is Atheist a religion?

Question

I would believe so as I've noticed many people keep quotes that would disprove the existence of God. As for the scriptures, it still holds to this day

Answer 1

There are no blinders on atheists, as opposed to religious dogma that theist are bound by. I read about some interesting studies by scientists of the temporal lobe regions that are 'mis-firing' or giving off 'unbalanced' neuroligical signals. Some of the studies are intrigueing, they can duplicate 'religious experiences' in blind tests of humans.

It was already known that the more primitive limbic system of our brains contain the raw emotion where our religious beliefs spring forth. The development of the cerebral cortex (or the thinking and rational part of the brain) is only a recent development in humans, say the last 40,000-100,000 years. Religious zealots find their beliefs in the limbic system while atheists find their reality in the cerebral cortex.

It is also well known that the 'god-gene' (for lack of a better description) is triggered during times of duress, high anxiety, near death or starvation, and other high emotional episodes. It was our survival instinct that developed this so-called god-gene. Now, scientists can atificially trigger that response under laboratory conditions by narrowing the focus to the temporal regions of the brain. Further studies are being conducted to study this gene and its effect on our development as a species.

The bottom line in answer to your question, there's a scientific reason for the irrational belief system as well as the more logical "belief" system.....ie, atheism is not a religion.

Answer 2

According to Dictionary.com there are 6 definitions of religion.
1. 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.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience:

The only one of those definitions that Atheism fits is the last one, even with that one only some atheists (e.g. Richard Dawkins and P.Z. Myers) would actually meet that definition. So Athiesm can be a religon, but is not one in itself.

Answer 3

No, an Atheist is a person. You don't need a God to tell you that, your English teacher can do it as well.

Of course the scriptures holds. They keep changing it like that time with Galileo. It's as though it's almost like Wikipedia. If it doesn't stick, they alter it till it does. That's why it's full of conflicting inconsistencies. Go over your scriptures for yourself and ask yourself if that is not true.

Answer 4

My definition, no

One who has formed an active belief that there are no gods. This term differs from agnosticism which asserts no knowledge of gods and therefore concludes there are no reasons to believe in them or not to believe in them. Atheism is just as active a religious system as is Islam, Christianity or Hinduism. The difference is that the atheist belief system falls on the opposite pole of the spectrum from those religions in that it is a negative rather than a positive belief.

Answer 5

I do not at all understand your reasoning for thinking it is a religion.

My answer, as an atheist, is no. It is not a religion. It is simply a statement of disbelief in a higher power.

Edit: Nanno, there really are strict atheists. Honestly. We don't believe in any sort of higher power. That does not mean we don't believe in love etc. But if you are under the misapprehension that deep down we do believe in a god then you need to reevaluate your position. Sorry.

Answer 6

If atheism helps u lead ur life better, if it guides u thru, if it can console u in ur helplessness, if it makes u a better person...........and a lot more, then atheism can be made a religion.

Because that's what a religion offers you with.

But what happens is when all this occurs u can never deny God, that some special power whose presence you feel in ur most luckiest day.

Answer 7

Atheism entails, minimally, the disbelief in the existence of any deities. It is contrasted with theism, the belief in a God or gods. Atheism is commonly defined as the positive belief that deities do not exist, or as the deliberate rejection of theism. However, others define atheism as the simple absence of belief in deities(cf. nontheism), thereby designating all agnostics, and people who have never heard of gods, such as newborn children, as atheists as well. In recent years, some atheists have adopted the terms strong and weak atheism to clarify whether they consider their stance one of positive belief (strong atheism) or the mere absence of belief (weak atheism).

Answer 8

It is a religious standpoint, just as skepticism is a philosophical attitude.

Existence is not an issue. The concept of universal mind is too big for the concept of existence. Existence (beyond our familiar surroundings) is a shaky category at best.

Answer 9

It's a belief system, and someone can believe it as strongly as a theist can believe in God. But there's no organized structure, or a single way that you can be atheist, or any rituals or traditions, so because of that I would not consider it a religion.

Answer 10

i dont think that there are any atheists existing,everybody believes in something,
even if you dont believe in any religion,dogma,of the learning of the existing religions,that dus not mean that the so called atheist , believes in absolutely notting.
even so called atheists,making up there minds sometimes about our existence on this planet.