Religion is defined this way (notice especially definition #4):
re·li·gion (r-ljn)
n.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
This is the definition of "Belief": belief - any cognitive content held as true...
Based on definition #4 of religion and the definition of belief, how is it that Atheism is not a religion or belief?
It appears that Denial is not only a river in Egypt....LOL!
2007-07-10 15:34:35 · 28 answers · asked by Christian Sinner 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those of you who are missing 1-3, stop making excuses. All the definitions do not have to apply, only one of them. Read a dictionary sometime.
2007-07-10 15:42:07 · update #1
"IF" you use definition #4 as a rule of what "religion" is, then you are correct in asserting that atheism is a religion. Also, using definition #4 to define religion, you could assert that "anything" can be described as a religion when one pursues anything with zeal or conscientious devotion. Atheism is a natural inclination to all humans, when using only the natural mind to try and explore all facets of our being as humans who are part of this vast planet and solar system we live upon. However, it is not with the natural mind that one knows Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of those of the household of faith; and one can not conjure up anything with the natural mind to allow them to be a true believer in Jesus Christ; any person having Christ within has been first given the superimplantation within of the Spirit of Christ, i.e., no human can think, say or do anything with their natural mind to think/study upon Spiritual matters of Christ: they must first have this Spiritual conception, Spiritual gestation, and Spiritual birth given them without them doing or saying anything to get them.
Hoyt D. F. Sparks
2007-07-11 01:02:35 · answer #1 · answered by hoytsparks2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The definition #4. "A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion" applies to a number of groups, individuals and companies without any religious pretentions. Such as: football teams, politicians, firefighters, policemen, volunteers of the Red Cross, employees of the month, Star Trek fans and Avon ladies...
Atheism is a disbelief, not a belief. Either that there is no god or that the existence of god has yet to be proven (that all religions are flawed, therefor wrong in their way to say: "We have the One True Path")
Atheism is not a religion. It is a philosophy and a theory. Unlike religion, it does not proclaims to have the answer to God (unless you are an "explicit atheist"). It does not try to recruit, it states that the existence of God cannot be proven scientifically and that the proofs provided by any religion are doubtfull at best.
Atheists are not organised, therefor, there is no "unified atheist doctrine". Some are more "concerned" about the "lies" of organised religions, but it is an infinite fraction of the adherents of this theory. Most atheists simply never discuss religion, because they are not religious people, it holds no importance to them.
2007-07-10 15:51:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just flagrantly copied someone else's question.
Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty.
You eliminated the rest of the definitions that define religion.
That was a form of dishonesty.
1.a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
I will cite my previous answer:
"By this definition, atheism is a religion in the way that football is a religion. Your semantic deception fails, since although the word religion meets the criteria for 4, it fails in others. As for the definition of belief, the football scores qualify. If atheism is a religion, religions are no more important than football."
It is impressive that you used dishonest means to invalidate your religion.
2007-07-10 15:54:22 · answer #3 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK. If you want to put it that way, then your non-belief in Santa Claus is a religion. Your non-belief in the tooth fairy is a religion.
According to that definition, my religion is music, literature, and motherhood. Atheism is not my religion, I wouldn't say that it's something I pursue with zeal or conscientious devotion. In my daily life the fact that I don't believe in a deity is no more of an issue than your not believing in Santa Claus is an issue to you that you pursue with zeal or conscientious devotion.
And "belief" really isn't a proper word to describe atheism simply because atheism is the LACK of a belief in deities. Believers are the one with "content" that they hold as true. Atheists simply don't buy into the same things that believers do.
2007-07-10 16:00:20 · answer #4 · answered by Jess H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't. There are no beliefs in atheism- atheism is the LACK of a single belief. If you want to call atheism a religion, then you have to call all the other nonbeliefs a religion. I guess now not believing in unicorns is a religion. Not believing in Santa is a religion. And bald is a haircolor, and not collecting stamps is a hobby.
2016-05-19 00:59:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with your implication, there's a reason why others wouldn't. Or why it doesn't matter...
The definitions you left out refer to religion as a system of beliefs about a deity or deities. That's the commonly understood definition of religion. Under that definition, atheism could be called areligionism. That is, it's the LACK of religion.
On the other hand, atheism is a belief about deity -- that there isn't one.
I could also argue that it doesn't matter. Atheists aren't saying they have nothing they feel strongly about, just that they don't believe there is a god or gods. So they might accept your label of "religion" for what they believe, but would argue that it causes unnecessary confusion because it implies a belief about deity.
If I say I'm a Cubs fan, you could argue that I'm a White Sox fan, too, because I'm "fanatic" about my disaproval of the Sox. It doesn't really add to the discussion to try to make that claim, though.
2007-07-10 15:36:46 · answer #6 · answered by Craig R 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How convenient for you to disregard the first three definitions. If you insist on calling Atheism a religion, you'll be using that connotation of "religion" in the wrong context.
Besides, what good does it do you to call Atheism a religion? If it's an insult, then what does that say about Christianity?
2007-07-10 15:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by Brent L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Google this, my dear sweet seeker: Atheism: An Introduction to Atheism. Oh, and de Nile is a river in Egypt! LOL!
2007-07-10 15:51:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOME pursue it with greater zeal than some that have been in a religion all their life! Personally I don't care what you believe in or don't believe in. As long as you have an opinion and a voice to say your stance on a subject like religion, I am happy for you. I have never tried to force my religion on someone and never will. I won't force them if they won't force me! Call it a truce!
2007-07-10 15:40:36 · answer #9 · answered by The Helper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in fact atheism is a belief. But they prefer not to called believers, because they do not like to be compared with people who believe in a god.
The truth is that there is no proof by reason to god existence or non-existence. So the only true proof of god or no-god is about personal experience, and experiences of other people.
2007-07-10 15:40:28 · answer #10 · answered by Alder_Fiter_Galaz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