People who say that atheism is a religion?

Question

If you consider atheism to be a religion in and of itself, then do you also consider theism to be a religion in itself?

And how do you account for people like me who have a religion, but are atheists? I'm a non-theistic Pagan. Do I have two religions, then? And many Buddhists are also non-theistic.

Can we please agree that lack of belief does not a religion make? Otherwise I'm lableing all of you non-FSMists. Because you lack belief in His Noodly Goodness.

If you've never said it, why are you answering? Lol. *hugs*

Ok, since I've apparently confused people. Theism=belief in deity/deities. Atheism=lack of belief in deities. Also called non-theism. It is the absense of belief.

That being said. I'm a Pagan. I have a religion, and it involves strong beliefs as to the nature of humanity and the meaning of life, etc.

But I do not credit any supernatural beings with "creation" or with activities which would clearly defy the physical laws of the universe. Simply put, I have never witnessed or "had a feeling" that would cause me to believe in the above activities or beings. I do not worship any gods. Ergo, I am an atheist.

I do not consider athiesm to be a religion, any more that I would say that theism is a religion. Theism is a belief in god(s). There are many kinds of theists, who are in religions. But no one claims that theism is a religion. Why then do people claim atheism is?

Answer 1

Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair style.

Answer 2

As as wise person once said, "Philosophy is questions without answers. Religion is answers you mustn't question."

In a room filled with 100 average people there are going to be some who are religious, some who are atheists, and many who fall somewhere in between. But you can divide the room easily into two distinct parts: those who believe something supernatural (the religious folks), and those who don't (the others.)

Given that any supernatural claim will require spectacular evidence, it's safe to say that the burden of proof is on the religious folks, and not the other way around. They are the ones who make a single exception in their otherwise rational lives and believe in something for which there cannot be any proof. These people are theists, and their faith cannot be proven true by definition: if you have proof you don't need faith.

You are correct. Atheism is simply a rejection of theistic/religious dogma. Lack of faith is no more a religion than any other belief system which rejects heresay and mythology.

Consider this: Most people alive today reject the idea that there is a god named Thor who makes thunder. Does this rejection of a primitive, quaint, historical god constitute religion?

Or is it just common sense?

Answer 3

This crap comes from the same people who claim that Atheism requires more faith than their infinitely mystical and powerful big brother like dictator of the sky, the same people think discussing our lack of belief in religion or spirituality, isn't discussing religion and spirituality, they actually think our questions don't belong here.

I ask them this, go to the cat section and ask "Why do you have a Cat" and then ask "Why don't you have a Cat". The latter wouldn't really be expected to be asked due to not expecting somebody without a cat to be in the cat section,

However the religious section is more political, example a political question "Why are you against the free market" and "Why do you support the free market", are very similar to "Why do you hold a religious belief" and "Why do you not have a religious belief", because both sides in their opinion have an equally valid point to make,



Kathy H - "So in other words for you, your belief is more then one god, and you are pagan in faith" - We do not believe in any god, we have a disbelief and/or lack of belief in any or all Gods, I suggest as well as reading a dictionary you understand it.

Atheism is not a "system" or a "set of beliefs based on faith", it is the sharing of a disbelief or the sharing of being without belief in any and all gods, and even if it had only the slightest of evidence, (if my maths don't fail me) slight shred > 0 = atheism requires no faith at all.

PS "an athesit has the faith and a belief that there is no god." - I don't have FAITH that you are an Idiot, I BELIEVE IT based on the evidence you have presented in the form of senseless arguments, so again evidence > 0 = I don't need faith to BELIEVE you are an Idiot.

ForeverSet - "BELIEVER OF SELF" - There is a difference between faith and belief, I suggest you learn it, I believe your argument makes no sense based on the evidence provided by logic, yet again evidence prevails against faith

Answer 4

A religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people. Wikipedia. That might make atheism a religion.

I don't think you can be an atheist and have a religious belief in the tradition sense. me

Atheism is the absence of belief in deities-wikipedia again.

I don't understand what a non-theistic pagan is. Maybe you could enlighten me?

I have now confused myself. *sigh* time to go back to bed.

Answer 5

tawaen...curious that you say you have a religion but you are *"non-theistic Pagan" (*sorry, had to edit, wrote wrong TITLE down).... either you are one or the other or are agnostic or whatever, but, claiming to be a non-theistic Pagan simply means you ARE a "Pagan" just choose to be divided from the "other" Pagans that you think ill of or whom delve deeper than you do or trying to say you are a "nice" Pagan compared to the "evil" Pagan....

I was born of a Lutheran parent and a Catholic parent, baptized at a Reformed church and later in a Pentecostal church, but I do not belong to any of them... nor do I follow any of their doctrines that state what I can and cannot "believe" in...

