Atheism Is Not A Religion!!!

[Mineva]

So when someone asks you what do you belive in, what would you say. They are asking you what you believe in, not what you don't believe.

I dont think it was such difficult to understand what I said.

When someone asks you what do you believe in (as faith);

If you are a theist, you will say "I believe in God" or you can say the religion which you follow.

If you are an atheist, the answer varies from person to person, you cant say "I dont believe in anything, I'm an atheist", because its the same thing with sayin "I dont believe in God, I believe there is no God"..............illogical.

If you are an agnostic, you can say "I'm a bit confused" : )

 

[PratchettFan]

So when someone asks you what do you belive in, what would you say. They are asking you what you believe in, not what you don't believe.

I dont think it was such difficult to understand what I said.

When someone asks you what do you believe in (as faith);

If you are a theist, you will say "I believe in God" or you can say the religion which you follow.

If you are an atheist, the answer varies from person to person, you cant say "I dont believe in anything, I'm an atheist", because its the same thing with sayin "I dont believe in God, I believe there is no God"..............illogical.

If you are an agnostic, you can say "I'm a bit confused" : )

Speaking as an Agnostic, I'm not at all confused.

 

[Carla_Danger]

Usually, yes. A community center powered by karaoke, kindness and cake is not a house of worship.

Non sequitur aside, "usually" is not a requirement. "Always" is a requirement. "Must" is a requirement. So I ask again, is worship a requirement for religion?

As far as I know, yes. Even in Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as the Supreme Buddha.

I suppose that depends upon who you talk to. Buddha is not a person, it's a title. There have been many Buddhas and one tenet of the religion is that all of us are potential Buddhas, and some hold it is inevitable that all will become Buddha. But indeed, Buddha worship is common within Buddhism. I personally do not worship Buddha, so would you then say that I am not in a religion?

If you don't worship anything, I would say you're not in a religion. I mean, really.

Ok. We have something to actually work with. Why is worship required for something to be a religion?

I don't know of any religion that doesn't worship or have a specific spiritual practice, but i suppose what sets atheists apart is not having an organized belief system that is required in order to be considered a religion.

 

[Carla_Danger]

Usually, yes. A community center powered by karaoke, kindness and cake is not a house of worship.

Non sequitur aside, "usually" is not a requirement. "Always" is a requirement. "Must" is a requirement. So I ask again, is worship a requirement for religion?

As far as I know, yes. Even in Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as the Supreme Buddha.

I suppose that depends upon who you talk to. Buddha is not a person, it's a title. There have been many Buddhas and one tenet of the religion is that all of us are potential Buddhas, and some hold it is inevitable that all will become Buddha. But indeed, Buddha worship is common within Buddhism. I personally do not worship Buddha, so would you then say that I am not in a religion?

If you don't worship anything, I would say you're not in a religion. I mean, really.

Ok. We have something to actually work with. Why is worship required for something to be a religion?

So when someone asks you what do you belive in, what would you say. They are asking you what you believe in, not what you don't believe.

I dont think it was such difficult to understand what I said.

When someone asks you what do you believe in (as faith);

If you are a theist, you will say "I believe in God" or you can say the religion which you follow.

If you are an atheist, the answer varies from person to person, you cant say "I dont believe in anything, I'm an atheist", because its the same thing with sayin "I dont believe in God, I believe there is no God"..............illogical.

If you are an agnostic, you can say "I'm a bit confused" : )

You're right, it varies from person to person, because we don't have a specific belief system.

 

[PostmodernProph]

Except he says he didn't. Frankly, I believe his recollection over yours.

what was actually written is right there to see and one need not depend upon memories.

then point to it......

Which part of that do you deny saying? Do you deny you referred to hell as a place where you go? Do you deny you indicated it is unpleasant? Let me know which and I will provide you with the quotes where you said it.

why?.....are you fresh out of pointless things to occupy your time?......hell is the antithesis of heaven.......if heaven is pleasant, the antithesis must be unpleasant.....is heaven a "place", is hell a "place"?........is either six miles north of somewhere?.....does it literally have a gate?.......

You used the phrase in one post "doomed to an eternity in hell" which doesn't sound fun to me.

doesn't sound like my usual posts....was I quoting what someone else had said?.........I might have used those words if I was mocking what someone else had posted......

 

[PostmodernProph]

Except he says he didn't. Frankly, I believe his recollection over yours.

what was actually written is right there to see and one need not depend upon memories.

then point to it......

