Do you feel that atheism falls into the category of a religion? If yes, please explain. [Spirituality & Religion]

In order: yes, no,no, who knows, who knows.

I could accept that it is a system of belief at a stretch but i'm not sure that could be pushed to make it a religion

@UnparalleledMonster: Once it's practiced in the form of a religion it is one. I often see that happening.

@MartinTheFirst:

What does practicing atheism in the form of a religion look like?
What are some examples you have seen of that?

@UnparalleledMonster: As a christian you often get to see it. They have their preachers that go around talking about how God does not exist, even when no one said anything about it. That's not just some non-faith behaviour, that takes dedication, that takes beliefs and energy to practice, and oh so many does. They often come together to talk about how other beliefs are wrong and about how they are right, and they try to make each other feel better about being atheists. They often talk about their faith in how mankind has no meaning or purpose, and that we live to die. It's more of a religion than the average atheist might think. however of course an atheist wouldnt want to agree to that, because being against religion is part of their "religion", quite hypocritical if you ask me but that is the reality of it.

@MartinTheFirst:

Well it sounds like what you're describing is a club. I mean if i get together with people to talk about harry potter and tell random people who never asked how great it is, i'm not religious. I'm just an asshole in a book club.

Doesn't a religion necessitate the belief in a deity and/or involve a system faith and worship?

@UnparalleledMonster: Well what you're describing is a play with words, we can call it what we want, but what it is, is what's important. Technically, as atheists do not believe that God exists, that means they believe they're superior, they believe in themselves. Because how do you worship? You live for it, you give thanks, you stand by it. What do atheists do? They see to their own ego, they live for themselves and themselves only, even if it's another atheist they live for, that's themselves as a group. When they accomplish something, they don't thank anyone else, they thank themselves for doing such a good job. It's a way of life, much more important than a book club my friend, to simplify it into something like that is nonsense.

A religion does not need a deity however. Just look at budhism, the perfect example of religion practiced without a faith in God.

@MartinTheFirst:

Well that's fairly inaccurate description of atheists.
What do atheists believe they are superior to? Not god because god doesn't exist.
Atheists do not live for themselves any more than a christian does. Trying to reduce it by saying living for another atheist doesn't count because they're an atheist is silly. Especially given that atheists also "live for" people of faith.

And while Buddhism doesn't involve a god it certainly involves specific supernatural beliefs and activities associated with the religion.

The only thing that makes an atheist an atheist is that they do not believe in god/gods

@UnparalleledMonster: We live for God.

@MartinTheFirst:

ok...cool