Is atheism a religion? I was talking to a guy on here who seems to have fled following a claim he made. [Spirituality & Religion]

@TheMorningsStar [quote]the same legal protection as other religious points of views[/quote]

why is the word 'other' in there? It means that your claim merely begs the question i.e. your argument relies on the very thing it is trying to establish.

All points of view have legal protection (well, in my country, at least)

A point of view that carnations are nicer than daffodils has legal protection. A point of view that fast food is unhealthy compared to home cooking has legal protection

@newjaninev2 This comment also made me think about the tax exempt status that religions have. If Atheism was a religion, wouldn't they be receiving the tax exempt status too?

@newjaninev2

I used other because, if you look, I said "religious points of views" and not religions, and atheism is a religious point of view (a point of view on god(s)).

Also, if atheism is not a religion and certain laws are passed that only impact the religious or religions, then if atheism is not legally a religion then the law does not apply to atheism or atheists. This would be purely to allow it the same legal protections that religions would have for when such laws do end up being passed, otherwise you have to ensure that each law dealing with religions also makes sure to include atheism and the non-religious. I think it is much simpler and pragmatic to simply make it so atheism is legally considered a religion instead of making sure every law that deals with religion includes those views.

@TheMorningsStar The American founding fathers (I think they're called) messed that up by writing 'freedom of religion' rather than 'freedom of, or from, religion'.

Elsewhere on this post, I've detailed three or four simple statements. They underpin my agnostic atheism, and none of them are points of view... they're just simple statements that are falsifiable in principle, but(not yet) falsified. They don't need legal protection, unless 'water comprises 2 hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom' needs legal protection (which, in one or two burgeoning theocracies, it soon may).

PerthSurfer pointed out the tax situation. Should all new legislation begin 'For the purposes of this legislation, atheism (shall be / shall not be) considered to be a religion...'? Why stop there?
Why not 'For the purposes of this legislation, atheism/football/baking/singing/dancing, etc, (shall be / shall not be) considered to be a religion...'?

What needs legal protection isn't atheism per se... it's freedom of thought and freedom from tyranny. I can think of a couple of countries where both are under attack.