Why are Atheists in denial about their religion?

Question

Religion
–noun
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices ( as in Atheist conventions and gatherings, thereby making it a 'religious' activity)
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly;
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion

How many times have Atheists proved that they are devoted, strict in their faith, NOT of a God, but in that they say there is no God, and express it consistently like a dogma? How much more reason would I need to think that it wasn't a religion? They have their religious gatherings, they have their way set like it's true. Even though they don't really know if there is a God, merely the belief that there is no God, and they commit acts of faith daily here, by saying that there is no God. That's a religious ( look at number 6.) devotion enacted.

Please scientifically, without emotion, consider the arguement.

Why the problem with admitting it?

truthspeaker10,
They believe in religion. That's not the question. They say they deny the existence of God. God is different than religion.

glitterkittyy,
A fencewalker is no surprise to me! lol

countbehavior,
Sure, many things could be called a religion, or a religious activity by this definition. You've got a good brain on you.

brother_nigel,
But a belief and an adhearance to it. Devotion to it and faith in it. You forgot that part of the list?

Eleventy,
by the 6th and 8th definition, yes.

Father Guido,
Thank you.

Torquemada,
Thank you.

OG,
Yes they can be that. Thank you.

khalabra,
By the second definition, I would agree. Not by the first. But that doesn't make the whole thing untrue. Do you see where I am going with this?

Answer 1

using that logic, then wouldn't political parties be considered religions?

more: sports teams, those who support sports teams, teachers at a school, support groups, etc.

doesn't make much sense to me, and I do not believe any of the above examples, including atheists, fit the description of being a religion.

Answer 2

You use the word dogma to imply that atheism is a religion. However, there are other definitions of the word dogma that are not religious.

Dogma: 1. A doctrine or a corpus of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner by a church. (believers)
2. An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true. See Synonyms at doctrine. (atheists and believers)

see also doctrine.. notice that religious is separated from philosophic by a comma and the word "or":
1. A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
2. A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.
3. A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.
4. Archaic Something taught; a teaching.


Therefore, if the word dogma can exist outside of religious belief, and you insist on the use of the word dogma in relation to atheists, it still does not substantiate your claim in the least.

And so atheists have conventions. Do you call the conventions of the political parties or Star Trek conventions religious gatherings?

As to your definition #6, I am not "devoted" to atheism. My stance on atheism, similar to my stance on science, can change based upon new and *compelling* evidence.

The problem in admitting that atheism is a religion is that I prefer honesty. I would be lying were I to admit to something that is not true.

Answer 3

Yawn.

I went to a digital photography exposition a few months ago, does that make me a digital photographist? We all probably went to school, does that make us all schoolists? Digital photographism and schoolism are no more religions than atheism is.

"something one believes in and follows devotedly"

Atheism is not about belief. Evolution is not something that has to be believed in. This is because it is possible we will find evidence that would be contrary to evolution. If that evidence were found, a new model would have to be developed to replace evolution. Our model for how we got here would simply change to the new model. That doesn't sound like us "following devotedly" or "strict faithfulness" for that matter.

In contrast, religion is about belief. The existance of god cannot be disproven logically, making it a logical fallacy. A theist could not even imagine what kind of evidence would need to be required in order to disprove God, because no such evidence could possibly exist. This is not a virtue of religion, it is an example of its fallacy. This is what requires belief, devotion and strict faithfulness.

Answer 4

Anthropologically, a religion is two things put together:

1. A myth, that is, a story that interrelates man, nature, and the divine. A myth is often, but not always, considered by the religion that holds it to be literally true, though it may be understood metaphorically.

2. A code of ethics, usually based on the myth.


Atheism, in the anthropological sense, has neither of these. It has no unifying myth (and no, evolution doesn't count -- there are atheists who do not believe in evolution), nor does it have a single code of ethics.

Given a choice between the dictionary definition, which is influenced by distinction between connotations and denotations, and a scientific definition which is precise and devoid of connotation, I'll pick the scientific definition every time.

Atheism is not a religion.

