Did atheism transform into a religion?

[Demonslayer]

On your other point: atheists coming out in full force.
We are coming out for many reasons.
Countries have become more free, so atheists don't have to hide in the atheist closet there anymore.
America got its act straightened up a bit (a C instead of a G now) and atheists want rights and respect.
We are currently the most distrusted group, equal to rapists on the trust scale.
There is no logic behind that, no sufficient evidence as to why it should be so.
It's based on bigotry and idiocy.

We're kinda tired of stupid people.
We also might want political rights as well.
You basically cannot get into to politics in America without being religious.
Though, there are definitely atheists in office.
But you shouldn't have to lie to get a job you're good at.

This. As late as 1987 the President of the United States said atheists should be considered neither citizens or patriots. Imagine you hold beliefs that the President says should disallowed you from being an American?

This is the kind of thing we're defending against. And the powerful religious lobbyists threatening to legislate based on religious belief. And things like creationists trying to set back American children by forcing creationism in public school science classes.

To be very honest, the old "atheists are defending nothingness" is a tired old line and makes you seem sort of ignorant.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

atheism, what is this thing? why are atheists ready to defend atheism? Is atheism the absence of religion?

atheists these days have come out full force ardently defending nothingness (thats what atheists claim). Atheism the belief of not believing or could it be the absence of belief or the mind-state consciously rejecting a belief. Atheism does not have a structure nor a belief system nor a straight thorough clear cut answers to questions. Many say I "believe" in science, I ask myself curiously has science become their religion? Which manual do atheists follow that determine themselves as atheist. Some atheists will jump into the discussion defending their point of view but I again ask myself why the need to do so?? If they have nothing to lose (they don't believe), why the rush to defend a belief of no belief??... Unless...

Atheism has become into a religion. That is the only plausible answer. One of Religion's purposes is to call people to align to their way of belief and to teach others the way life should be lived. Now atheism proselytize their way of thinking and system of beliefs. Is it true that atheism has become a way of life or rather a full blown religion?

A philosophy for sure. There are all kinds of atheist philosophies about now. And by that I don't mean that atheism is defined by these philosophies but rather these philosophies simply exist under the larger umbrella of atheism.

 

[Deathbydefault]

I also really don't like being told to "keep quiet".
Actually, I almost hate it.

It would be the same as me saying "if you don't have empirical evidence for a God, don't bother talking about one".

 

[Monk Of Reason]

I also really don't like being told to "keep quiet".
Actually, I almost hate it.

It would be the same as me saying "if you don't have empirical evidence for a God, don't bother talking about one".

There is a big difference between someone telling you to shut up about god if one is simply voicing an opinion and beliefs. It is another to point out that those beliefs are not based on evidence and therefore unreliable in a debate. Which angers you? The first, second or both ?

 

[Jumi]

atheism, what is this thing?

It's when someone doesn't believe in any of the gods.

why are atheists ready to defend atheism?

There isn't much to defend.

Is atheism the absence of religion?

No, but often an atheist also has no religion.

atheists these days have come out full force ardently defending nothingness (thats what atheists claim).

I've never seen atheists claim to defend nothingness. This sounds like it was purely your own claim.

Atheism does not have a structure nor a belief system nor a straight thorough clear cut answers to questions.

Well that doesn't sound like a religion to me. Does it sound like one to you?

Some atheists will jump into the discussion defending their point of view but I again ask myself why the need to do so?? If they have nothing to lose (they don't believe), why the rush to defend a belief of no belief??... Unless...

This is merely a misunderstanding. People like to discuss and debate things.

Atheism has become into a religion. That is the only plausible answer.

It's not a plausible answer. Just because you don't like religion, it doesn't mean, you get to lump us into it.

One of Religion's purposes is to call people to align to their way of belief and to teach others the way life should be lived.

This must be true of your religion.

Now atheism proselytize their way of thinking and system of beliefs.

Tell me what system of beliefs the atheists share. It's not science, liberalism, republicanism, "evolutionism" or even anti-religion.