Which part of that do you deny saying? Do you deny you referred to hell as a place where you go? Do you deny you indicated it is unpleasant? Let me know which and I will provide you with the quotes where you said it.

why?.....are you fresh out of pointless things to occupy your time?......hell is the antithesis of heaven.......if heaven is pleasant, the antithesis must be unpleasant.....is heaven a "place", is hell a "place"?........is either six miles north of somewhere?.....does it literally have a gate?.......

I reject your concept of God and I choose not to go to hell. If you think I am going to hell regardless of my choice not to, then it is obviously not my choice.

I am only aware of two possible choices.....you can choose to believe or choose not to believe.....anything other than choosing to believe results in consequences that you choose not to believe in.....I cannot attest that this will help you to avoid those consequences....I would say, with confidence, that if you refuse an eternity with schmucks it is not likely you will get the eternity with schmucks......thus you will get the alternative consequence whatever that might be......

 

[Derideo_Te]

It is NOT a religion, and if you keep saying it is, I'm going to start my own tax exempt church, and start pounding on your door at dinner time.

Seriously, it sounds ridiculous when you say it.


re·li·gion
riˈlijən/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed; More

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

You cut that link off short here's the rest...

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed;

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]
   • a particular system of faith and worship.
     plural noun: religions
     "the world's great religions"
   • a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance. "consumerism is the new religion"

The last one seems to fit fanatical Atheism to tee - So by some definitions Atheism can be considered a Religion

If you have to stretch that far then your fanatical obsession to brand atheism as a religion would fit the definition of a religious cult.

 

[GreenBean]

Then you are an agnostic not an atheist - there's a difference.

I'm sorry, but you don't get to define me. I'm an atheist because I don't live my life as if a God exists.

I'm sorry but you don't get to rewrite the English Language and .... I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN DEFINE YOU - THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT - SLEEP TIGHT

Maybe you can tell us what exactly atheists worship.

Been there ... done that ... follow the thread . We already did the definitions thing ... Remember ?

An Atheist = a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. In the mind of an Atheist there is no God and he/she has Faith in that conviction.

An agnostic = a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Religion doesn't necessarily require that there be a God

By your own admission and definition you are not an Atheist - but more correctly defined you are an Agnostic

Atheism Is Not A Religion US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

a·the·ist
ˈāTHēəst/
noun

1. a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
   "he is a committed atheist"
   

   synonyms:

   nonbeliever, disbeliever, unbeliever, skeptic, doubter, doubting Thomas,agnostic; nihilist "why is it often assumed that a man of science is probably an atheist?"

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

Here is the well-known Dawkins scale of belief (though I disagree with the title of (4) - see above):

1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

Atheism Is Not A Religion Page 2 US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

So where do you place yourself on that scale ?

It is NOT a religion, and if you keep saying it is, I'm going to start my own tax exempt church, and start pounding on your door at dinner time.

Seriously, it sounds ridiculous when you say it.


re·li·gion
riˈlijən/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed; More

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

You cut that link off short here's the rest...

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed;

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]
   • a particular system of faith and worship.
     plural noun: religions
     "the world's great religions"
   • a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance. "consumerism is the new religion"

The last one seems to fit fanatical Atheism to tee - So by some definitions Atheism can be considered a Religion

If you have to stretch that far then your fanatical obsession to brand atheism as a religion would fit the definition of a religious cult.

It's not really a very important topic ... a rose by any other name is still a rose , and a turd by any other name still smells like shit. It's just an exercise in Semantics .

 

[sealybobo]

Atheism is not a religion because it does not have written rules. But its another "belief", as like other religions.

Theist people believe there is God.

Atheist people believe there is no God.

Consider the following analogy: if I tell you that I visited Canada last week, would you believe me? Certainly visiting Canada is common and unremarkable, so there is no reason to think that my statement is inaccurate. However, you also have no reason to think it is true — so, although you may accept me at my word, you may just as easily accept my claim as plausible but then not give it further thought because it just isn’t important.

We can also go a bit further by modifying my claim to state that I crawled from my house to Canada. Again, such a feat is certainly possible — but on the other hand, it also isn’t very likely. Why would anyone do such a thing? While you might step right up to assert that my claim is false, a more likely position would be to “reject belief in” my claim pending further evidence and support. You aren’t actively believing it (because it seems implausible) but you aren’t denying it either (because it’s not impossible).

Because the evidence to warrant rational belief is lacking, the atheist does not adopt the belief — but the atheist also does not necessarily deny the claim due to a similar lack of contrary evidence. The reaction, then, is to simply “reject belief in” the claim because the theist offers no good reasons to believe.

As we can see, not only are disbelief and denial different things, but there are different levels to disbelief, just as there are to belief. If you are interested in learning in what sense a particular atheist “disbelieves” in a god, you will have to ask. Different atheists disbelieve in different ways and for different reasons.

