Is atheism a religion?

Question

Not trying to be a smarta$$ here. But it is a belief right? So why not? Just curious.

thank you for your replies. I had no intentions of irritating anyone by this question although it has probably been asked a million times. I apologize if I offended anyone.

Hey gdc... why are you so defensive? that was worse than rude. I am not bashing atheism. I am not bashing anything. It was a simple question. geesh!

Answer 1

It's not a religion. Some, but not all, atheists are even anti-religion. It basically just comes down to a non-belief in God or gods. I'm not an atheist, but this is what I gather from it all.

Answer 2

No, religious people keep trying to claim it is just another religion, but that is a false argument. Atheism is not a "belief". It is "a-" (without) "theism" (belief in gods)

Religion by definition involves the belief on faith of supernatural deities. Atheism is simply non-belief in deities, and typically an evidence based rational approach to the world, and the various strange claims people make.

I'm not sure why it is important to some religious types to claim that atheism is just another "false" religion. Possibly because all they understand is the faith based view of the world, they are unable to appreciate how anyone could actually prefer reality.

Answer 3

No, it really isn't. It's a lack of belief.

And even if it was "a belief" (which it isn't), that alone does not constitute religion. The belief that a certain TV show is "the best ever" isn't a religion. The belief that aliens are tinkering with your brain isn't a religion. The belief that pizza sauce ought to be more sweet than bitter isn't a religion.

Religion requires much more than mere "belief".

Answer 4

I think it is a lack of belief. Although some atheists believe there are no gods.

All boils down to the definition you choose as the 'correct' one.

If you believe that there is/are no god/s, then surely that is a kind of belief?

I think of it like this:

I say to you:

" a perfect floating teapot exists in aplace called that you can't see. it created all the universe and will make you happy when you die"

You say to me: " Why should I believe you, where is your evidence?"

I say to you:

"Ah, you must be one of those ateapotists!! Did you know that ateapotism is a religion too?"

you say to me: "You're barking mad"

I say to you: "Why do you hate the Teapot?"??

etc etc

Answer 5

I had to laugh when I read the answer which asks if bald's a hair color--more so because that's accurate for analogy. Atheism is the polar opposite of religion.

Answer 6

Absolutely not. A belief does not constitute a religion. People believe in aliens and such yet that's not a religion. The atheists like to think their position is a religion but by the definition of religion alone they are only fooling themselves.

Answer 7

It isn't, though those who wish to shift the burden of proof often incorrectly claim it is (as an attempt not to have to deal with the fact that with no evidence of a god atheism wins by default).

Answer 8

How old are you? Do you go to school? Do you think that a belief equals religion? Or only religion equals a belief? Have you ever thought for yourself. I mean other than trying to decide if you will get a twinkie or a snowball.

You don't know what defensive is either. Get a dictionary. So to school. Grow up.

Answer 9

No.

Religion: 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 observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

If that is not enough to help you understand why atheism is not a religion, then... *shrug*

Answer 10

No, its not. *sighs* Do you understand the definition of religion? Religion isn't about just being a "belief". If that was all it was, it would only be called "belief".

The dictionary defines it as... "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."

Did you notice the "devotional and ritual observances containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs" part?

THAT is religion.

The ONLY thing Atheists have in common is lack of belief in any god. Therefore, its not a religion.