Atheism Is Not A Religion!!!

[Quantum Windbag]

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.

Why do idiots insit that their beliefs limit the beliefs of other people?

 

[Montrovant]

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 .

I agree, the vast majority of this thread seems to be little more than a semantics argument. Worse, it's often a semantics argument between people who don't seem to see it as such.

 

[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.

Let me take a different approach. Let us say we have two groups. One believes that Jesus is about to come and gather them up into heaven. They spend their days in prayer and preparation and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Then we have another group who believes aliens are going to take them to their planet. The work hard to prepare themselves and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Now, you might say the first was religion and the second was not. But I have to wonder what the actual practical difference is between the two might be.

 

[Carla_Danger]

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.

Let me take a different approach. Let us say we have two groups. One believes that Jesus is about to come and gather them up into heaven. They spend their days in prayer and preparation and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Then we have another group who believes aliens are going to take them to their planet. The work hard to prepare themselves and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Now, you might say the first was religion and the second was not. But I have to wonder what the actual practical difference is between the two might be.

No. One is a cult, and one is a group of lunatics. What's that got to do with atheists?

 

[Carla_Danger]

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?

What are our core beliefs?

 

[PratchettFan]

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.

Let me take a different approach. Let us say we have two groups. One believes that Jesus is about to come and gather them up into heaven. They spend their days in prayer and preparation and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Then we have another group who believes aliens are going to take them to their planet. The work hard to prepare themselves and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Now, you might say the first was religion and the second was not. But I have to wonder what the actual practical difference is between the two might be.

No. One is a cult, and one is a group of lunatics. What's that got to do with atheists?

It has to do with defining religion. The fact that one group is focused on Jesus and the other on aliens really matters? That they acted in exactly the same way makes no difference?

 

[PratchettFan]

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?

What are our core beliefs?

The belief there is no god. I would think that obvious. And remember, any conclusion made in the absence of evidence is a belief, so unless you suddenly have some evidence we have established that you do have beliefs.

 

[Carla_Danger]

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.

Let me take a different approach. Let us say we have two groups. One believes that Jesus is about to come and gather them up into heaven. They spend their days in prayer and preparation and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Then we have another group who believes aliens are going to take them to their planet. The work hard to prepare themselves and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Now, you might say the first was religion and the second was not. But I have to wonder what the actual practical difference is between the two might be.

No. One is a cult, and one is a group of lunatics. What's that got to do with atheists?

It has to do with defining religion. The fact that one group is focused on Jesus and the other on aliens really matters? That they acted in exactly the same way makes no difference?

That's ridiculous, because not all atheists believe in aliens. I'm sure there's gotta be a couple out there somewhere, but there is no group. Believing in aliens is also not a religion.

I believe in illegal aliens, is that a religion?

 

[Carla_Danger]

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?

What are our core beliefs?

The belief there is no god. I would think that obvious. And remember, any conclusion made in the absence of evidence is a belief, so unless you suddenly have some evidence we have established that you do have beliefs.

So, you're now saying that Agnosticism is a religion?

 

[Montrovant]

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?

What are our core beliefs?

The belief there is no god. I would think that obvious. And remember, any conclusion made in the absence of evidence is a belief, so unless you suddenly have some evidence we have established that you do have beliefs.

What if the conclusion is that there is an absence of evidence?

 

[Tuatara]

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 .

I agree, the vast majority of this thread seems to be little more than a semantics argument. Worse, it's often a semantics argument between people who don't seem to see it as such.

The argument on the word belief is a semantics argument but anyone calling atheism a religion is not a semantics argument. It is just plain stupidity.

 

[PostmodernProph]

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

isn't that rather strange?.....

 

[PostmodernProph]

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.

odd.....you claim its a gun to your head but say you have no trouble deciding not to believe.....apparently it isn't as frightening a gun as you say.....

 

[PostmodernProph]

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.

I didn't bring up hell as a "place" in that thread either.....

 

[PratchettFan]

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.

