Why do religious types refuse to understand that atheism is not a religion?

Question

Francine: I don't think you are correct... but I wish you were.

fireball: You remarried, that's not a Biblical thing to do?

sisterze...: Not at all. atheism does not require a belief in no God, all it requires is that the atheist does not share the theists beliefs, God is not an issue for atheists whatever the theist may think about it.

heiscomi...: an atheist is simply not a theist ...that's is all there is to it...no confusion for us.

Answer 1

People of various religious faiths have tried, for some time, to try and equate atheism with a religion. They usually cite the "you have to have faith that doesn't exist". What these people fail to grasp is that the atheist does not have a belief in the non-existence of something; rather, the atheist LACKS belief in any kind of god/deity/spirit, et.al. This is not the same thing. What theists need to understand is that they are theists because they have interpreted certain events, experiences and phenomenon in their lives as only being possible due to the existence of some god/deity/spirit. Thus, they have acquired theism. The atheist, on the other hand, has simply done the opposite. The atheist has not been party or witness to any event, experience or phenomenon that he or she could only explain by way of the existence of some god/deity/spirit. If you're an atheist, the next time some theist asks "How is that you can have no belief in ?", simply respond with "How is it that you can have no belief in unicorns?" Maybe they'll get the point.

Answer 2

What is religion but a method of worship

you don't worship anything you are aware of, so perhaps the correct answer is, you don't know it is a religion

sort of a agnostic though process on the subject. I say this in jest.

if so many were not here trying to convert those of one belief system to that belief system you embrace I would would have to side with you, atheism is not a religion, but you know the old saying,
if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, tastes like a duck, had dna of a duck, was proven in 22 months of legal manuvering to be a duck, that hedge hog is a duck.

take it or leave it, the law is the law.

Answer 3

I think it depends on how religion is defined. If in order for a belief or set of beliefs to be a religion it must have god then atheism is not a religion. On the other hand, if a belief system does not need a god to be a religion then atheism is a religion. It depends on what a specifies a religion.

Answer 4

It's kind of hard to not believe Atheism is a religion when atheists are setting up mega atheists churches all across the country.

Answer 5

Because atheism and agnosticism are directly related to religion. when a survey asks for religion, isn't atheist an option. when people ask you your religious belief, you say atheist. it is a belief not a religion, but the misunderstanding isn't uncommon, and completely understandable. Don't be so angry :)

Answer 6

It is a belief system by which you seek to answer questions regarding the world around you and what will become of you upon death correct? Therefore Atheism == Religion

edit-- oh yea let us not forget the most important evidence. You can't prove what you believe to be true. Therefore you take it on faith. Ouch the "f" word...

Answer 7

Is it a belief system? Yes. Is it a world view? Yes. Atheism is the belief in no God, Theism is the belief in a God. To be technical, one could say the "religion" of atheists is secular humanism. It is basically the same thing.

Answer 8

Atheists themselves contradict what they believe in or don't believe in.

You have some atheists say they are a religion that is made up of unbelievers. Then you have atheists that say they are not a religion.

I suggest all you atheists look up words such as religion or cults or what ever and come to terms with what you are.

According to the Word of God, you are his enemy. Not because he does not love you, but because you don't love him.

God sent his own Son to die for you. Yet, you choose not to believe so you can continue your life in sin. And by saying you don't believe in God, you are saying you don't believe in his laws. That way you can live in sin without being held accountable to anything.

REPENT, for the day of the Lord is almost upon us. You can lie to yourselves and say the world is not moving towards destruction, but it won't change the fact that destruction is around the next corner.

It says in the Word of God that if he didn't shorten the time to when his Son comes and takes control of the world, there would be no flesh saved. In other words, man will ultimately destroy himself.

So continue to lie to yourselves and deny there is a storm on the horizen even if you can see the lightening and hear the thunder.

One thing is certain, you can either die in your sins or die in Christ. Your way, the way of sin will result in your eternal torment in the lake of fire and brimstone. The way of the Lord will bring live everlasting in paradise.

Answer 9

It is the belief in the god of Self

Answer 10

They cannot understand that atheism is a religion in the way that bald is a hair colour.
It's either all too difficult or wilfull ignorance.