From the majority of atheists, I understand that atheism is not a religion. BUT, when I was talking with an atheist on Yahoo!Answers, they told me that they were a "Level 4 Atheist." "Level 4"? Levels sound kinda like a cult thing...cults are religions.
Webster's definition of "religion" - a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with a passion and/or faith.
Don't atheists believe that Christianity and other religions are false? Isn't that a "belief held to with a passion"?
So what's your opinion? Is atheism a religious belief, or not?
2007-09-27 06:21:48 · 43 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And I didn't ask for attitude along with your answers...just what you believe.
2007-09-27 06:25:59 · update #1
No, it is not.
ADDENDUM
Almost forgot: * Drink! *
2007-09-27 06:25:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
I think its an excellent question.
And I would answer that it CAN be. Not always though.
Many people have a problem with anyone who jumps in and preaches their views like a fiery minister at a pulpit. Particularly if its based on little more than "I believe" or some writings "told me so" or "I was raised that way". Especially if they seem to be trolling the questions and jumping in on conversations which no one else feels has anything to do with what they said. I find it just as irritating if its a Born Again Baptist, or a Scientologist, or an Athiest.
The conversations on the beginning of life are especially funny when both sides seem to be all fire-and-brimstone with nothing more than faith in what they have been told. Im not saying which is right, just that both of them come off as being very religious about it. :)
2007-09-30 05:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by Gandalf Parker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same thing over and over and over . Atheism is the lack of religious belief . That does not mean that Athiests can't believe anything . I believe the earth is round - - that is not my religion or faith .
I know of no Atheist who's belief that religions are false is a passion . Some of you holies sure have great imaginations .
2007-09-27 06:39:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
atheism is the lack of belief in gods
there's no such thing as a level 4 atheist
the dictionary.com definition varies from websters apparently
. 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.
Buddhism is a religion and Buddhists are atheists.
You're going for the loosest possible definition of religion.
You want atheism to be a religion. It seems to be important you lot that we're as bad as each other
2007-09-27 07:16:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I think you are right about atheism being like a religion. My definition would go a little further than Webster's though. i would say a religion is based on facts that cannot be proven or disproven, like the existance of God, creationism, miracles, etc. These are things you just have to believe because... you believe them.
Atheists claim to be very objective, but I think they often step over the line by being absolutely certain there is no God. This is different from an Agnostic who is more honest by saying they don't know one way or the other.
An Atheist's argument might be something along the lines of "there are evil things in the world; no god would allow evil to exist; hence, God must not exist." But you can see how this argument is flawed. First, the definition of evil varies from person to person, and I think it was Thomas Aquinas who said evil is just absence of good, meaning the further away you go from God (who is the source of all good), the more evil you become. So it's not that God is allowing evil things to happen, He is just allowing people to exercise their free will and stray from good. Second, some people believe that God needs evil to exist as part of a larger plan that we humans cannot understand. For example, a plane crash that kills the passengers may have prevented one person from unleashing a deadly pathogen that would have killed millions of people. You get my point.
Personally, I am religious in that I believe in the sanctity of life and principles of kindness to everybody, just as Jesus taught. But I am not sold on the idea of a divine being. I'd have to meet Him or Her in person before I conclude that.
2007-09-27 06:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There aren't levels to atheism. Atheism is simply lack of belief in God/gods. It's really that simple. Atheists simply don't believe OTHER people's stories about magical, supernatural beings. Some people are more vocal about it than others, and that might have been his way of saying that he's a very vocal atheist.
Atheism is no more a religious belief than NOT collecting stamps is a hobby.
2007-09-27 06:27:02 · answer #6 · answered by Jess H 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No it is not. I believe the "level 4" referred to is the level that the person is on Yahoo answers. It has nothing to do with the fact that they are atheist. I think your definition of "religion" is a little broad as well. I believe in gravity, but that does not make it a religion. I think a belief has to have a sacred text, rituals, etc. to officially qualify as a religion.
2007-09-27 06:30:11 · answer #7 · answered by Kris G 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Atheism is not a belief system, its a lack of belief in supernatural nonsense. Of course, ATHEISTS, believe all sort sorts of things and some believe other kinds of nonsense.
Sad but true.
2007-09-27 16:38:00 · answer #8 · answered by J K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheism in not a religion.
It's some times called a religion by religious people so they can have some kind of common ground, but this is a futile attempt, a poor one at that.
2007-09-27 06:45:23 · answer #9 · answered by Chunky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually posted the same question yesterday, but not about any type of level 4 atheist.
The definition you gave is the same one I chose. By this definition you could say it is a religion. However, they won't accept this because the word religion kind of implies a deity. I specifically said this definition does not mean a god is needed. They must have beliefs that lead them to their reasoning of why God does not exist. To have none is ignorant. By this definition, yes you could say it is a religion. Not an organized religion, but a religion in the sense of the definition.
This only gives the possiblity of it being a religion. It doesn't mean that it necessarily is.
2007-09-27 06:30:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I believe the person in question was merely exaggerating the point of his disbelief, or mocking religion in general (possible the Masons?).
The key word in the definition is faith. Atheists lack that. And if you consider atheism a religion, it would be analogous to calling simple science (the Earth is round, ice is cold) a religion.
2007-09-27 06:27:38 · answer #11 · answered by oldwhatshername 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