Is it true that atheism has become a way of life or rather a full blown religion?

Nope.

 

[Deathbydefault]

There is a big difference between someone telling you to shut up about god if one is simply voicing an opinion and beliefs. It is another to point out that those beliefs are not based on evidence and therefore unreliable in a debate. Which angers you? The first, second or both ?

I don't think I quite follow.
The OP, and many of his posts in this thread, have said that since atheists don't have a belief we need to just be quiet. I reversed it on him in my previous post.

If I don't have the right to talk about beliefs condoned by God, due to my atheism,
then the person evoking God doesn't have the right to do so without empirical evidence of its existence.

I thought that was quite fair, did I make a mistake?

 

[Noa]

Frankly, anyone who says 'you must X, Y, or Z before you can speak on this topic' is almost always just trying to shut down a conversation when they feel they are ahead. It is silly. There are very rare situations where that sort of argument has any validity.

 

[Monk Of Reason]

I don't think I quite follow.
The OP, and many of his posts in this thread, have said that since atheists don't have a belief we need to just be quiet. I reversed it on him in my previous post.

If I don't have the right to talk about beliefs condoned by God, due to my atheism,
then the person evoking God doesn't have the right to do so without empirical evidence of its existence.

I thought that was quite fair, did I make a mistake?

I probably just misread you. Don't worry about it.

 

[Awkward Fingers]

Quick question... Read the OP, is it worth catching up on this, or does it just continue with strawmen all the way down?

 

[Deathbydefault]

Don't worry, they're easy to spot and skip (since they're everywhere...)

 

[icehorse]

Back to the OP,

I wonder if pro4life is thinking about people like me, anti-theists? Hey there pro4life, I'm not just an atheist, I'm an anti-theist. I think theism is harmful. More specifically, I strongly believe in the separation of church and state. When theists keep their theistic beliefs to themselves, I don't care. On the other hand, when theists attempt to screw up society based on their theistic beliefs, that's when I take umbrage.

Maybe I'm the kind of person you're talking about?

 

[Twilight Hue]

It seems the way you replied shows some frustration. If an atheist is an atheist why does he/she need to defend themselves. They don't believe in anything.

There is nothing to defend. Atheism is a response. Not a religion.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Imagines if athiesm is a religion:

Place of worship:

"Um. We can go to Bob's house?"
"Naw. He's new atheist let's go to Fred's house?"
"Naw. He's a Old atheist"
"Okay. What about Jane?!"
"Jane's cool. She's an atheist"

Beliefs:

God existence:

We dont believe God exist only to exclude we cant make the bold claim because it would be wrong even though it is wrong, we can still make the claim of disbelief. (Which would make atheists agnostics at heart? Why disbelief in the existence in something you admit "could" exist. Atheism is fickled.)

What about God/s as archetypes? Symbolism?

We believe God does not exist only to use the word for archetypes that define his existence in the same way theist claim their God exist just, for some reason, saying archetype makes God less existent than a theist making God fact. (Maybe makes atheist have leeway?)

We believe God does not exist but we do believe we werenot created from nothing (interesting claim. God is not just an abrahamic god. Creators come in different forms and def. So who or what created you? Just because we dont call it god doesnt mean it doesnt act as the general definition of the Term (taking away gender and associated religions at he moment)

Practices:

"Okay. Everyone together. One. Two. Three. 'There is no God.' Again" while we look at the empty tebanacle. We do this every morning. (Reconfirming our disbelief? I dont believe; I dont believe.)

Holy Book: A gold, 4,000 page blank book.

Prayers:

Our invisible concept, who are't nowhere.
What is your name?
Nothing comes, nothing be done.
On earth as well as well as it is no where else

Give us this day our invisible bread
Forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who tresspass against us

Lead us not onto temptation
But deliver us from no place

For thy nonwhere, thy concept of power and glory are yours
From now until forever

Amen.

