Is atheism a religion?

Question

Is there a set of guidlines that all atheists follow? Do they have their own version of a 'bible' or 'koran' or whetever?
I just wonder, "why are there so many of them hanging around on this thread"?

Answer 1

no its not. they just love criticizing Christians and are in their own search for God. they believe in him which explains all the constant sarcastic postings and dwelling on this thread. i mean, i just cant see myself spending 24/7 debunking Buddhism and insulting it's followers if i truly believed it was nonsense. i have a life but obviously atheists do not. most atheists love to debate religion, actually Christianity. why? beats me. maybe its because this is what God said will happen to Christians who decide to follow the path of Christ. Jesus was also criticized with ridicule and despise. It would make sense that his followers would also. they say they are firm in their beliefs of no God but constantly research the bible to find contradictions to further substantiate their beliefs and try to persuade others. this is behavior of an uncertain individual. they dont offend me though. i actually feel pity for them.

Answer 2

Atheism is a believe and I think I've seen it listed as a religion. Only a small percent at the time were atheist. This was in 1989 about 10% were concidered atheist.

Not sure if they have a book. They certainly had some type of organization were later, not sure what year, Madilyn O'hare was a treasurer or some board person of some atheist group at the top and was violently killed for money. The money was the money of this atheist group. It make national news.

Answer 3

Atheism is the belief that God does not exist. Just that simple. Nothing more. The reason there are so many of us around here, is that Yahoo! Answers TENDS ( with an emphasis on tends) to have people that are more intelligent than the general population.

Answer 4

In that it lacks set rituals or customs, no.

In that it is a belief held as firmly and stridently as any fundamentalist Christian, Muslim or Jew holds their beliefs, yes.

In that it is no more liable to proof positive than their respective assertions, yes.

They hang around this thread for one or more of four reasons.
1) They desperately want someone to come along and convince them of the barrenness of their "faith" and show them a better one.

2) They have such a gaping hole in their lives that they must fill it with something, anything, and baiting believers at least fills the empty hours.

3) They're insanely jealous of believers and would do anything to get us to join them in their misery. Misery loves company, you know.

4) They're just nasty know-nothings who have nothing better to do with their lives than trying to be mean to others.

If they bother you, ignore them.
If you think you can reach them, try. Through prayer, NOT through pandering to their words.
In any case, pray for them. It's probably the most positive thing you'll ever do for them anyway.

Answer 5

Atheism is not a religion. There are dozens of reasons why, many of them found here: http://www.atheists.org/faqs/atheism.html

We have no holy scripture, as that would defy the nature of atheism. I personally like to say that Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" is my bible, but that's just a little joke.

There is a short list of guidelines that atheists TEND to follow, but it's by no means a definitive list of.. "commandments," shall we say. This is technically the Humanist Manifesto, but I think most atheists would agree it's a pretty good version of how we tend to think: http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto1.html

As for why there are so many of us hanging around on this thread, you could ask the same question about why evangelical Christians tend to hang around non-theist, agnostic and atheist threads.

*xors

Answer 6

No - atheism is not a religion. I think it would be more of a philosophical viewpoint. It doesn't have a specific enough set of 'belief requirements' to qualify as a religion, IMHO.

As far as why atheists are in this forum - they enjoy defending their worldview every bit as much as Christians do. R&S is not a Christians-only club. I cannot stress that enough.

Answer 7

As an atheist, I do not consider atheism a religion. I believe in no supernatural entities nor do we have any dogma.

Also, atheists are not required to believe in darwinian evolution. Many do believe it's true because of overwhelming evidence. But it is not dogma. You can believe evolution is wrong and still be an atheist.

Answer 8

Some atheists set out to prove the falsehood of theological beliefs but the majority just settle for disbelieving in God.

Answer 9

atheists refute religion, atheism is not a religion

and there are atheists in this forum because you can't just have one side, atheists are the other side of religion, the one that doesn't accept it, we have as much of a right to voice our disbelief as you have to voice your belief

Answer 10

That's so stupid...

I'm tired of answering the same dumb questions again and again. Its a religion forum and I have an opinion on religion. Really if you want to be rational about it, since you're religious you're probably biased against other faiths - maybe atheists should be the only ones allowed in, huh?

Ya big Dummy.