Is atheism a religion?

[gnostic]

The logic can only be seen be people with open minds. One person believes there is a God. Another person believes there are many Gods. And anothere person believes there is no God. These are all religious beliefs because they relate to God. Atheists just will not admit they have religious beliefs but that does not make it true any more than there belief that thwere is no God makes it true.

But religion all come with rituals, prayers, worship, and belief in soul/spirit and in afterlife (eg resurrection, reincarnation, etc) and some sort of miracles (supernatural events).

Particularly the “WORSHIP” part.

All of these are absence in atheism.

All you are trying to do is redefine the word terminology to suit your warped logic.

Belief or the lack of don’t always denote “religion”.

For instance, I don’t believe in the vegetarian way of life, of just eating fruit and vegetables only.

It doesn’t make those who favoured vegetarians, worshipping fruit of vegetables, or me, worshipping meat. It doesn’t make meat, vegetables or fruit, “religion”.

All atheists are saying that they don’t believe in god. That doesn’t make atheism a religion.

If we looked at ancient polytheistic religion, belief is one thing, but religion is something else.

For instance, in ancient Athens, the Athenians believed in many gods, both that of Olympian gods and what considered to be minor deities.

But many Athenians just focused their worship or religion on just one or some gods and goddesses (eg Athena, Poseidon, Zeus, Hestia), but the rest they ignored.

In the town of Eleusis, for instance, while the people believed in many deities, the focus of their religion were mainly on Demeter and Persephone.

As you can see, what people believe, don’t necessarily mean they worship what they believe in.

But getting back to my points, what people believe or don’t believe, don’t always defaulted to being a “religion”.

I have some Christians who accused atheists not only being godless, but also accusing them of being followers of Devil/Satan, which is really stupid, since atheists don’t believe in the Bible, and therefore don’t believe in the devil anymore than they would believe in the Christian god.

I am by the way, agnostic, not atheist.

And as I understand it, while theists “believe” that god exist and atheists “don’t believe” that god exist, it is all about matter of “belief” and “non-belief”, not about any specific religion.

Agnosticism, on the other referred to knowing”, not “belief” or “non-belief. Agnostics, generally, don’t think it is possible to know if god or gods exist or don’t exist.

But agnosticism isn’t a religion too. It is simply philosophical position of regarding to the existence of any deity.

Agnosticism, particularly those who don’t call themselves agnostic theists, don’t worship any being, don’t have any ritual performed, and they certainly don’t necessarily believe in spirits, soul and some forms of afterlife, hence agnosticism isn’t a religion.

 

[Bear Wild]

I realize atheism doesn't claim to be a religion. And I'm only referring to those atheists who feel they must convert God-believers to atheism, or else these God-believers will destroy civilization.

There is an intensity of emotion, an anger, an urgency in these atheists' interactions that remind me of fundamentalist religious adherents. As if the same religious impulses and zeal are operational in both.

That said, I agree that it has bad effects on society when people reject provable knowledge about the physical universe obtained via the scientific method, especially when large groups do so.

Also, the kind of God you believe in matters. A God who commits genocide on innocents, and who commands angels and humans to do likewise; belief in this kind of God will obviously have bad consequences for society. Also, a God who judges small transgressions by torture and execution. Also, a God who promotes an infer role in society for women, for example. Or promotes slavery.

Also, merely claiming that there is intelligent design without demonstrating at least a possible mechanism that the intelligent designer could interact with the physical atoms and molecules to implement his/her design; this is not science, nor is it responsible. For example, you might suppose that the intelligent designer fiddles around with the motions of atoms. But would he/she violate the laws of physics in doing so? There is no known mechanism for this fiddling. And how could anyone, even a super-intellect, possibly know the consequences of doing such a thing? The biochemical systems of life are simply too complex for this kind of predictive power. And why would God even want to micromanage the universe at the atomic level anyway?

Also, claiming that God provides a moral basis for society is false. Especially when the holy books of the revealed religions and revealed spiritual paths are fiction, and clearly and provably contradict science, archaeology, document analysis, and logic.

This world contains pain and suffering. Claiming that God is good but created bad is illogical. Claiming that God is good but he/she allowed for pain and suffering implies God is not so good after all. And claiming that people being tortured to death and animals eating each other alive is desirable for a higher good is an offensive idea. And claiming that God is both good and bad means God is not God.

