Atheism is just another religion

[Chimowowo]

What I meant by the rose statement is that we are off on semantics about the definition of religion when the post was more about do we have faith. I might have to rethink my view on religion. I myself treat it as a religion. The US Courts have ruled that it's a religion in that it's protected under freedom of religion.

However if you want a better explination than mine, I found this:
http://www.restorethepledge.com/facts/sermon004.html

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Exactly. From what I see, atheism could best be defined as a 'way of thinking' - is that the same as a philosophy?

I think atheism is more of a philosophy than a religion. A religion is a beliefe in something, but athiest is a lack of beliefe.

 

[Scott1]

Seems that there are an awful lot of people spending time every day of their life thinking about, writing about, debating about something they are sure does not exsist... I guess I don't get it.... maybe mermaidforums.com has the same kind of thing happening there.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Seems that there are an awful lot of people spending time every day of their life thinking about, writing about, debating about something they are sure does not exsist... I guess I don't get it....

What don't you get, Scott?

 

[Malus 12:9]

maybe mermaidforums.com has the same kind of thing happening there.

That's a site? *copies and pastes url*.

As with Athiesm being a religion...nah. Why must everyone have religious beliefs? Does
everything have to do with religion?:areyoucra

 

[JerryL]

I think atheism is more of a philosophy than a religion. A religion is a beliefe in something, but athiest is a lack of beliefe.

So is everything I don't believe in an individual philosophy, or is there just one philosophy that covers every possability. Also, do only the things I've convieved count? Or does it cover the things I don't believe in but have never thought of?

Seems that there are an awful lot of people spending time every day of their life thinking about, writing about, debating about something they are sure does not exsist...

Yep. People do that all the time. Look at every time a theist has discussed a different religion.

This is my favorite though: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mzombiepower.html

 

[Scott1]

What don't you get, Scott?

Why an atheist would spend so much time thinking about God... it is hard for me to work my tiny brain around the concept... I guess maybe it is fun (?) interesting (?)... I don't know... like I said, you would not find me a mermaidforums.com, ghostforums.com (or cubsforums.com for that matter ) etc etc.... why debate a topic that I personally find utterly idiotic?.... something would have to mean an awful lot to me for me to waste my time posting at such a place.... maybe that's it: maybe some atheists want to "save" theists from a life of delusion... who knows.... but thanks for chatting about it!

 

[michel]

Why an atheist would spend so much time thinking about God... it is hard for me to work my tiny brain around the concept... I guess maybe it is fun (?) interesting (?)... I don't know... like I said, you would not find me a mermaidforums.com, ghostforums.com (or cubsforums.com for that matter ) etc etc.... why debate a topic that I personally find utterly idiotic?.... something would have to mean an awful lot to me for me to waste my time posting at such a place.... maybe that's it: maybe some atheists want to "save" theists from a life of delusion... who knows.... but thanks for chatting about it!

From what I understand of American society (most of which is from this forum) is that Religion is thrust at everyone, in all situations, on a day to day basis.

I think I would be irked if people were permanently telling me I was damned, doomed and will be punished for it at some later date. To the atheist, we are (I think) at best emotionally illogical. Maybe that upsets them, especially when people try to 'convert them.'

 

[Scott1]

From what I understand of American society (most of which is from this forum) is that Religion is thrust at everyone, in all situations, on a day to day basis.

I guess my personal situation is different... but, I don't think it would matter much to me.... there are a lot of things "thrust" at me (politics/porn etc) ... I just have a hard time viewing such devotion to attacking theism as anything other than a belief system.

I think I would be irked if people were permanently telling me I was damned, doomed and will be punished for it at some later date. To the atheist, we are (I think) at best emotionally illogical. Maybe that upsets them, especially when people try to 'convert them.'

I guess I am "wired" differently... oh well... maybe this thread will help me understand.

 

[JerryL]

Why an atheist would spend so much time thinking about God...

Two atheists in a room rarely, if ever, discuss God. It's just not a topic we think of.

Then we come to a philosophical forum (such as a religious forum) and God is a major topic. So we discuss it... at least those of us inclined enough to discuss it to seek out a religious forum in the first place.

Why do you discuss a lack of God? You don't believe in that.

 

[Jaymes]

Scott, I assume atheists enjoy thinking about God the same way I enjoy thinking about unicorns, gryphons and kitsune. It's just fun to do.

 

[Green Gaia]

Why an atheist would spend so much time thinking about God... it is hard for me to work my tiny brain around the concept... I guess maybe it is fun (?) interesting (?)... I don't know... like I said, you would not find me a mermaidforums.com, ghostforums.com (or cubsforums.com for that matter ) etc etc.... why debate a topic that I personally find utterly idiotic?.... something would have to mean an awful lot to me for me to waste my time posting at such a place.... maybe that's it: maybe some atheists want to "save" theists from a life of delusion... who knows.... but thanks for chatting about it!