 

[sealybobo]

Then you are an agnostic not an atheist - there's a difference.

I'm sorry, but you don't get to define me. I'm an atheist because I don't live my life as if a God exists.

I'm sorry but you don't get to rewrite the English Language and .... I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN DEFINE YOU - THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT - SLEEP TIGHT

Maybe you can tell us what exactly atheists worship.

Been there ... done that ... follow the thread . We already did the definitions thing ... Remember ?

An Atheist = a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. In the mind of an Atheist there is no God and he/she has Faith in that conviction.

An agnostic = a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Religion doesn't necessarily require that there be a God

By your own admission and definition you are not an Atheist - but more correctly defined you are an Agnostic

Atheism Is Not A Religion US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

a·the·ist
ˈāTHēəst/
noun

1. a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
   "he is a committed atheist"
   

   synonyms:

   nonbeliever, disbeliever, unbeliever, skeptic, doubter, doubting Thomas,agnostic; nihilist "why is it often assumed that a man of science is probably an atheist?"

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

Here is the well-known Dawkins scale of belief (though I disagree with the title of (4) - see above):

1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

Atheism Is Not A Religion Page 2 US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

Note that even a strong atheist can't be 100% sure something didn't create everything we see. They would have to be a god themselves to say that. They may be referring to the "god" that has supposedly visited us 5000, then 2000, then 500 and then 200 years ago. Those gods we are 100% sure are made up because they are too unbelievable to even give a slim chance of being real. Talking snakes, 350 year old men, virgin births, living in a whales belly for 3 days and living and of course the resurrection of Jesus.

 

[GreenBean]

I'm sorry, but you don't get to define me. I'm an atheist because I don't live my life as if a God exists.

I'm sorry but you don't get to rewrite the English Language and .... I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN DEFINE YOU - THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT - SLEEP TIGHT

Maybe you can tell us what exactly atheists worship.

Been there ... done that ... follow the thread . We already did the definitions thing ... Remember ?

An Atheist = a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. In the mind of an Atheist there is no God and he/she has Faith in that conviction.

An agnostic = a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Religion doesn't necessarily require that there be a God

By your own admission and definition you are not an Atheist - but more correctly defined you are an Agnostic

Atheism Is Not A Religion US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

a·the·ist
ˈāTHēəst/
noun

1. a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
   "he is a committed atheist"
   

   synonyms:

   nonbeliever, disbeliever, unbeliever, skeptic, doubter, doubting Thomas,agnostic; nihilist "why is it often assumed that a man of science is probably an atheist?"

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

Here is the well-known Dawkins scale of belief (though I disagree with the title of (4) - see above):

1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

Atheism Is Not A Religion Page 2 US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

Note that even a strong atheist can't be 100% sure something didn't create everything we see. They would have to be a god themselves to say that. They may be referring to the "god" that has supposedly visited us 5000, then 2000, then 500 and then 200 years ago. Those gods we are 100% sure are made up because they are too unbelievable to even give a slim chance of being real. Talking snakes, 350 year old men, virgin births, living in a whales belly for 3 days and living and of course the resurrection of Jesus.

Good argument - very good .... however ... a lot of what you just posted can be "explained away" with etymology and linguistic morphing.

 

[sealybobo]

I'm sorry but you don't get to rewrite the English Language and .... I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN DEFINE YOU - THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT - SLEEP TIGHT

Maybe you can tell us what exactly atheists worship.

Been there ... done that ... follow the thread . We already did the definitions thing ... Remember ?

An Atheist = a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. In the mind of an Atheist there is no God and he/she has Faith in that conviction.

An agnostic = a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Religion doesn't necessarily require that there be a God

By your own admission and definition you are not an Atheist - but more correctly defined you are an Agnostic

Atheism Is Not A Religion US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

a·the·ist
ˈāTHēəst/
noun

1. a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
   "he is a committed atheist"
   

   synonyms:

   nonbeliever, disbeliever, unbeliever, skeptic, doubter, doubting Thomas,agnostic; nihilist "why is it often assumed that a man of science is probably an atheist?"

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

Here is the well-known Dawkins scale of belief (though I disagree with the title of (4) - see above):

1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

Atheism Is Not A Religion Page 2 US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

Note that even a strong atheist can't be 100% sure something didn't create everything we see. They would have to be a god themselves to say that. They may be referring to the "god" that has supposedly visited us 5000, then 2000, then 500 and then 200 years ago. Those gods we are 100% sure are made up because they are too unbelievable to even give a slim chance of being real. Talking snakes, 350 year old men, virgin births, living in a whales belly for 3 days and living and of course the resurrection of Jesus.

