Atheism is a RELIGION

[Matheist]

The official definition of Atheism #151

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.​

Conclusion

1. It is a religious claim, and not rooted in science, logic, philosophy etc.

2. The claim for belief in God (The Dawkin's Scale *)

3. The claim for disbelief in God

4. The claim for without belief in God

(vs. not making a choice when everything has its causes and effects, IS A CHOICE - Burden of Proof)​

* There are 320,000,000 Gods

Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.

Atheism is a Religion.



*

Premise 1: Who is an Atheist?

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

Premise 2: "Equiprobable, skeptical, improbable" means:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)​

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion: Atheism is a religion with 320,000,000 Gods
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



4. Pure Agnostic

God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.​

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

5. Weak Atheist

I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.​

skeptical​

1. not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

6. De-facto Atheist

I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

improbable​

1. not likely to be true or to happen.

synonyms: unlikely, not likely, doubtful, dubious, debatable, questionable, uncertain;
More: unexpected and apparently inauthentic.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.
​

Progress:

The definition #1 #151 Atheism is a Religion . #6 #32#37 #41 #205 #223

Strawman Fallacy: #235

Worldviews: #241

 

[Curious George]

The official definition of Atheism

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.​

Conclusion

1. It is a religious claim, and not rooted in science, logic, philosophy etc.

2. The claim for belief in God (The Dawkin's Scale *)

3. The claim for disbelief in God

4. The claim for without belief in God

(vs. not making a choice when everything has its causes and effects, IS A CHOICE - Burden of Proof)​

* There are 320,000,000 Gods

Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.

Atheism is a Religion.



*

Premise 1: Who is an Atheist?

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

Premise 2: "Equiprobable, skeptical, improbable" means:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)​

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion: Atheism is a religion with 320,000,000 Gods
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



4. Pure Agnostic

God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.​

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

5. Weak Atheist

I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.​

skeptical​

1. not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

6. De-facto Atheist

I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

improbable​

1. not likely to be true or to happen.

synonyms: unlikely, not likely, doubtful, dubious, debatable, questionable, uncertain;
More: unexpected and apparently inauthentic.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

This is not very clear. You didn't even define religion.

 

[dianaiad]

Uhmn.....I'm a "strong theist" on that scale.

I would say, personally, that 'atheism' isn't a religion any more than 'theism' is. Religions get tucked in there, but one can be a theist without a specific religion.

By the same token I would say that most atheists are not 'religious..'

Definition of religion (Mirriam-Webster)
1a : the state of a religious a nun in her 20th year of religion
b(1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural
(2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Notice that all of the definitions of 'religion' require action, and a commitment to some organization whose members agree, more or less, with one.

Now if you substitute the term "opinion regarding deity" for "God" or "Supernatural,' (and you only have to do that with #b(1)) I think you can see where I'm going here. The other definitions can be used by pretty much anybody with a strong opinion...and faith...in something, whether it is "There is a God and I know who HE is and what He wants" or "there absolutely is NOT a God, and no possibility that one exists."

...........or....."stamp collecting is the single most important hobby anybody could possibly engage in."

So....while I think most theists are religious...or espouse some specific belief about God, I think that atheism as a whole is not. "Strong' atheism...those who are actively anti-theists, perhaps, or who join groups like 'American Atheists,' and who argue with theists on debate forums with terms like "religion is bad for children" (wow, evangelical much?) THEY are religious and belong to a fairly specific belief system. The problem here is that it isn't easy to quantify the numbers here. Most atheists just get on with their lives and don't give a hoot about what other people think. Those strong atheists who are down and determined to defeat the theists and beat them (metaphorically, at least) into submission, or at least into hiding, are the loud ones. They are the ones who write stuff, argue, climb on soap boxes....a very vocal minority.

(shrug)

Now me, I don't care. Let 'em preach and rant all they like. Let 'em operate their own schools to teach their opinions. That's their right and they should exercise it. Let them have parades, carry signs, picket people....That's what 'freedom of religion' is all about. It's only when they decide that they have the right to legislate OUR freedom of religion away that I get annoyed.

 

[Matheist]

This is not very clear. You didn't even define religion.

religion
/rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

synonyms: faith, belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology; More

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

2. a particular system of faith and worship.
plural noun: religions
"the world's great religions"

3. a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.

 

[ratiocinator]

The official definition of Atheism

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.

religion - The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

So, no, atheism quite obviously isn't a religon, so why would anybody be so keen to assert that it is?

Why does it matter to you?

 

[Curious George]

religion
/rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

synonyms: faith, belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology; More

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

2. a particular system of faith and worship.
plural noun: religions
"the world's great religions"

3. a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.

So under which defintion do you think athiests fall?

 

[Matheist]

So under which defintion do you think athiests fall?

