Remember the only acceptable answer here is a definition of "religion" that is (a) an generally accepted definition of the word "religion" and (b) is broad enough to include atheism within its scope.
2006-07-21 10:37:20 · 9 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, for starters, it requires a "faith" of sorts that there is no God. There is no empirical proof that there is no God, so the concept must be one of "faith."
It has its own "theology," such as evolution, or science in general, to replace any other worldview.
It requires a secular worldview, non-atheists are excluded, although seekers are welcome.
Federal (and the Supreme) Courts have either ruled, or alluded that atheism is a non-theistic religion. Such as this case:
"Atheism is [the inmate's] religion, and the group that he wanted to start was religious in nature even though it expressly rejects a belief in a supreme being," the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said.
The court decided the inmate's First Amendment rights were violated because the prison refused to allow him to create a study group for atheists." (WND, August 2005)
2006-07-21 10:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Fundamentalist Christians have an agenda to paint atheism as a religion, so that they can kick 'it' out of the schools. This is utterly illogical and very dangerous. They want to pretend that scientific beliefs and a support for a secular state are somehow atheistic beliefs.
However, most of our founders were deists and wanted a secular state and supported science. (Our constitution only mentions religion twice - to protect/prevent the free excercise/establishment of it and to prohibit any religious test for public office holders.) John Paul II declared evolution was god's mechanism for creation. I can't believe a proponent of this view of atheism would believe that belief in the theory of electricity or gravity is a religious belief, but how would that be different from belief in evolution? Many evolutionary biologists are Christians.
The saddest part of this move by the fundies is the disavowing of their own religion. Since atheism literally means without god, how could is ever be a religion? It essentially means 'without religion' doesn't it? A person who is an atheism does not believe a set of things about the world and only 'doesn't believe' what someone else has made up and decided is real. If you make up that the great pumpkin is coming and I don't believe you, suddenly my not believing in the great pumpkin is a religion?
A religion is not a religion because it's adherents don't believe things. This is absurdist thinking. A religion is a religion because it has a specified set of beliefs about the nature of God (not about the existance of God) and a prescribed and often proscribed set of actions.
Again, those pushing the idea that atheism is a religion have only one goal - the destruction of religious liberty in america. Their followers are often too prepared to accept illogic as truth and so their followers may only be well-meaning dupes for these enemies of the United States and all liberty-loving and free-conscious-supporting peoples.
2006-07-21 17:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll repeat my earlier answer: "Is believing in nothing still having a belief? I think it is. Therefore atheists would have a religious belief. That there is nothing. Does a group of people sharing the same religious belief and going by the same name constitute a religion? Again, I think it does....but that's just my opinion."
Does that make atheism a legal religion? No. It just means that I happen to think it qualifies as a religion.
2006-07-21 17:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by Frodo the space bard 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"a·the·ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (th-zm)
n.
1aDisbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
1bThe doctrine that there is no God or gods.
2Godlessness; immorality. "
"re·li·gion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljn)
n.
1a Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
1b A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2 The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3 A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4 A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion."
(Defs from Dictionary.com)
I think the #4 definition fits very well.
2006-07-21 17:48:33 · answer #4 · answered by acaykath 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion is an organized set of beliefs based on faith. Although Atheism is a belief based on faith, it is not organized as per se.
For example, I can personally believe in a creator, and not be religious.
Thus your premise and question is wrong.
2006-07-21 17:53:15 · answer #5 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dunno if U R athiest or not, but I am LDS. And not to be mean or anything, but I wouldn't even consider Atheism a religion. Some people say it is a way of life, but I just think it is a belief...but not a religion. I mean................. for MANY years, everyone has celebrated Christmas, but now.....these Athiests throw off tradition!
2006-07-21 17:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by [[baby girl]] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in a loose sense of the word, the atheist makes themselves "God" answering only to their selves and human law. They are more connected to the philosophy of secular humanism. Oh, the bible mentions the atheist by name - "The Fool has said in his heart there is no God". Sorry, I could not resist.
2006-07-21 17:47:13 · answer #7 · answered by SusieDarling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we define it as a religion, do I get tax exempt status? If so, then yes. Otherwise, no.
2006-07-21 17:53:41 · answer #8 · answered by Arkangyle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
absolutely none.
2006-07-21 17:42:07 · answer #9 · answered by amanda k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