So within these constraints, atheists should allow for belief in God. But note that such a God has no effect whatsoever on the physical world at all, and his/her influence can only enter into our minds to bring goodness and justice and beauty and joy and peace. Why should anyone object to a God like that?

I would prefer if atheists would limit their critiques of belief in God to critiques of the specific ideas such as I've outlined above. And that they would be calm and rational and polite in their demeanor. I was needlessly a Christian for 30 years because I was offended by the rage of atheists, and so, rejected their views out of hand.

Are you talking about atheism of religions naturalism? The later addressed the philosophical questions of religion without the need of a god. Atheist is a broad term including many people of different beliefs that do not believe in a god or goddess.

 

[shunyadragon]

Atheism is a religion that requires nothing of its members, causing some to ask, "how is that a religion?"

Atheism is not a religion any more than Theism is. It is a religious belief that no Gods exist. The Atheist Churches would be an example of a religion that believes in atheism.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

There are atheistic religions. But religions require a series o tenants and rituals, not just one. 'I do not believe in gods' is not enough foundation for a religion. Ditto 'I believe in gods.' Theism obviously has many religions under that umbrella. But it is not, in of itself, a religion.

 

[Truly Enlightened]

. . . because the atheist churches exist and the believers are atheists. Remember I am arguing for atheism as a religious belief in different religions, and not that atheism is a religion



Only vaguely true, I have been in attendance with many different UUs over the past 50 years+, and by far the majority of thise that are from Jewish, Christian, Hinduism and Buddhism consider themselves atheists, as atheism is common among Jews. The UU members that consider themselves Christians believe in a humanist non-Theist Jesus like Thomas Jefferson.



Present day Unitarian Universalism is NOT based on Christian and Protestant doctrines, despite your misplaced assertion.

Whether you are arguing that Atheism as a religious belief, by itself or within another religion, you would still be wrong. It is a specific personal belief that a God does not exist, because of the total lack of evidence. Choosing a belief system that also does not believe in a God, is just misleading and dishonest. Name me one of these Atheist churches. I know the names of hundreds of different churches, but I've never heard of the Church of Atheism. Or, the New Church of Atheistic Enlightenment. You made the claim, now what is your evidence?

Atheism is not a religion. I know that the definition for a religion is so broad, that any special interest or group, can also be considered a religion. If you wish to keep playing this semantics game, using religion in the loosest possible sense of the definition that atheism is a religion, then be my guest. But most atheists know that their personal position, is based entirely on the total lack of evidence supporting any God claims. It is only because of the potential for members in Atheist and Free Thinking organizations, to become ministers and clergymen, that have led the IRS to categorize Atheism as a religion. The Government, the legal system, and the Constitution, have for decades, struggled to delineate between church, religion, and philosophy. But if we simple ignore all the other aspects that define a religion, then confirmation bias is what we have left(IRS).

Atheists Don’t Want Religious Tax Breaks They’re Granted | Care2 Causes

Anyone can look up the churches and beliefs of the Unitarians, an see that it is a CHRISTAIN theology, based on the belief in ONE God(not three). This applies today as it did in the past. Regarding Unitarian Universalism, you seem to be peddling half-truths again. Present day Unitarian Universalism is not based ONLY on Christian and Protestant doctrine. Like the Baha'i faith it also is a composite of many different religious beliefs.

 

[Derek500]

Truly Enlightened, one of my cousins is actually a Priest in our local Church of Atheism. He became a Priest in his own Church because becoming some (official) Priest in some (official) Church grants him the rights to legally officiate at weddings and funerals and sign those legal forms. If people want to call him religious because of it he's quite fine with that. He would pray to the Holy FSM to touch those present with a Holy Tentacle to mend their ways.

He officiates officially in the name of the church at gay weddings, too. And he directs those couples to people who bake gay wedding cakes, too.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

. . . because the atheist churches exist and the believers are atheists. Remember I am arguing for atheism as a religious belief in different religions, and not that atheism is a religion

Exactly what are you calling an "atheist church?" Can you give examples?

 

[tayla]

Do you think that theism is a religion?

The institutional grouping of people having a set of fixed beliefs is a religion. Perhaps there are lone theists out there; whether they are practicing religion, it's a question of semantics.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The institutional grouping of people having a set of fixed beliefs is a religion. Perhaps there are lone theists out there; whether they are practicing religion, it's a question of semantics.

