Athiest a religion ?

Question

We all know that Religion is define as a believe passed down through generations through a set of rules and laws depending on the culture of its origin.

Christians worship god and therefore known as a Religion.
Muslims worship Allah and therefore known as a Religion.

However, The Buddhist who doesn't worship God is categorize as a Religion. Why ?

Athiest is not a religion but it believes that there is no God. or there is no need to believe or worship God.

So why isn't Athiest be categorize as a religion if Buddhism too doesn't worship any particular God ?

If Athiest is a way of life than how come Buddhism is a religion instead of a way of life ?

Again, If believe in something like "There is no God" means that you have a belief and you belief there is no God.

Wouldn't that make your belief a Religion too ? If religion was a candy bar .. it would be easier to be describe because you hold a candy bar even if you call yourself an Athiest. Because you Believe.

You all gave me enough points to make a few assumptions (not conclusion).

Regardless of how many times you try to prove that Athiest isn't a religion.

There are a few things you should realize by now.

I lost count on how many times you all mentioned "Athiest do not have a set of religious belief or practice"

Doesn't that imply that "Athiest are people who do not believe in following a set of rules and practise" ?

Again, "Athiest do not believe in the existance of God".

If you look at this statement closely you will realise this .

"Athiest are people who believe that there is no God".

Notice how this contrarary happens when we least notice it?

If you perform or live a life believing in what you believe. which is there is no god. Than it would eventually evolve when everyone who shares the same believe that there is no good.

SO basically it becomes a "religion" because more then 1 person shares the same feeling and believe .

Edit *

"...If you perform or live a life believing in what you believe. which is there is no god. Than it would eventually evolve when everyone who shares the same believe that there is no god..."

Mistype God as Good.

In addition , Buddhism doesn't worship meditation. Infact anyone can perform meditation.

Meditation doesn't mean that you have to sit down and close your eyes and do your mojo.

No, As long as you keep yourself aware of your actions, thoughts, believes, and your own emotions. That is meditation in brief.

You keep yourself aware that the things you do and the things you are going to do. Which is why it is called "self awareness".

A muslim , christian, anyone can be doing a meditation . While praying , as you read your prayers ... you think carefully and you read carefully ... that's meditation. Because you are aware of your actions.

Buddhism doesn't worship anyone or anything in specific. Infact Buddhism teaches one simple thing.

Be self dependent. Because you can't expect anything from the "divine" and end up depending on it to live. We have to stand on our feet to stand up. Sit when we have to and run when we need to.

This is Buddhism Isn't it Similar to Athiest?

According to Aurora's post.

“If atheism is a religion, then bald is a hair color” ~Mark Schnitzius

Good Quote. However doesn't that simple imply that "You (individuals) will only believe in what you believe."?

If Bald is a hair color ... I think you can put it this way .

If there is no hair

what is bald?

if there is no color

what is red green blue etc ?

Because there is hair (People) and there are colours (believes). That is how you can tell if one is bald or not.

Agree ?

In Buddhist scriptures

"The heart suttra"

Nothingness is the greatest achievement.

Nirvana = nothingness

Nothingness = Free from the worldly cycle of life and death.

If there are people who believes in nothingness anf that they will eventually die and rot . Then it would also be a religion because they all believe that when they die ... they will return to earth as nutrients to the plants, soil and food for the birds/scavengers.

Because you Believe in nothing, that makes you a believer in something which is Nothing.

You hold a chocolate candy but you say it's not a candy. The truth still remains that it is a candy only of a different flavour.

Agree?

Answer 1

An interesting point.

A dictionary may define religion as
+ 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

Using this definition Atheism is not a religion.

An interesting question would be if Atheism is not a religion then is it protected by the freedom of religion guarenteed by the United States Constitution?

The Catholic Church however would include Atheism in religious freedom because she seeks and supports religious freedom for all human beings even if it is a religion of one.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

I personally think Atheists are people of great faith.

They believe the entire wonderful universe came into being all by itself from the smallest subatomic particle to the most immense galaxy and from the amazing complexity of the human mind to the love between a mother and child.

I find it much easier to believe that an all powerful and all loving God is behind it all.

I do not have enough faith to be an Atheist.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Atheism has no dogma, rules, or particular leaders that are followed.

