Are they just trolling because they know its not true and they're trying to annoy the Atheists on here?
You do know that results in being reported for that behavior right?
2007-02-20 05:17:41 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I haven't a clue! Well, actually, I do... they keep harping on "it takes just as much FAITH".
*sigh* No, it takes SKEPTICISM. And even if atheism WAS all about faith, faith alone does not a religion make. To explain, I'm gunna hafta get a little long winded, so bear with me. There are several characteristics which best define religions and atheism utterly fails to even remotely match any of them.
Belief in Supernatural Beings: Few religions lack this characteristic and most religions are founded upon it. Atheism is the absence of belief in gods and thus excludes belief in gods. Atheism does not teach the existence of such beings and most atheists in the West do not believe in them.
Sacred vs Profane Objects, Places, Times: Differentiating between sacred and profane objects, places, and times helps religious believers focus on transcendental values and/or the existence of a supernatural realm. Atheism excludes believing in things that are “sacred” for the purpose of worshiping gods, but otherwise has nothing to say on the matter — neither promoting nor rejecting the distinction.
Ritual Acts Focused on Sacred Objects, Places, Times: As with the very existence of a category of “sacred” things, there is nothing about atheism which either mandates such a belief or necessarily excludes it — it’s simply an irrelevant issue.
Moral Code With Supernatural Origins: Theistic religions typically claim that morality is derived from the commands of their gods. Atheists have moral codes, but they don’t believe that those codes are derived from any gods. More importantly, atheism doesn’t teach any particular moral code.
Prayer and Other Forms of Communication: Religion instructs adherents on how to properly communicate with god(s), and considering that atheists don't believe in god(s), atheists wouldn't try to communicate with that which they don't believe exists.
A Worldview & Organization of One’s Life Based on the Worldview: Atheism doesn’t promote any one worldview. Atheists have different ideas about how to live because they have different philosophies on life. Atheism is not a philosophy or ideology, but it can be part of a philosophy, ideology, or worldview.
2007-02-20 05:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
1) Because people are deeply and truly stupid
2) In today's age rather than discuss issues reasonably and intelligently we rip the other side to shreds, make up or twist any facts to support what we don't believe, and finally we twist and pervert the language until everyone believes the word "car" refers to a form of extinct corn.
To those who say it is...here is the definition of the word "religion" since you don't seem to know what it is:
re·li·gion /
–noun. 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 .
Now since atheism says there is NO God then that disqualifies them for being a religion. This is not opinion..this is fact based on ACTUAL definitions and reality.
Saying "The WW2 Nazi's were the best friends the Jewish people ever had" has EXACTLY the same amount of truth in it as "Atheism is a religion".
2007-02-20 05:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A formal knowledge of philosophy of religion is required to completely answer this question.
The short answer is, yes, atheism can be considered a religion. Therein lies the atheist paradox. A religion looks to a higher moral authority for its beliefs and the origin of the moral code within us all. No one has to tell us murder is wrong, poking a babies eyes out is bad, etc. Yet, atheists, who claim to believe in nothing, possess a moral code. For the intellectual atheist, this moral code is a by-product of the survival of the fittest mechanisms, yet their intellectualization of this rebuttal to the paradox falls short of the philosophical mark. Philosphically, believing in a moral authority, even if it is the laws of nature, places atheists strictly within the religion camp, albeit on very shaky philosophical and theological grounds.
If you want to start a discussion at an advanced level, a starting question must define the underlying assumptions both parties are bringing to the table. Only then will the two parties be able to work through their differences. Formally, the starting point would be the following question:
What is the justification for the presuppositions informing your epistemology and ethical system?
2007-02-20 05:46:32 · answer #3 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's, at most, a religious sector. If you divide out people according to what religion they profess, atheists would fall into the "None of the above" sector.
That doesn't make it a religion, though. However, Christians like to say atheism is a religion because they like to argue that our beliefs have similar basis to theirs. It's a weak rational argument, but a stronger emotional argument and religions are good at swaying opinion through emotions.
If atheism is a religion, then bald is a hair color.
2007-02-20 05:20:29 · answer #4 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone believes in something. Atheism is a belief system, a world view, so it functions like a religion. An atheist also has faith in something; they just choose not to call it God. Not sure if you really wanted an answer to this question though because it appears your purpose was more to vent anger than engage discussion.
2007-02-20 13:22:58 · answer #5 · answered by Blessed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're confused mr r. You state your assumptions when you ask about my 'epistemology'. You are already assuming we are talking about belief. You just don't seem to get that, except for this type of intellectual banter, atheism requires no belief at all.
I do not accept that having a moral code equates to belief in a moral authority. The 'laws of nature' have no morals. You are creating a paradox that (apart perhaps within your syllabus) does not exist.
I'm afraid I am more persuaded by ZER0 C00L, despite your academic qualifications.
.
2007-02-20 07:56:37 · answer #6 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a faith is an prepared technique of human spirituality which often includes a series of narratives, symbols, ideals and practices, regularly with a supernatural or transcendent high quality, that supply meaning to the practitioner's studies of life via connection with a extra physically powerful means, God or gods, or suited fact.[a million] it relatively is expressed via prayer, ritual, meditation, music and artwork, between different issues. it could concentration on particular supernatural, metaphysical, and ethical claims approximately actuality (the cosmos and human nature) which will yield a series of religious rules, ethics, and a particular way of life. faith additionally encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, historic previous, and mythology, besides as very own faith and non secular experience. Wikipedia Atheism could be the two the rejection of theism,[a million] or the region that deities do no longer exist.[2] in the broadest sense, this is the absence of perception in the life of deities. Wikipedia
2016-10-02 11:04:07 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If atheism is a religion then i guess almost anything would then have to be classified as a religon. In that case i'm also a evolutionist, a algebraeist, a dallas cowboyeist, a new york yankeeist, and a texas longhorneist.
2007-02-20 05:31:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They confuse philosophy with theology:
"Murder is evil" Philisophy
"God says you should not kill" Theology.
One is a human thought or opinion detached from theology. The first statement is believed to be true (or false) by people for a number of different reasons. But a religious reason is not required to believe in it. Even "evil" is detached from religion because the concept of good and evil are absent from religion. The second statement sums this up: The first statement, a philisophical proclamation is given with a SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY. The statement with branded with the seal of a religion, endorsed by a religious point of view.
"I believe in God" Theology. One must adopt a Theological pose or accept religious input into decisions or viewpoints.
"I do not beleive in God" Philosophy. One chooses NOT to accept or adopt a Theological viewpoint to statements, or that tha authority with which Theology makes it's claims is invalid.
2007-02-20 05:31:33 · answer #9 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is the absence of religion. Saying it's a religion is like saying that darkness is a form of light. Rediculous.
2007-02-20 05:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