I asked if you considered theism a religion... i.e. a single religion. Do you think that all theists belong to the same religion?

 

[shunyadragon]

Exactly what are you calling an "atheist church?" Can you give examples?

From: The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or ‘Atheist Churches,’ More Than Doubled Over One Weekend


The number of so-called “atheist churches” more than doubled this past weekend.

On Sept. 28, 35 towns around the world launched new Sunday Assembly groups for secular humanists, freethinkers, skeptics, atheists and agnostics who want a sense of community — without having to deal with any of the God stuff.

“The central idea we have to spread is that we have only one life, which means that life has to be lived to the fullest,” Mano Singham said to a newly-formed godless congregation in Strongsville, Ohio. “There is no second chance, no opportunity to have a do-over, there is no afterlife where wrongs are righted and cosmic justice meted out to the evildoers.”

The U.S. has been a particularly fruitful ground for this type of thinking, with 16 new congregations starting last weekend.

The meetings are filled with songs—Bon Jovi, Journey and Monty Python seem to be favorites—readings, and even a moment of silence where congregants are left alone with their own thoughts.

Some of the congregations intend to organize small groups, where a few people can gather to read books and discuss philosophy.

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

 

[shunyadragon]

Whether you are arguing that Atheism as a religious belief, by itself or within another religion, you would still be wrong. It is a specific personal belief that a God does not exist, because of the total lack of evidence. Choosing a belief system that also does not believe in a God, is just misleading and dishonest. Name me one of these Atheist churches. I know the names of hundreds of different churches, but I've never heard of the Church of Atheism. Or, the New Church of Atheistic Enlightenment. You made the claim, now what is your evidence?

The existence of specifically atheist churches as cited.

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

 

[Truly Enlightened]

Truly Enlightened, one of my cousins is actually a Priest in our local Church of Atheism. He became a Priest in his own Church because becoming some (official) Priest in some (official) Church grants him the rights to legally officiate at weddings and funerals and sign those legal forms. If people want to call him religious because of it he's quite fine with that. He would pray to the Holy FSM to touch those present with a Holy Tentacle to mend their ways.

He officiates officially in the name of the church at gay weddings, too. And he directs those couples to people who bake gay wedding cakes, too.

I don't do Gay Weddings.

 

[Woberts]

Truly Enlightened, one of my cousins is actually a Priest in our local Church of Atheism. He became a Priest in his own Church because becoming some (official) Priest in some (official) Church grants him the rights to legally officiate at weddings and funerals and sign those legal forms. If people want to call him religious because of it he's quite fine with that. He would pray to the Holy FSM to touch those present with a Holy Tentacle to mend their ways.

He officiates officially in the name of the church at gay weddings, too. And he directs those couples to people who bake gay wedding cakes, too.

That's not atheism, that's Pastafarianism.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

From: The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or ‘Atheist Churches,’ More Than Doubled Over One Weekend


The number of so-called “atheist churches” more than doubled this past weekend.

On Sept. 28, 35 towns around the world launched new Sunday Assembly groups for secular humanists, freethinkers, skeptics, atheists and agnostics who want a sense of community — without having to deal with any of the God stuff.

“The central idea we have to spread is that we have only one life, which means that life has to be lived to the fullest,” Mano Singham said to a newly-formed godless congregation in Strongsville, Ohio. “There is no second chance, no opportunity to have a do-over, there is no afterlife where wrongs are righted and cosmic justice meted out to the evildoers.”

The U.S. has been a particularly fruitful ground for this type of thinking, with 16 new congregations starting last weekend.

The meetings are filled with songs—Bon Jovi, Journey and Monty Python seem to be favorites—readings, and even a moment of silence where congregants are left alone with their own thoughts.

Some of the congregations intend to organize small groups, where a few people can gather to read books and discuss philosophy.

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

You think that Sunday Assembly is a church?

What about it do you think qualifies it as a church?

 

[`mud]

The use of the `name` `churches` is inappropriate here,
these are meeting of assemblies, not for worship, as in a `church`.
I would choose a bowling alley, but to one's own I guess.
And not necessarily on Sunday.
And mostly other than atheists !

 

[ecco]

A religion is something that people believe without a lot of proof. Atheists have many things that they believe without a lot ( or any ) proof. Therefore atheism is a religion.

All dogs poop. People poop. Therefore people are dogs.

