If atheism is not a religion then what is it?

Answer 1

an acceptance of reality

Answer 2

Your question represents the fundamental misunderstanding of most theists and, particularly, conservative Christians (because their brains are the most simplistic in all of humankind).

Your question suggests you assume that belief/disbelief in a supreme being is so big and so important that much (if not most) of your world view (and/or political/social philosophies, etc) is dependent on that one core belief.

That assumption is incorrect. In general (and I know that I am overlooking what some consider to be important differences in definition), atheist simply means ‘not a theist’. That’s it. And, it is not tied to what the person believes about politics, abortion, taxes, crime, alcohol and drug use, pornography, or anything else.

For Atheists, being a non-theist is independent of how they feel about anything else in life. This is, apparently, a difficult concept for many theists to grasp.

It is impossible for conservative Christians to understand it at all because all of their beliefs are so tightly wound and bound together that a change in any one, but especially the ‘God' one, has an earthquake like effect on all the others.

Atheism is not a philosophy or a belief system. It is, simply, not believing in a supreme being. And, hard as it might be for you theists to accept – it is really no big deal. With or without god, life goes on just the same (except your Sundays [or Saturdays, whatever] are free).

Answer 3

It's the lack of belief in a God.

I am not an atheist, but I do not belong to any one religion either. Religion is like a dirty word to me. I mean, I look around and see that most of the horrible issues in the world have been caused by organized religion.

Answer 4

One does not have to have a religion to qualify as a member of the human race.

If atheism is a religion, it is the easiest one to join, and the maintenance fees are an absolute dream.

Know of any other religions that have no clergy, no theology schools, no texts, no gurus, no buildings, no finances, and no capacity to perform weddings?

.

Answer 5

Atheism is disbelief of the "spiritual" world. It is a rejection of mythological sky wizards created by ignorant bronze age sheep herders. It is a repudiation of dogma, willfull ignorance, wanton cruelty, and scientific ineptitude.

It isn't a religion. It's doesn't require anything of its adherents other than reasonable thought and the ability to discern fact from fiction.

Answer 6

The word describes the absence of belief in any deities, no Gods. Religion, by definition, implies belief in something.

Answer 7

I stepped on a poptart.

White Rabbit is right, atheism is a thing where you don't have magical stuff. One thing lacking in my life is magical stuff, yet I do not envy the church people.

Answer 8

How many times is thins going to be asked tonight?

Atheism is a belief.

Answer 9

Atheism is the reality of a free unencumbered and unpoisoned mind.

Answer 10

The opposing view some of us look into the void and see the void we are honest . Religion has never been honest. the religious look into the void and fabricate all sundry false tales and visions.
peace out

Answer 11

But it is a religion, a vicious one, like Islam and atheist are as adamant as Islamists that if you don't believe like they do then you are "less than". No one, NO ONE evangelizes as hard a an atheist.