This has been asked before and I'm going to ask it again.
If atheists believe that Atheism is not a religion then why do they bother to debate, fight, insult, and persecute people in the Religion/Spirituality section?
Religion = a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe
It is in fact a religion by this definition. So please stop lieing and acknowledge the facts. Which you seem to eager to say to others but not yourselves.
2007-03-14 14:31:28 · 14 answers · asked by Alien51 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why doesn't anyone read before answering? The definition:
a set of beliefs CONCERNING the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe
Notice that big word in caps Deirdre H. And my definition is not flawed, you just think it is because you have your own which is different from that of the truth Georgie. And true copperbean, Atheism is the belief of the disbelief of God. And believeing that your 'religion' would have to have your spaces already filled in.
Cause (Why did it happen?)=No reason
Nature (What made it?)=Nothing
Purpose (Why is it here?)=No reason
I got the definition from www.dictionary.com
2007-03-14 14:57:10 · update #1
where did you get that definition of religion? Under this I do not think atheism would necessarily would qualify as a religion. While I do think it can be agreed most atheist possess a belief about the cause and "nature" of the universe, I don't think an atheist would say the universe has a purpose. This is fundamentally 'religous' and not (though it could be in some cases) atheist.
2007-03-14 14:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Atheism", by the simple definition of the word, is the answer to your question.
"A" means non; "the" means a God and an "ism" is a belief.
Therefore, it means that adherents are non-believers in God.
This is not a Religion, which is as you correctly point out, is a set of beliefs. Religion comes with a set of doctrines and rituals to which believers adhere. Atheists run a mile from doctrines and rituals which are religious.
There is just as much debate, fight, insult and persecution from the Christians who appear on here...in fact, probably more! At least the Atheists don't berate the followers of Islam for being wrong, as most (try hard / wanna be) Christians are wont to do...
btw. I'm a Buddhist, so I have no real attachment to what you're saying. I'm simply trying to offer a little education and enlightenment...
Georgie...you say that: A religion involves worshipping a devine being that one cannot see. And making up rules about the being and then trying to impose them on others through various laws and practices (abortion, contraception, woman's dress, circumcision, etc, etc).
Buddhism is a religion. However, it does none of what you say. There is no "divine being" - we all posess "Buddhanature"; Buddhists DO NOT impose their views upon others and we have practices which are intensely personal and are all about taking responsibility for ALL actions. Just thought you'd like to know....
Love and Light,
Jarrah
2007-03-14 21:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by jarrah_fortytwo 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Atheism is a religion.
Saying that it is not a religion because they believe in the absence of religion is retarded, and here is why.
Zero is a real number- correct? yet zero has no value, it does hold a place on the number line. Anything with a quantity of zero, although it has nothing in it still exists. Empty space provides an example of place where there isn't any matter. Even the name space suggests a void where nothing exists, but none can argue that space exists. The state of being where there is no value of anything is itself a value.
What I'm trying to say throughout all of this gibberish, is that Atheism is just like the number zero. They believe in nothing, just like zero holds no value- but zero is still a real number, just as Atheism is a religion. The fact that they don't believe in a God(s), is a belief in itself. The state of being dead is still a state of being-even though your functional purpose you no longer perform. That is why Atheism is a religion, but it is a hollow religion with nothing to support it because they believe in nothing.
2007-03-15 19:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by Zsanctified1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is considered a religion based on the original idea/definition of religion.
But to be honest, most people don't even know what the word religion implies. The common, and wrong, idea of religion would not apply to Atheism.
For something (anything, a Mountain Dew bottle, for instance) to be considered a religion, it requires for the 4 Cs:
Creed
Cultus
Code
Community
You have those, and you have a religion. Belief in a supreme being is not needed.
Wow, from reading some of these responses, it's pretty obvious that the average person has absolutely no clue what 'religion' is. I know because I have an extensive background in theology, but I should also expect others who concern themselves with it to know also.
A religion requires no belief in anything supernatural, paranormal, or out of the ordinary. No "God" or "Supreme Being" is needed. While most do have these aspects, it does not apply to the strictest meaning of the word.
Again, a religion can revolve around anything.
Please, please, please educate yourself before you go around spouting nonsense and falsehoods. This applies to just about everyone answering this.
To be honest, if you don't have any formal education in theology, I suggest you just hush up.
I'm Atheist, btw. Don't get it twisted.
2007-03-14 21:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by Blue 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I'm not an atheist, but the problem here is the fact that atheism is not a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe - atheism merely states that god does not exist, no why's or wherefore's about the universe.
Where did you get this obviously fallacious definition anyway? By that definition, science qualifies as religion...
2007-03-14 21:37:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your definition of a religion is flawed. A religion involves worshipping a devine being that one cannot see. And making up rules about the being and then trying to impose them on others through various laws and practices (abortion, contraception, woman's dress, circumcision, etc, etc). I think that is where most athiests find the problem.
I am not an athiest btw.
**********Addition**********
I JUST READ THE DEFINITION YOU MENTIONED FROM DICTIONARY.COM, YOU SEEM TO HAVE EDITED IT DOWN SOMEWHAT. FOR THOSE INTERESTED, THE FULL VERSION IS AS FOLLOWS:
"RELIGION: 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."
AS FAR AS I AM AWARE AN ATHIEST IS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD AND NOTHING MORE. HOW CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED AN ENTIRE RELIGION, AS DESCRIBED BY THE DICTIONARY.COM DEFINITION? I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF FATHER CHRISTMAS (SORRY KIDS) IS THIS A RELIGION ALSO???
AS THE DEFINITION ON DICTIONARY.COM (YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE?) STATES:
a·the·ist –noun a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.
2007-03-14 21:38:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Show me which dictionary you got that definition from.
In fact, religion is belief in a supernatural being, or a system of beliefs and worship suggestive of such.
Atheists don't worship ... anything. The main reason they debate is because they have an ALTERNATIVE to religion. Religion directly contradicts their view of the universe, and is therefore antithetical to atheism. Opposites are measured against each other.
Even in your definition, you reference "purpose of the universe". Atheists believe that the universe has NO purpose; it simply is, so even by your definition, atheism is not a religion.
2007-03-14 21:39:09 · answer #7 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
There is some irony there. The prefix a means without and theism is the belief in God (religion). So by definition they are without religion, yet you're right, they passionately preach their belief in disbelief. I don't know if I've seen very many missionary efforts that are greater than theirs.
2007-03-14 21:39:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Atheism is most definitely a religion. In fact, there are many atheistic religions. People who are saying that it's not have no clue what they're talking about.
2007-03-14 21:35:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
Ah, but if it was truly a religion, they would have something to worship and they would have texts and meetings and there would have to be some kind of afterlife, what's religion without an afterlife?
They have their science and logic, yes, but I would not say they worship those things... *can't recall seeing any of her Athiest friends in school kneeling in front of their physics books*
2007-03-14 21:37:32 · answer #10 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