Why do some of the religious have to soil the name of atheism by calling it a religion?

Question

Atheists don't follow a self contradicting Scripture
Atheists don't give money to a cult
Atheists don't inspire terrorism
So why spout rubbish like this twisted theist on my last question?

supratuner9
Level 2

every one is religious, even athiests, they BELIEVE there is no God so in a way they have a religion all their own

does this moron require belief to say there is no such thing as unicorns?

Answer 1

Very few theists understand atheism. If they did, they'd likely become one. But for most of them, they can't comprehend a life without a belief in some supernatural-ness. I doubt that's a word. But it makes my point.

But basically, they don't understand. And they never will until they educate themselves and discover how to live without it. You can lead a horse to water...

Answer 2

When anyone becomes devout in their belief, and joins with others of the same belief, it becomes a religion. A deity is NOT a requirement. A Taoist does not have a deity and the scripture is obscure yet NOT contradictory. Terrorist are NOT by definition religious, merely fanatically violent, and cults are formed around virtually anything--all you need is fanaticism for something. Some atheists DO join cults, some terrorists ARE atheists, and many atheists can mangle scripture better than a priest. Just because you choose a mundane belief system does NOT make your beliefs any less powerful than a theists. Relax a bit on the fanaticism.

Answer 3

Scripture doesn't contradict itself: it teaches lessons, sometimes using paradox to illustrate a point.

The Catholic Church is not a terroristic group. It is a system of beliefs and practices, none of which require murder or "death to the infidels."

The Catholic Church does not give money to cults (unless you define charity as a cult).

Technically speaking, Atheism inasmuch as it is not a belief system but a lack thereof would not be a religion. However, when you start talking about the origins of the universe and other such things that science can never prove, you begin to adopt some sort of religion of your own.

Now here's a question for you: Why do you have to soil the name of religion by saying that, in order for a religion to be as such, it must have terroristic, cultic practices? You're misinformed and prejudiced about anyone who has any reason to live outside of the hell that people like you put us through for having something to hold on to.

Answer 4

Your problem lies in your inability to properly distinguish between a philosophy and a faith.

Religion is simply a system of rituals and practices associated with a certain faith.

It's faith that provides the common ground between the "religious" and the atheist.

Since there is currently no way for anyone to conclusively prove either the existence OR the non-existence of God, then BOTH parties MUST have faith each in their own belief.

As for unicorns, who says they don't exist? How do YOU know what's on other planets in this galaxy? How do you know that they were never here, even as visitors, and got spotted by early humans?

It's absurd for anyone to make flat-footed statements about anything if they do not know with absolute certitude whether or not they've got all the facts. Without all the facts, any statement you make is a statement of faith. Period!

Answer 5

Your are full of hate towards Christians. Why is every one of your questions directed at bashing Christians? Are you not capable of an educated discussion? Fine you are an atheist- I can respect and accept that. But why do you feel the need to continually bash Christians? How can you call all religions cults? I can assure you that my church is not a cult. I am free to leave when I wish or stay, I don't have to pay any fees nor am I subjected to "rituals", that you may associate with actual cults. I accept that fact that you don't believe in God- why can't you just agree to disagree and let people believe what they want without spouting out hatred like your question here.

Answer 6

I don't know who really upset you, but I would never call atheism a religion. If anything, it is the opposite.

Wikipedia's definition:
Religion is a system of social coherence commonly understood as a group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object (real or imagined), person (real or imagined), or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought. It is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system"[1], but is more socially defined than that of personal convictions.

With this in mind, I could never say that atheism is a SYSTEM, COHERANT, GROUP OF BELIEVERS or has a SYSTEM OF THOUGHT.

So don't worry, I won't say any of these things about atheism. Although I don't think that you have to worry about anyone SOILING the atheist name.

Answer 7

One definition for religion is: A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
Another: A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
Many of the atheists here seem to pursue atheism with the same devotion as many Christians here. Seems it could work.

Answer 8

Well, I have a better question...How come there are several Atheist groups trying to file for tax exempt status to form an Atheist Church? Right here in Dallas, this is happening. So it seems that even hardline Atheists think it is a religion.

Answer 9

To be an atheist you have to BELIEVE that there is no God, and since you can't prove either the existance or absence of God without a shadow of a doubt, either BELIEF is a religion.

Answer 10

Definition from Webster's Dictionary of Religion - a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

So, Atheism is a religion