Atheism is just another religion

[Tmac]

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

 

[proudpagan]

why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

Abrahamic Faiths in history have been the state religions to such a critical level that their texts became like authority . Pope in Christianity and Caliph in Islam . Read history uwu . I am a spiritual satanist / follower of vedic teachings and we dont divide people in class of believers or disbelievers . I am seeker of Truth and Truth alone!

 

[Tmac]

Abrahamic Faiths in history have been the state religions to such a critical level that their texts became like authority . Pope in Christianity and Caliph in Islam . Read history uwu . I am a spiritual satanist / follower of vedic teachings and we dont divide people in class of believers or disbelievers . I am seeker of Truth and Truth alone!

That's cool but why do you have to call yourself a spiritual satanist, why not just a seeker of truth?

 

[Jumi]

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

Some people care about words and people who are associated with those words. People pick labels that fit. You've picked "none" as a religion. It says you don't follow any religion. Would you defend your none-religion? If someone told you that people without religion are immoral, I think you'd disagree. If someone told you none-religious people are all controlled by demons and harbor ill thoughts of their neighbors you'd probably be amazed since it's of course not true. So one can easily see why discussions about atheism end up as they do.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe

It isn't.

Nor do we typically discuss our atheism with non-atheists outside of venues like this where we are asked about our atheism or challenged about it.

why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

It isn't.

Nor is it important to defend the concept of atheism, nor the choice to be an atheist. Atheism is the "no" answer to the question "Do you believe in a god or gods?" No, I don't, and I don't need to defend that position, but if you ask me why I hold it, I'll tell you.


Atheism is a religion like…

Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby.

Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color.

Atheism is a religion like transparent is a color

Atheism is a religion like health is a disease state.

Atheism is a religion like death is a lifestyle.

Atheism is a religion like nonsmoking is a habit or brand of cigarettes.

Atheism is a religion like fasting is a menu entree.

Atheism is a religion like unemployment is a job.

Atheism is a religion like nudity is a fashion line.

Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sexual position.

Atheism is a religion like off is a radio station and silence a song playing on it.

Atheism is a religion like barefoot is a shoe style

Atheism is a religion like “HTTP 404- File Not Found” is a website​

 

[jonathan180iq]

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

...because definitions are important in communication.

If we are both to going to label me an Atheist, then it's important that I define what I mean when I use that title and it's important for me to know what you mean when you use the word in reference to me.

The same is true for any adjective or title we give to anyone about anything.

Like this thread, when someone makes accusations about a group of people lumped under a very ill-defined and often misunderstood heading, why wouldn't we respond and attempt to clarify your claims?

There are countless types of theists, right? If I made a thread using a blanket statement about theists, I should expect any number of opposing theistic beliefs to chime in and correct my over simplification. For example, there are plenty of theists out there who aren't dogmatic and aren't religious in the least bit. So if I said, "Theists are Dogmatic Religionists!" I'd be chastised pretty quickly and my ignorance would soon be highlighted by all of the theists who aren't those things.

Your thread, and expectations, are no different.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

It's simple really.

Dominion Theology - Wikipedia

 

[shunyadragon]

It isn't.

Nor do we typically discuss our atheism with non-atheists outside of venues like this where we are asked about our atheism or challenged about it.



It isn't.

Nor is it important to defend the concept of atheism, nor the choice to be an atheist. Atheism is the "no" answer to the question "Do you believe in a god or gods?" No, I don't, and I don't need to defend that position, but if you ask me why I hold it, I'll tell you.


Atheism is a religion like…

Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby.

Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color.

Atheism is a religion like transparent is a color

Atheism is a religion like health is a disease state.

Atheism is a religion like death is a lifestyle.

Atheism is a religion like nonsmoking is a habit or brand of cigarettes.

Atheism is a religion like fasting is a menu entree.

Atheism is a religion like unemployment is a job.

Atheism is a religion like nudity is a fashion line.

Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sexual position.

Atheism is a religion like off is a radio station and silence a song playing on it.

Atheism is a religion like barefoot is a shoe style

Atheism is a religion like “HTTP 404- File Not Found” is a website​

Nudity can of course be a fashion line at a nudist camp, and abstinence can be a sexual position of one.

Nonetheless atheism is a belief system by definition, and even be considered a religion of non-belief. Pretty much all religions do not believe in certain things, and variations of Taoism, and Buddhism may be considered atheist.

 

[Altfish]

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

Because of the influence of religion on EVERYBODY's life.