Lack of belief includes "Equiprobable, skeptical, improbable", according to Richard Dawkins.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The official definition of Atheism

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.​

Conclusion

1. It is a religious claim, and not rooted in science, logic, philosophy etc.

2. The claim for belief in God (The Dawkin's Scale *)

3. The claim for disbelief in God

4. The claim for without belief in God

(vs. not making a choice when everything has its causes and effects, IS A CHOICE - Burden of Proof)​

* There are 320,000,000 Gods

Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.

Atheism is a Religion.



*

Premise 1: Who is an Atheist?

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

Premise 2: "Equiprobable, skeptical, improbable" means:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)​

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion: Atheism is a religion with 320,000,000 Gods
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



4. Pure Agnostic

God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.​

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

5. Weak Atheist

I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.​

skeptical​

1. not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

6. De-facto Atheist

I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

improbable​

1. not likely to be true or to happen.

synonyms: unlikely, not likely, doubtful, dubious, debatable, questionable, uncertain;
More: unexpected and apparently inauthentic.​

Therefore:

1. Disbelief in God(s)
2. Belief in God(s)
3. Therefore, the definition of Atheism asserts the belief in 320,000,000 Gods.​

The eyptomology is clear. Atheism is simply without Gods. A defacto position of which elicits various responses to the notion and ideology of theism.

Atheism cannot be a religion.

 

[Dawnofhope]

religion
/rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n/
noun

1. the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

synonyms: faith, belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology; More

Pure Agnostic: God's existence and non-existence are exactly EQUIPROBABLE.
Weak Atheist: I do not know whether God exists, but I'm declined to be SKEPTICAL.
De-facto Atheist: I cannot know for certain, but I think God is very IMPROBABLE.​

2. a particular system of faith and worship.
plural noun: religions
"the world's great religions"

3. a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.

Its reasonable to call atheism a worldview or ideology. It doesn't really fit the definition of a religion as understood by most people (1 above).

 

[Matheist]

The eyptomology is clear. Atheism is simply without Gods. A defacto position of which elicits various responses to the notion and ideology of theism.

Atheism cannot be a religion.

Not according to the expert etc, Richard Dawkins.

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.

skeptical

1. not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.​

improbable

1. not likely to be true or to happen.

synonyms: unlikely, not likely, doubtful, dubious, debatable, questionable, uncertain;
More: unexpected and apparently inauthentic.​

 

[Curious George]

Lack of belief includes "Equiprobable, skeptical, improbable", according to Richard Dawkins.

I don't think that answered my question.

 

[Matheist]

"certain knowledge is impossible," " not likely to be true," and equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.

1. Belief in God
2. Disbelief in God
​

Therefore, Atheism is a Religion.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Not according to the expert etc, Richard Dawkins.

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.

skeptical

1. not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
2. relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.​

improbable

1. not likely to be true or to happen.

synonyms: unlikely, not likely, doubtful, dubious, debatable, questionable, uncertain;
More: unexpected and apparently inauthentic.​

Dawkins is misrepresented by theists all the time. You first need to establish probability in order to validate something.

 

[Matheist]

AND there are at least four points we can infer from the official definition of Atheism:

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.​

Conclusion

1. It is a religious claim, and not rooted in science, logic, philosophy etc.
2. The claim for belief in God (The Dawkin's Scale *)
3. The claim for disbelief in God
4. The claim for without belief in God​

That is a Religion.

 

[viole]

religion - The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

So, no, atheism quite obviously isn't a religon, so why would anybody be so keen to assert that it is?

Why does it matter to you?

Of course it matters to them. And that is why they insist that atheism is a religion, a faith, or whatever.

It makes them feel less lonely, in their irrationality.

It is like saying, I know I believe silly things without a shred of evidence, but by not believing them, with the same lack of evidence, you are not better than me.

Ciao

- viole

 

[ratiocinator]

Not according to the expert etc, Richard Dawkins.

Who said he was an "expert etc." (whatever that is)?

equiprobable: (of two or more things) equally likely to occur; having EQUAL PROBABILITY.

Your appointed "expert etc." calls that "pure agnostic", so not even atheist. Even positive belief is god isn't (by itself) a religion:

religion The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Have you actually thought this through at all?

 

[Matheist]

Dawkins is misrepresented by theists all the time. You first need to establish probability in order to validate something.

Theists have established the probability and thus, the definition of Atheism:

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.​

 

[Matheist]

Have you actually thought this through at all?

You can verify yourself on the official definition of Atheism. I'm presenting the argument.

 

[ratiocinator]

AND there are at least four points we can infer from the official definition of Atheism:

atheism. n. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.
Conclusion

1. It is a religious claim, and not rooted in science, logic, philosophy etc.

Burden of proof (philosophy)
Russell's teapot

 

[Brickjectivity]

Usually when people want to assert that atheism is religious they are coming from the position that there is a God to deny, and they can only be correct if there is a God to deny. So what they leave out is that *if the atheists are wrong* then it is a religious position. Claiming that atheists are religious is actually a religious claim, an opinion in the grand scheme -- unless of course God exists and says it isn't. Either way its

RF does not take a position on it officially. We let atheists think they are whatever the like and let the theists think that atheists are whatever they like to think that atheists are.