Answer 5

It's not a matter of admitting it, it's a matter of a correction of a fallacious logic. You use the word "faith" to apply to Atheists in a way that it does not. The emotion derived from this is from the exasperation of constantly having to correct a fundamental error about a position one holds. Atheist conventions are no more religious gatherings than comic book conventions. Sure, they all really enjoy comics, but it's simply not a religion. Atheists do not have one doctrine, nor one set of beliefs. Atheists differ on many points, some are spiritualists, others skeptics and rationalists. No one doctrine applies to them. No atheist is "devout." This is strictly a religious term, non-applicable. One cannot "believe" in atheism, any more than one can "believe" in the world is not made of pudding-ism. No atheist that I've ever heard has used the word faith for their non belief in God. They merely say "There is no reason to believe in a God or gods." This is the opposite of a faith claim, claiming to have no faith (here faith is defined as believing in something without sufficient evidence or in spite of counterevidence).

Atheism isn't a religion, any more than zen buddhism is. Zen is a philosophy, but it is an experientially based way of conducting one's self. Atheism is way too broad for the analogy to fit perfectly, but the parallels are there. Atheism encompasses a number of philosophies, but no one unifiying dogma.

Answer 6

1. Many other atheists don't share the same beliefs I do regarding the reasons for existence. My beliefs are not the result of my atheism.

According to you your religion must be lack of belief in Thor. Does that make any sense at all?

2. Further My beliefs are not based on faith but on reason and evidence.

Answer 7

I have often wondered the same thing.
Disbelief is still a belief. If you say I believe in nothing then you claim a belief. the belief is in the absence of what another claims. A person may believe in a thing, know a thing or not believe. They do not ignore the thing obviously since they comment on it perpetually. They do not know the thing is not real since it cannot be disproved. Since they truly believe it is not real they are expressing faith in their disbelief. Faith is belief without factual foundation.
An agnostic may not be religious but a hardcore atheist is just as devoted to their religion as a pious priest..

Answer 8

If you insist on viewing it that way, fine.

Either way, I left Christianity because of the distorted view of the world necessary to maintain the illusion, the blinders (like yours) that you have to wear to prevent you from realizing that there are other perspectives, and yours may be the one that is wrong, the denial of our real history to focus on a false history that includes only the Church in Europe and then traces itself back to the Judean desert and then Mesopotamia. That is not my history or anyone else's for that matter.

I don't miss the lies and distortions. I can read a science journal without the nagging feeling that someone is lying to me.The article may be wrong, and it will be shown to be true or false in due time, but the degree of deliberate deception that permeates all religion is pleasantly absent.

Answer 9

I'll admit Atheism is a religion when you admit churches are a tavern:

1. a place where liquors are sold to be consumed on the premises.
2. a public house for travelers and others

Definition one of a tavern clearly does not match a church, just as definition one of religion doesn't define an atheist convention, but definition two matches it perfectly. Cherry picking the evidence and definitions that support your pre-decided opinion/bias is not grounds for being taken seriously.
Peace,

Answer 10

Like most Theists you seem addicted to the practice of quote mining. In this case you have chosen three lines out of the entry and disregarded the rest of it. That is an exceptionally dishonest practice, but a good example of how religion operates.
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Here is the complete entry.

re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 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: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.
—Idiom9. get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.



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[Origin: 1150–1200; ME religioun (< OF religion) < L religiōn- (s. of religiō) conscientiousness, piety, equiv. to relig(āre) to tie, fasten (re- re- + ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely]

—Related forms
re·li·gion·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source re·li·gion (rĭ-lĭj'ən) Pronunciation Key
n.

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

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You are a total liar and fraud Mr Tube Root!
That is a simple honest and true statement.

Answer 11

Atheists don't want to admit that there is a higher "being" or God up there who is controlling their life.
They want to be in complete control of their lives.
Some don't like the fact that you cannot take the worldly treasures into heaven.
I am a Christian, by the way.

I also thought that atheists had no religion and firmly believes that there is no God or believes in nothing.