Maybe because an atheist does not believe in a deity, but still has the same questions about life that drive others to seek out an organized religion. The "impulse of cohesion and meaning" is not limited to those who believe in god(s). I think the confusion comes into play when atheists are assumed to be (and some by themselves) to be anti-religion. I think some people assume that if you do not believe in any god(s) then you have no religion, and that just isn't true. Ask our Buddhist friends about that.

 

[Scott1]

Two atheists in a room rarely, if ever, discuss God. It's just not a topic we think of.

That is a helpful insight... I'm don't believe it... if the members here are the "average joe-atheist" but I'll give it some thougt.

So we discuss it... at least those of us inclined enough to discuss it to seek out a religious forum in the first place.

It is the seeking out part of this that I am stuck on... like I said, I guess I'm just wired differently.

Why do you discuss a lack of God? You don't believe in that.

Ummm.... what?
I am a religious person who joined a religious forum to learn about religion (not too hard to understand, I'd say).... and there are atheists who are certain there is no higher power and yet choose to waste their time chatting about it 5-10 times a day.... like I said before, Jerry, I just don't get it.... the extreme desire ( a need it seems like) to spend ones days "shooting fish in a barrell" just seems idiotic to me. Oh well.. to each his own.

 

[Scott1]

Scott, I assume atheists enjoy thinking about God the same way I enjoy thinking about unicorns, gryphons and kitsune. It's just fun to do.

You are sure that these things don't exist and spend almost every day seeking out those who do to explain to them why their beliefs are foolish?

No?

Then it is not the same way.

 

[Scott1]

Maybe because an atheist does not believe in a deity, but still has the same questions about life that drive others to seek out an organized religion. The "impulse of cohesion and meaning" is not limited to those who believe in god(s). I think the confusion comes into play when atheists are assumed to be (and some by themselves) to be anti-religion. I think some people assume that if you do not believe in any god(s) then you have no religion, and that just isn't true. Ask our Buddhist friends about that.

That helps a bit... I guess my problem with your thinking is that I see very little answers coming from an "atheist perspective" on this site... we are chock full of reasons of what NOT to believe and why NOT to believe it, but very little philosophy on what cohesion and meaning comes from atheist philosophy.

 

[jewscout]

i don't know if atheism is a "religion" or not, it's not a pressing issue for me at the moment, but i will say this, i've run into a few of them who try to "proselytize" (for lack of a better term) harder than some who are part of a "religion".

 

[michel]

I guess my personal situation is different... but, I don't think it would matter much to me.... there are a lot of things "thrust" at me (politics/porn etc) ... I just have a hard time viewing such devotion to attacking theism as anything other than a belief system.
I guess I am "wired" differently... oh well... maybe this thread will help me understand.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not one of those who tell people they are going to be punished etc etc. But I think you and I know one or two members who think that way about "non-believers" - please don't for a moment think I am taking a pot-shot any one. I just prefer to keep myself to myself; if someone asks me, I'll talk; I just won't initiate discussions.

 

[Green Gaia]

That helps a bit... I guess my problem with your thinking is that I see very little answers coming from an "atheist perspective" on this site... we are chock full of reasons of what NOT to believe and why NOT to believe it, but very little philosophy on what cohesion and meaning comes from atheist philosophy.

Well, the atheist philosophy would only say that there is no God or no proof of God. Beyond that I think you would have to look to the person's other beliefs to define the rest of their philosophy and answer the cohesion and meaning question. So I one could say that atheism (or no belief in deities) cannot answer the cohesion and meaning question and is therefore not a religion. Viola! I've proved right what I said on the first page! Atheism is not a religion. :bounce

But, I see what you're saying Scott, and sometimes I wonder if some of those who call themselves Atheist (and the rest of us too) really know where the meaning of that term begins and ends. You and I both would be considered Theists, even though many of our other beliefs are very different. In my opinion, Theist and Atheist are both too broad of terms to use when discussing individual beliefs. They both convey one concept only: belief, or non-belief, in God.

 

[Jaymes]

You are sure that these things don't exist and spend almost every day seeking out those who do to explain to them why their beliefs are foolish?

No?

Then it is not the same way.

I'm about 99% sure unicorns and gryphons don't exist, and foxes don't live to be 50, so yea, I'm sure they don't exist. And if anyone goes on about how they could be out there but we haven't found them yet, I usually correct them.

You have to remember not all atheists do that, though.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

But, I see what you're saying Scott, and sometimes I wonder if some of those who call themselves Atheist (and the rest of us too) really know where the meaning of that term begins and ends.

I fully know where it begins and ends for me.