 

[osgart]

atheism is an honest conclusion, as comparing reality, to a preferred, ideal existence that a God would provide. I consider this existence indifferent to life, and the desire to live.

the only thing I understand about a religious perspective is the desire for a preferred existence, and the need for justice, and civil peace. I can't justify all the violence done in the name of God, and the severe judgment for a lack of belief in one, or The One.

while I do think there is intelligence in nature, it isn't anything but mysterious as to why there is intelligent life whatsoever. there's no guiding truth in it.

I do seek truth, but that is an ideal that nature is totally indifferent to. nonetheless I have the conviction that truth be true exists. i see truth as a reality that anyone can come to know in their heart of hearts. like the great virtues.

 

[Jesster]

If atheism is a religion, then not playing baseball is a sport.

 

[Jumi]

Nonetheless atheism is a belief system by definition, and even be considered a religion of non-belief. Pretty much all religions do not believe in certain things, and variations of Taoism, and Buddhism may be considered atheist.

So Taoists and Buddhists follow the religion of atheism, the religion of non-belief?

 

[LuisDantas]

Atheism is just another religion

Hardly. I actually find such a statement offensive towards religion, which is supposed to at least be something, even when grossly misguided.

Atheism basically isn't anything, although it is still legitimate, deserves respect and is at least arguably all-out necessary as well as unavoidable.

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

You are correct. Many or even most of us do in fact "go what?". I know that I do.

It is in truth fascinating, often in a perhaps morbid way, to learn about god-concepts and their use and consequences.

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

And that is indeed basically the case. Or it would be, if theism did not exist and theists did not cause so much turbulence.

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

Theism's abuses must be warded against. Simple as that.

 

[LuisDantas]

So Taoists and Buddhists follow the religion of atheism, the religion of non-belief?

No. Non-belief is a meaningless expression without the specification of what is disbelieved, and therefore there is no "religion of non-belief" as such.

Nor is there even such a thing as a "religion of atheism" except perhaps by chance and circunstance. Atheism, of course, is simply not enough to characterize a belief system or a religion.

Truth be told, any self-respecting religion should be compatible with atheism or at least acknowledge that it is an odd duck for failing to do so.

 

[jonathan180iq]

If atheism is a religion, then not playing baseball is a sport.

Yup.

No one wants to talk about the fact that I'm an A-footbalist. But if someone wants to use that term to define me, and since it's technically true, I'm happy to further clarify the title for accuracy.

(For the record, what I think people mean to say when they refer to Atheism as a religion is that various facets of Atheism seem exhibit a shared epistemology. I think that's a true statement and something that's worth talking about with appropriately interested parties.)

Social Epistemology (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

I guess that is a testament to how your mind works. I personally have no problem examining such ludicrous and outlandish concepts such as you describe without becoming confused.

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

Would you like a cookie?

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

Militants? Give me a break.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

Generally as a response to the sort of lies and baiting on display right here.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

The defending part is obvious - a lot of different people try to pin all sorts of aberrant behaviors on the dreaded "atheists" using broad, blanket statements. And this sort of thing is simply too dumb to just stand by and watch. I probably could have been more eloquent there, but it isn't necessary. "Dumb" does the job just fine.

And as for letting one know the other what you believe - that's usually a byproduct of either side reacting to something dumb or over-reaching that is said by the other side. First you try and get the other to understand why you interpret what they are saying as dumb, and then you have to justify yourself with your beliefs on the topic - I mean, let's face it... what else has any of us got anyway?

 

[leibowde84]

I would think if I truely didn't believe in God there wouldn't be any room in all of my awareness and understanding for God and anytime I bumped up against that concept I'd have to go, What?

First I'd ask myself if there was anything missing in my life and if the answer was no then that would be it.

I've had so many threads hijacked by militants (both sides, mind you) to this cause and looking through the threads you will find the same behavior.

So I question, why would it be important for me to let other's know what I really don't believe, why is it important to defend the word, Atheism?

When people have an incorrect understanding of what the world "atheism" actually entails, they start making incorrect or dishonest assumptions about atheists. Atheism is merely the absence of theism. It is the lack of belief in the existence of God. So, it is not necessarily a position.

Many, if not most, atheists simply are withholding belief due to lack of evidence.

And, btw, if there is something missing from an atheist's life, why would you think that would be a sign to fraudulently believe in God? If an atheist is unconvinced by the evidence that God exists, they can't just choose to ignore it and start believing. That would be nothing more than being dishonest.

 

[leibowde84]

That's cool but why do you have to call yourself a spiritual satanist, why not just a seeker of truth?

Why wouldn't he call himself a spiritual satanist. Who cares what he calls himself. If that name offends anyone, that is completely, 100% on them.

 

[leibowde84]

If atheism is a religion, then not playing baseball is a sport.

Well-put.