Good argument - very good .... however ... a lot of what you just posted can be "explained away" with etymology and linguistic morphing.

And I guess it is possible 200 years ago god told Joseph Smith about magic underwear, or 500 years ago talked to Mohammad, or 2000 years ago came on a suicide mission, or 5000 years before parted the red seas, talked to Noah, Adam & Eve & Jonah.

I wasn't there so even with that I can't say 100% sure. 99.99999%

 

[sealybobo]

It is NOT a religion, and if you keep saying it is, I'm going to start my own tax exempt church, and start pounding on your door at dinner time.

Seriously, it sounds ridiculous when you say it.


re·li·gion
riˈlijən/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed; More

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

I watch these religion channels all the time and I never see an Atheist perspective

TCT TCT Network

In fact yesterday they had a kids show where the atheist was mocking the Christians and the argument was not anywhere close to reality. The atheists didn't say anything any of us atheists on USMB say to you. Why didn't they use a realistic atheist? Because they know a real atheist would eat you up.

 

[Derideo_Te]

I'm sorry, but you don't get to define me. I'm an atheist because I don't live my life as if a God exists.

I'm sorry but you don't get to rewrite the English Language and .... I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN DEFINE YOU - THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT - SLEEP TIGHT

Maybe you can tell us what exactly atheists worship.

Been there ... done that ... follow the thread . We already did the definitions thing ... Remember ?

An Atheist = a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. In the mind of an Atheist there is no God and he/she has Faith in that conviction.

An agnostic = a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.
Religion doesn't necessarily require that there be a God

By your own admission and definition you are not an Atheist - but more correctly defined you are an Agnostic

Atheism Is Not A Religion US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

a·the·ist
ˈāTHēəst/
noun

1. a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
   "he is a committed atheist"
   

   synonyms:

   nonbeliever, disbeliever, unbeliever, skeptic, doubter, doubting Thomas,agnostic; nihilist "why is it often assumed that a man of science is probably an atheist?"

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

Here is the well-known Dawkins scale of belief (though I disagree with the title of (4) - see above):

1. Strong Theist: I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
2. De-facto Theist: I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
3. Weak Theist: I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
4. Pure Agnostic: God’s existence and non-existence are exactly equiprobable.
5. Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
6. De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
7. Strong Atheist: I am 100% sure that there is no God.

Atheism Is Not A Religion Page 2 US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum

So where do you place yourself on that scale ?

It is NOT a religion, and if you keep saying it is, I'm going to start my own tax exempt church, and start pounding on your door at dinner time.

Seriously, it sounds ridiculous when you say it.


re·li·gion
riˈlijən/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed; More

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]

You cut that link off short here's the rest...

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
   "ideas about the relationship between science and religion"
   

   synonyms:

   faith, belief, worship, creed;

   [TBODY] [/TBODY]
   • a particular system of faith and worship.
     plural noun: religions
     "the world's great religions"
   • a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance. "consumerism is the new religion"

The last one seems to fit fanatical Atheism to tee - So by some definitions Atheism can be considered a Religion

If you have to stretch that far then your fanatical obsession to brand atheism as a religion would fit the definition of a religious cult.

It's not really a very important topic ... a rose by any other name is still a rose , and a turd by any other name still smells like shit. It's just an exercise in Semantics .

Your religion considers lying to be a sin so you can try that "it was just an exercise in semantics" excuse when you are facing the condemnation of your eternal soul to everlasting torment.

 

[sealybobo]

When you apply a negative it becomes a non-belief. Opposite of belief.

We dont need word games. An atheist is a non-believer of faith in God, but a believer of the absence of God. So a believer.

So when someone asks you what do you belive in, what would you say. They are asking you what you believe in, not what you don't believe.

I would reply that I believe at this point in time we just don't know.

I don't believe any organized religions and our current lack of understanding concerning the Universe’s origins does not automatically mean ‘god’ holds any explanatory value. Metaphysical and theistic speculation are not immediately justified or correct simply because we lack a comprehensive scientific model. Uncertainty is the most valid position and one can honestly say “We just don’t know yet”.

That is unless you believe the organized religions which I don't.

But as far as there being a generic god, there are many as yet unexplained phenomena and anomalies in nature. The scientific approach to these is to say “I don’t know yet” and keep on looking, not to presume an answer which makes us comfortable.

Relying on supernatural explanations is a cop-out or a dead-end to deepening our understanding of reality. If a natural cause for something is not known, the scientific approach is to say “I don’t know yet” and keep on looking, not to presume an answer which makes us comfortable.