LOL I have even read some of the doctrines written up for some "non-denominational" churches, and, guess what... did not join there either... I am a Spirit filled reborn child of God whom tries to follow the Bible and the Holy Spirits' leading and guidance and loves God and Jesus with all my heart...but, Masons say THEY are "reborn" too, so that isn't a God Believer definition either...

So...what am I? Catholics say I am not a "Christian" I can't be called just a "Believer" because that doesn't say whom I am a believer of... "Fundie" just sounds awful and just makes me think of the Pharisees and Sadducee's....

All are TITLES that we classify people with in our minds and society.

Atheism tends to stress SELF more than anything else, so, in our minds and within society, your "god" is "self" and Atheists are then a BELIEVER OF SELF or a name of those whom follow Atheism...

Hence..a "religion"

LOL You all classify people as you will, cannot the rest of us do the same? Man changes dates to celebrate or honor according to schedule also... when will man STOP changing things? We are all in the same situation of not liking what others choose to label us, but, that's how it is...

Guess "Theism" IS a religion in itself, as is "Agnosticism" and so forth...

Like others said. I am "me"...I happen to be a Bible Believer and of the history and deities and so on within it....but, I am an individual that's just as fed up with people giving my Faith and Belief a Title as the next person....

Peace be with you...signed: ForeverSet :)

Answer 6

I'm an atheist with some pagan tendencies. Does that make sense? I observe and celebrate the beginnings and midpoints of the seasons. And I love the moon. But I don't believe in any gods.

I am starting to embrace the noodly goodness of the FSM, though. Pasta be with you.

RAmen.

Answer 7

Who reported Atheism is a faith? Atheism isn't a faith. Come safely...''Atheists are the boys and females persons who do no longer believe something without appropriate info''. Who worried approximately them or their worry or their standards? First, there is not any atheists right here in india. Atheists are greater in christianity, and in the western international locations. There are as many motives for being an atheist as there are atheists: the line to atheism has a tendency to be very own and guy or woman, based upon the centred circumstances of a character’s existence, reviews, and attitudes. in spite of the certainty that, it particularly is achievable to describe some usual similarities which tend to be wide-spread between particularly basically some atheists, fairly atheists in the West. this would properly be a ideas-blowing question; regrettably, it isn’t particularly uncomplicated to respond to. Many atheists discover their approach to disbelief with the help of way of technology. Over the centuries technology has come to cutting-edge factors of aspects of our word that have been as quickly as the unusual element of religion. because of the fact medical factors have been greater effective than non secular or theistic factors, the aptitude of religion to call for allegiance has weakened. subsequently, some persons have come to fully reject now no longer only faith, yet additionally theory in the existence of a god. For them, gods are ineffective as a proof for any function of the universe and grant no longer something worth investigating. have you ever ever heard of 'clever atheists'? it particularly is a sort utilized with the help of a few non secular theists to describe those form of theists who technically sense in a god, although who behave immorally. the theory is that ethical habit follows immediately from actual theism, consequently immoral behavior is a very outcome of now no longer definitely believing. Theists who behave immorally have have been given to particularly be atheists, regardless of what they supply theory to.

Answer 8

So your hang up is over the word religion? Well then how about we say it this way. Christians are followers of Christ. People who want relationship with God. The difference is atheists don't want relationship with God. Then there is nothing said about following a religious ritual which eliminates all of us from having a "religion". Purely semantics. You either follow the god of this world or the Lord of Lords, but you do serve a god. Now I know that may come as a shock to you because all along you thought you were your own god.

Answer 9

I personally, say atheism is NOT a religion, it is a LACK of religion. However, I've filled out forms before that require you to answer what religion you are, and athiests should have an option too, not be force to "pick" something on the spot. What I'm saying is, its not a religion, but it has to be on the list as an option....it would be like having a form to fill out asking how many children you have and not letting "0" be an option. "0" is a number, and "no religion" is an answer to "What religion are you?"

Answer 10

This is what the dictionary has to say about both, Atheist, and Theist beliefs.... this says it all, without my Christian world view involved.

Main Entry: atheist
Function: noun
: one who believes that there is no deity

Main Entry: theism
Function: noun
: belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically : belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world

So in other words for you, your belief is more then one god, and you are pagan in faith. So, you are common when it comes to your pagan faith, as alot of pagan's are that way. And Buddhist's believe in the here and now, so to them faith is a belief in good v evil.

A religion then covers both that you mention, here I point of what the dictionary says again.

Main Entry: religion
Function: noun
1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

So even atheist falls into the number four use of the word religion... Case closed.

Answer 11

I consider myself an atheist, and my understanding of the word is that you have NO religion whatsoever. I don't "practice" atheism, because there is nothing to practice. I don't have a god, or anything/anyone that I pray to, so I don't feel like it is a religion.