Atheists come in all stripes and sizes; there are conservative, liberal, libertarian, and authoritarian atheists. There are no atheist beliefs in reincarnation or karma, for example, like Buddhists. SOME atheists might believe in such things, but those beliefs are not part of atheism.

Atheism is NOT a belief in "There is no god," atheism is a LACK of belief in the statement "There is a god" (or gods). The difference is a matter of logic; while some atheists do indeed make the claim they can prove god A or B does not exist, that claim is not universal nor required to qualify as an atheist.

BTW, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Atheist Alliance International. Of course, there is no requirement to join a group to be an atheist, but I do have familiarity with more atheists than the average person.

Answer 3

No, atheism is not a religion. \Theism has to do with religion (any religion), it's laws/rules, dieties, practices, beliefs, afterlife, etc. The prefix "a" means without.

Atheism has no dieties to worship, no rituals, no practices, and no specific tenets, laws or rules dictating behavior/morality, etc., no belief sin, no concept of afterlife, no spirituality, no belief in the soul, etc.

Therefore, atheism is only a belief. It would only be a religion if there were religious rituals, worshipping of dieties, etc.

As far as Buddhism goes, it is classified as a religion because it has religious rituals such as praying and meditating, concept of afterlife and reincarnation (therefore a belief in the human soul), enlightenment and nirvana, and has rules/tenets by which to live. Atheism has none of these things, only a belief that there is no god--any god/dieties from all religions, not just Christianity.

Answer 4

It's not a religion, it's a philosophy. You could call lots of things religion that remain the same for a long period of time, but we are against religions that worship gods and believe in the supernatural and an afterlife with heaven or hell. That's quite different. You can call it a religion all you want, but in no way does you calling it that make us part of an organized group that worships and prays to gods.

“If atheism is a religion, then bald is a hair color” ~Mark Schnitzius

atheist

The Atheist Bible, it could be said, has but one word: "THINK." - Emmett Fields

Answer 5

Religion by definition is "Demonstration of Faith" not a set of rules and beliefs sent down through generations. That is an assumption on your part. Organized religion is a group of people who demonstrate the same faith, the same way. Atheists, though they dont believe in a god or Higher Power, demonstrate their faith in this idea, and thus, are a religion all their own. They do as they wish, whether it be good or bad on the basis of their faith that "this is all there is"

They are much like any other religion, generally speaking of course... that they (many, not all) want to share their lack of belief in God with others in hopes that more people will stop believing in God. They generally have 1 idea of how life came to be ie. Evolution, everything happened by chance. They read books by other Atheists and quote them not unlike how a Christian will quote the Bible. They (again, many not all) assume that everyone who doesn't see it their way is an idiot and only they think logically.

Yes, Atheism is a demonstration of faith (religion)

Answer 6

Buddahism is an organized belief. They practice a set of rules and beliefs.
Atheism is the lack of belief in the here-after. Whether through reincarnation or or a trip to heaven.
Atheists are not an organized group of people who reject superstition. We are simply people who do not believe in the supernatural. We have no organization or connection - - not even an interest in each other.
If you need a clear understanding of what an Atheist is, take any person ( it could be yourself ), clear out any and all beliefs in anything not of the natural world. There's an Atheist.

Answer 7

"We all know that Religion is define as a believe passed down through generations through a set of rules and laws depending on the culture of its origin."


What set of rules and laws do you think you have to follow to be an atheist? There are none. Don't believe in god(s) and you're an atheist. It's that simple. Why do so many people have a hard time understanding that?

Answer 8

I like this!

It's becoming more prevalent that the definition of a "religion" is a persons way of life due to how various beliefs are springing up inside and outside christendom.
Ironically enough, some christians are more atheist than christian because some beliefs cannot be fully supported from scriptures.

Answer 9

As you say, religion is defined as belief which is passed down through rules and laws of its origin.

We atheists have no universal principles, no guidelines. We're all different in all aspects except for not believing in a god.

Answer 10

More importantly, the point of religion is to spread some sort of Truth, which atheists are constantly trying to get across as any other conventional "religious" type. They also believe in God, which is why they constantly question Him instead of, say, Allah, Vishnu, Buddah, or any other non-Judeo-Christian diety.

Yes, atheism is a religion since all they have to go on is faith.


As for Buddhism, that's a religion because it's following the teachings of one single man, rather like how Christianity (as opposed to Judaism, both of which follow the same God) specifically follows the teachings of Christ.