(Bouched up prayer)

Communion

Each atheist shapes his hand into a cup and the other flat. The bishop with no clothing poors no wine into each cup. He holds a place no one can see and let each atheist take a small piece. Each consume communion.

(Think of Peter Pan with Robin Williams)

Atheist religion.

 

[psychoslice]

Actually it should be the opposite. If you believe you have a better way of life, YOU should try to teach it and spread it. But if you have no belief in the first place, then stay quiet.

Ha, it doesn't work like that, you have a belief that cannot be proven, I don't need a beliefs, this is why I am free to be who I want, and I would never want others to be like me, they are free to be themselves.

 

[pro4life]

Ha, it doesn't work like that. your the one with the belief in a god, the ball is in your court, I am just living my life, not needing any belief system to make me feel better, life itself is enough, no need to spread it, if I did, it then would become a belief system just as you have.

Says the one with 7000+ comments in "religious forums"

 

[dust1n]

Atheism has become into a religion. That is the only plausible answer. One of Religion's purposes is to call people to align to their way of belief and to teach others the way life should be lived. Now atheism proselytize their way of thinking and system of beliefs. Is it true that atheism has become a way of life or rather a full blown religion?

So there is nothing special about religion then. It's about as useful and true as atheism.

 

[Demonslayer]

Oh good another 'atheism is a religon' thread.

 

[pro4life]

Back to the OP,

I wonder if pro4life is thinking about people like me, anti-theists? Hey there pro4life, I'm not just an atheist, I'm an anti-theist. I think theism is harmful. More specifically, I strongly believe in the separation of church and state. When theists keep their theistic beliefs to themselves, I don't care. On the other hand, when theists attempt to screw up society based on their theistic beliefs, that's when I take umbrage.

Maybe I'm the kind of person you're talking about?

Anti-thiest --- so you are against religion. You will say and do things that is against religion. You will proclaim ideas that negate religion. You sir here and your anti-thiest friends have a strict goal to achieve, a movement of some sort. This movement recently in the last decade has blown up into a religion, with policies regulations and set of beliefs. Take for example the church of Scientology-- boom all are atheists.

 

[Princeps Eugenius]

"Atheists" are a bunch of people seeking for a community, who are tired of Christianity. It has truly become a sort of "church" of atheists and agnostics. Where the people will come together on some internet site and ***** about how atheists how ougth to behave and what an atheist is to be. The secular world is desperate to find a community to find themselves in, that isnt saturated with mythological and unscientific worldviews. So they go to youtube channels and blogs where they ***** about what isnt atheist enough or where they make fun of the stupidity of belivers.

 

[Demonslayer]

I wonder if pro4life is thinking about people like me, anti-theists? Hey there pro4life, I'm not just an atheist, I'm an anti-theist. I think theism is harmful. More specifically, I strongly believe in the separation of church and state. When theists keep their theistic beliefs to themselves, I don't care. On the other hand, when theists attempt to screw up society based on their theistic beliefs, that's when I take umbrage.

Maybe I'm the kind of person you're talking about?

I'm pretty much the same way, and yes we are the kinds of people the OP...and the hundred other "atheism is a religion" threads are talking about.

It's still incorrect to call atheism a religion, however. There is no story, no tale, no moral code, no Gods, demi-gods, no angels no demons, no nothing in common whatsoever.

All this accusation is, is sad bellyaching from defensive theists as they watch their numbers dwindle year after year. For a long time no one dared say anything about religion, the bully religious majority would destroy you. I'll repeat once again that in 1987...less than 30 years ago...George Bush stated publically that atheist should not be considered American citizens, nor patriots. Theists...specifically Christians in America...were insulated from any criticism at all.

These days we can criticize, and boy, they really aren't used to it. Say one small thing and it's "the war on Christianity" or "these arrogant atheists, boy they just won't shut up." Such thin skin. If your religion is so great, defend it on merit, don't complain about atheists who might criticize. Until the President of the United States tells you people of your religion shouldn't be considered American citizens, you have no idea what real criticism is like, so stop with the thin skin whining act.