what is he?