2007-05-04 22:04:30 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And an antagonistic one at that?
2007-05-04 22:05:25 · update #1
No, they don't. Look for the antagonism in your own question.
2007-05-04 22:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by novangelis 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
First of all, to be fair and balanced, aren't all religions antagonistic?
I mean, they've got to rub someone up the wrong way, at some point.
As for atheism being a religion, I think not.
Think of Theology. It's a study, an intellectual exercise, not a religion. I figure atheism is the same. It's about learning, intellectual exercise.
Well, that's what I figure, anyway.
Atheism couldn't, wouldn't qualify as a religion for the simple fact that atheists are incapable of being organised into a group, as per the terms of Religion. They're too busy holding opinions and being 'free thinkers' to ever have the discipline to stick to a dogma.
They suffer the same weakness as the religious - both looking for an answer, but from different ends of the street, both firmly convinced that they are right. And neither taking the time to listen to the other.
As I said, though, that's just my opinion.
2007-05-05 05:14:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to answer a question with another question, but what exactly do you mean by religion? There are many definitions. I would list some of them here, but I'm better off referring you to the wikipedia page.
If you see religion as "an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix", then yes, atheism can definately be seen as compatible with religion.
2007-05-05 05:17:59 · answer #3 · answered by zacchaeus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion: Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
Atheism: The doctrine that there is no God or gods.
So, no. It takes more than lots of people expounding the same doctrine to make a religion. That's why Hinduism is a religion, while the conviction that Honda makes reliable cars is not.
2007-05-05 05:09:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Er, that makes no sense at all.
Since I've come here, I've learned that believers are frantic to convince themselves that there are no real atheists. It's pretty obvious what's going on - most of the believers here have at least an inkling of the fact that they've held onto belief in children's fairy tales far longer than they should. They're trying to convince themselves that everyone made the same mistake.
Atheists are not responsible for your childish decision.
2007-05-05 05:09:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In order to be a religion there has to be dogma.Last time I checked no Atheist follows any pattern of doctrine and rather each one leaves it up to him or her self to decide what is true for that individual rather then follow a herd of sheep into a place of worship so that they can be told what to believe.
2007-05-05 05:17:05 · answer #6 · answered by Tobeornottobe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atheists don't believe that there is a man living in a cloud. How can anyone turn that into a religion?
2007-05-05 05:13:03 · answer #7 · answered by liberty11235 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is lack of religion. No belief in any diety. No religion. No dogma.
No
2007-05-05 05:10:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm a chemist. Does that mean I can't go to the literature section? I would discuss novels, not reactions.
2007-05-05 12:37:53 · answer #9 · answered by Phil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
atheism is not a religion
2007-05-05 06:40:07 · answer #10 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is you who are demonstrating your inability with the English language. What is your mother tongue?
2007-05-05 11:06:06 · answer #11 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