Let me take a different approach. Let us say we have two groups. One believes that Jesus is about to come and gather them up into heaven. They spend their days in prayer and preparation and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Then we have another group who believes aliens are going to take them to their planet. The work hard to prepare themselves and on an appointed day, they all take poison together to facilitate the trip. Now, you might say the first was religion and the second was not. But I have to wonder what the actual practical difference is between the two might be.

No. One is a cult, and one is a group of lunatics. What's that got to do with atheists?

It has to do with defining religion. The fact that one group is focused on Jesus and the other on aliens really matters? That they acted in exactly the same way makes no difference?

That's ridiculous, because not all atheists believe in aliens. I'm sure there's gotta be a couple out there somewhere, but there is no group. Believing in aliens is also not a religion.

I believe in illegal aliens, is that a religion?

I told you, this is about defining religion. I'm trying to wrap my mind around the suggestion that two groups acting in exactly the same manner are different because one believes in Jesus and the other in aliens. Because what that means is how a group acts is not important, only what they believe. Doesn't that position sound familiar to you?

 

[PratchettFan]

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?

What are our core beliefs?

The belief there is no god. I would think that obvious. And remember, any conclusion made in the absence of evidence is a belief, so unless you suddenly have some evidence we have established that you do have beliefs.

So, you're now saying that Agnosticism is a religion?

No. But it could be treated as one.

 

[PratchettFan]

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.

odd.....you claim its a gun to your head but say you have no trouble deciding not to believe.....apparently it isn't as frightening a gun as you say.....

I never said I was frightened, only that it is akin to holding a gun to your head. In this particular case, you have to believe in the gun and I don't. Just because it is a hollow threat changes nothing. I also never decided to not believe. I have never believed and was frankly rather shocked when it was finally explained to me at an age where I could understand. I could not believe if I tried. I suspect the appeal of Christianity will remain a mystery to me.

 

[PratchettFan]

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 .

I agree, the vast majority of this thread seems to be little more than a semantics argument. Worse, it's often a semantics argument between people who don't seem to see it as such.

The argument on the word belief is a semantics argument but anyone calling atheism a religion is not a semantics argument. It is just plain stupidity.

So it has been written, and thus must be true. Look up the definition of dogma when you get a chance.

 

[GreenBean]

Buddhism is a Religion

But it is widely regarded as an atheistic religion. Buddhist scriptures either do not promote or actively reject the existence of a creator god, the existence of "lesser" gods who are the source of morality, and that humans owe any duties to any gods. At the same time, though, these scriptures accept the existence of supernatural beings which might be described as gods. Some Buddhists today believe in the existence of such beings and are theists. Others dismiss these beings and are atheists. Since there is nothing about Buddhism which requires belief in gods, atheism in Buddhism is easy to maintain.

The Jain Religion

For Jains, every soul or spiritual being is worthy of the exact same praise. Because of this, Jains do not worship any "higher" spiritual beings like gods nor do they worship or pay homage to any idols. Jains believe that the universe has always existed and will always exist, so there is no need for any sort of creator god. None of this means that no spiritual beings exist which might be called "gods," however, and thus a Jain might believe in beings which might be considered gods and therefore technically be a theist. From a Western religious perspective, though, they'd all be atheists.



Atheism in Confucian & Taoist Religion:

On a functional level, at least, both Confucianism and Taoism can be considered atheistic. Neither is founded on faith in a creator god like Judeo-Christian Religions are. Neither promote the existence of such a god, either.


Atheism and religion are often portrayed and treated as polar opposites; although there is a strong correlation between being an atheist and being irreligious, there is no necessary and inherent connection between the two. Atheism is not the same as being irreligious; theism is not the same as being religious. Atheists in the West tend not to belong to any religion, but atheism is quite compatible with religion. If you are Adamant in your beliefs than you have a lot of Faith in your belief and are in effect a religious Atheist

Adapted aboutreligion.com

 

[PostmodernProph]

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.

odd.....you claim its a gun to your head but say you have no trouble deciding not to believe.....apparently it isn't as frightening a gun as you say.....

In this particular case, you have to believe in the gun and I don't.

then we're at an impasse, as you believe its a gun and I don't.......