Great logic. Did you learn that in church?

No I learned atheist poop is different from Chrisyian poop.

What's really sad is that I don't know if you are being serious or if you are just trying to deflect from your original, deeply flawed, "logical conclusion" about religion and atheism. I have heard a lot of nonsense from theists who believe they are superior, so it could be that you are being serious. On the other hand, I have seen many ridiculous posts by theists who then later try to tap dance and weasel out.

Your logic in comparing poop to religious beliefs is flawed but you of course can't see that using atheist logic.

See, that's another problem. I wasn't comparing poop to religious belief. I used an analogy to show how nonsensically wrong your original comment was. The fact that you didn't understand the analogy is indicative of ...

Furthermore, it's ridiculous that you would use the term "atheist logic". There is no such thing as atheist logic. Logic is logic and the rules governing its use are quite specific. You should acquaint yourself with these rules to spare yourself further embarrassment.

 

[ecco]

Is anybody's non-collection of stamps a hobby?

My grandfather was a philatelist. I am an aphilatelist.

 

[ecco]

The existence of specifically atheist churches as cited.

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

church
/CHərCH/
noun

1. 1.
   a building used for public Christian worship.
   "they came to church with me"
   synonyms: place of worship, house of God, house of worship; More

There seems to be a disconnect between Webster the unnamed author of the HuffPost article. If we were to accept the HuffPost version, the the local VFW Hall would be a church. The Waffle House would be a church.

 

[Truly Enlightened]

The existence of specifically atheist churches as cited.

The Number Of Sunday Assemblies, Or 'Atheist Churches,' More Than Doubled Over One Weekend | HuffPost

Please correct me if I'm wrong. The meaning of the word "church" has evolved from a gathering of people, a place of worship, a gathering of Christians, a group of believers, the Body of Christ, to a particular denomination. All require some kind of worshipping ritual, something to worship, some tenet to follow, some spirituality or religious doctrine, some supernatural, existential, or metaphysical belief, or some form of religious hierarchy. Atheism has none of these things.The entire atheist credo can be summed up in 4 words(No Evidence, No God). Why is it so important to make a disbelief in a God, a religion in itself anyway?

I think that this "Sunday Assembly" is a parody. Otherwise, all town-hall meetings are religious. All sporting events are religious, All marriages, births, and funerals are religious events. Alcoholic Anonymous is a religion. Where do you draw the line? What determines what is a religion and what isn't? I'm really not interested in your games of semantics. I'm sure most people can tell the difference between religious organizations and non-religious gatherings, without the clever semantics of calling them Atheist churches. At least the people at these assemblies are free from the religious shackles of guilt, fear, and voluntary servitude to a figment of their imagination. Maybe the Hippies counterculture of free-love, drugs, music, and peace should also be called a religion.

If you want to call any gathering of humanist, secularist, rationalist, or free-thinkers, an atheist church, no one cares. I think that it is only common sense if you don't believe in God, that you are not religious. Since the Bible's definitions of a religion and a church, includes the act of worshipping and a belief in Christ and God, Atheism can't be a church or a religion from a biblical perspective.

If Atheist say that they don't believe in God, they are told that they are Believers and Atheism is their Belief. If Atheists say that Atheism is not a Religion, they are told that Atheism is a Religion because a Religion is also a belief in Atheism. If Atheist say they don't attend a church to worship Atheism, they are told that they have Atheist churches to worship their Atheism. Soon there won't be a clear separation between a believer, and a non-believer. Maybe this is the plan?

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

What's really sad is that I don't know if you are being serious or if you are just trying to deflect from your original, deeply flawed, "logical conclusion" about religion and atheism. I have heard a lot of nonsense from theists who believe they are superior, so it could be that you are being serious. On the other hand, I have seen many ridiculous posts by theists who then later try to tap dance and weasel out.




See, that's another problem. I wasn't comparing poop to religious belief. I used an analogy to show how nonsensically wrong your original comment was. The fact that you didn't understand the analogy is indicative of ...

Furthermore, it's ridiculous that you would use the term "atheist logic". There is no such thing as atheist logic. Logic is logic and the rules governing its use are quite specific. You should acquaint yourself with these rules to spare yourself further embarrassment.

I am not worrried about embarrassment. There is nothing illogical about saying any belief about God is a religious belief. Atheists just won't admit it because they want nothing to do with religion. That is "atheist logic".