 

[sealybobo]

So when someone asks you what do you belive in, what would you say. They are asking you what you believe in, not what you don't believe.

I dont think it was such difficult to understand what I said.

When someone asks you what do you believe in (as faith);

If you are a theist, you will say "I believe in God" or you can say the religion which you follow.

If you are an atheist, the answer varies from person to person, you cant say "I dont believe in anything, I'm an atheist", because its the same thing with sayin "I dont believe in God, I believe there is no God"..............illogical.

If you are an agnostic, you can say "I'm a bit confused" : )

If you don't belong to Christianity that means you do not believe the Jesus was god story and so you are an atheist.

I think it sort of depends on if you are asking someone if they believe in a generic god or if they believe any of the Abrahamic religions.

 

[PratchettFan]

Non sequitur aside, "usually" is not a requirement. "Always" is a requirement. "Must" is a requirement. So I ask again, is worship a requirement for religion?

As far as I know, yes. Even in Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as the Supreme Buddha.

I suppose that depends upon who you talk to. Buddha is not a person, it's a title. There have been many Buddhas and one tenet of the religion is that all of us are potential Buddhas, and some hold it is inevitable that all will become Buddha. But indeed, Buddha worship is common within Buddhism. I personally do not worship Buddha, so would you then say that I am not in a religion?

If you don't worship anything, I would say you're not in a religion. I mean, really.

Ok. We have something to actually work with. Why is worship required for something to be a religion?

I don't know of any religion that doesn't worship or have a specific spiritual practice, but i suppose what sets atheists apart is not having an organized belief system that is required in order to be considered a religion.

I've seen quite a bit of organization amongst Atheists, all around a core belief system. There are associations, organizations, even churches. Heck, there is even a bloody dating site. No, that claim is not going to hold water.

Saying you don't know of a religion doesn't mean there isn't one. I certainly consider my faith a religion and I do not worship or engage in specific spiritual practices. If we are going to make any determination in this question we must first establish what religion is. But I am more than willing to consider this so long as it is done without prejudice.

What actually constitutes worship? We can go with the primary definition of showing love and respect to a god. But does it have to be positive? Love and hate may not be the same emotion but they are still emotions. Would not showing hate and disrespect to a god be just as emotional an experience as love and respect? If not, what would we call it?

 

[PratchettFan]

what was actually written is right there to see and one need not depend upon memories.

then point to it......

Which part of that do you deny saying? Do you deny you referred to hell as a place where you go? Do you deny you indicated it is unpleasant? Let me know which and I will provide you with the quotes where you said it.

why?.....are you fresh out of pointless things to occupy your time?......hell is the antithesis of heaven.......if heaven is pleasant, the antithesis must be unpleasant.....is heaven a "place", is hell a "place"?........is either six miles north of somewhere?.....does it literally have a gate?.......

You used the phrase in one post "doomed to an eternity in hell" which doesn't sound fun to me.

doesn't sound like my usual posts....was I quoting what someone else had said?.........I might have used those words if I was mocking what someone else had posted......

Post #269 of the thread Faith is Born of Fear. I will say this board has a very good search engine.

 

[PratchettFan]

what was actually written is right there to see and one need not depend upon memories.

then point to it......

Which part of that do you deny saying? Do you deny you referred to hell as a place where you go? Do you deny you indicated it is unpleasant? Let me know which and I will provide you with the quotes where you said it.

why?.....are you fresh out of pointless things to occupy your time?......hell is the antithesis of heaven.......if heaven is pleasant, the antithesis must be unpleasant.....is heaven a "place", is hell a "place"?........is either six miles north of somewhere?.....does it literally have a gate?.......

I reject your concept of God and I choose not to go to hell. If you think I am going to hell regardless of my choice not to, then it is obviously not my choice.

I am only aware of two possible choices.....you can choose to believe or choose not to believe.....anything other than choosing to believe results in consequences that you choose not to believe in.....I cannot attest that this will help you to avoid those consequences....I would say, with confidence, that if you refuse an eternity with schmucks it is not likely you will get the eternity with schmucks......thus you will get the alternative consequence whatever that might be......

Yes. Which is akin to my holding a gun to your head..... You are free to see it differently but to me the moral issue is quite clear. It is one of the reasons why I have never understood why anyone would be a Christian. But it would be a funny old world if everyone saw things the same way.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I don't know of any religion that doesn't worship or have a specific spiritual practice, but i suppose what sets atheists apart is not having an organized belief system that is required in order to be considered a religion.

Is it remotely possible that your ignorance does not define the universe? I am only asking because you seem to think it does. You have even argued that your ignorance means other people cannot argue that their religion is atheism.