Is atheism a religion? [Spirituality & Religion]

@in10RjFox:

How does atheism being another school of thought make it a religion?

@in10RjFox: That makes no sense. Most religions are a set of beliefs. All atheists have in common is a disbelief in deities. They need have no other commonality than that.

@MetalGreymon: why not ? Disbelief in existing beliefs is a belief too aint it ?

Just cause there is no organiser or convener for a religion, does not mean its no religion.

@bijouxbroussard: so why do they believe in marriage or family ? Which religion do they follow ..

@in10RjFox: Religions unite their believers. This is [b]disbelief[/b]. It's not even necessarily a disbelief in the same gods. No commonalities.

@in10RjFox: Marriage and family have nothing to do with religion. They exist even where religion does not.

@bijouxbroussard: would you consider aborigines and nomads as religion or not ?

@in10RjFox: Depends on the tribes, but usually they are ethnic groups. Marriage is often a means of uniting clans, tribes or families and has nothing to do with religion either.

@bijouxbroussard: if marriage has nothing to do with religion, then how did you become part of the religion that you are in ?

Should aborigines be granted citizenship or just ignored as other creatures, since they are illiterates anyway.

@in10RjFox: Marriage has existed long before you or me, in cultures other than Western cultures, and independent of organized religion.

[quote]Should aborigines be granted citizenship or just ignored as other creatures, since they are illiterates anyway.[/quote]

So, you're a racist then ? I'm sorry I said anything to you. I don't like racists, and you should be ignored as the vile creatures you are.

@in10RjFox:

[quote]why not ? Disbelief in existing beliefs is a belief too aint it ?[quote][/quote][/quote]


....yes, but it takes more than having a belief to be a religion.
By that logic literally anything becomes a religion: being a vegetarian, bigfoot hunters, a book club.

A religion requires the belief in a deity and/or a system of belief and worship.

Can you explain how not believing in god fits into that framework?

@in10RjFox:
[quote] so why do they believe in marriage or family ?[/quote]

What does marriage and family have to do with religion? Certainly those things are incorporated into various religions but a religious framework is not a prerequisite for wanting to make a family.

And even if we were to pretend that marriage is a religious construct....well who cares? So is christmas and while i don't believe a baby man-god was born in a hay manger, i do enjoy the presents and the family and the food.

@MetalGreymon: what has god got to do with a religion. Isnt it absurd? .. Think deep and you can know how they confer a nationality to humans and create race and how religion conflicts with race and religion.

@in10RjFox:

Sorry, that wasn't an answer to either of my questions.
Does that mean you concede the point that atheism is not a religion?

@MetalGreymon: hahaha ...
how do you claim you belong to the relugion that you are in ? Do you have an ID card or certificate or license to practise the religion ?

@in10RjFox:

Does "hahaha" explain how atheism involves belief in a deity or a system of belief and worship?😆
You might want to have another go at that, mate...

If you are trying to make some kind of point, i would request that instead of asking tangential questions, you simply make it.
Thanks😉

@MetalGreymon: the laughter was for the pot calling the kettle black.. and hence the question as to how you are recognised as part of your religion. I know you wont answer cause you may not have any.

Like how you fill up your religion name in the religion column, they just fill in as Atheist.

If yours is a religion then theirs too is, and if their's is not, yours too is not.

@in10RjFox:

I really don't understand how you come to that conclusion.
Theists belong to their religions because they adhere to a system of beliefs and rituals, usually in praise of a deity.

As an atheist, the only thing i do along with other atheists is to not believe god exists.

How does the specific belief that god is not real fall into the category of a system of faith and worship?
I keep asking this question and you keep trying like hell not to answer it.

@in10RjFox:

You seem to be regressing to your earlier misconception that all it takes to be a religion is to believe something.
I hope that's not what' going on...

@MetalGreymon: first you need to understand the conception of a religion.

All it takes to be a religion is to have a unique name for it.

Hope you know Protestants too are atheists for Catholics.

@in10RjFox:


[quote]All it takes to be a religion is to have a unique name for it.[/quote]

Yeah i was afraid of this. In order to classify atheism as a religion you've been forced to water down the meaning of "religion" to the point where it excludes virtually nothing.

If all that is required to be a religion is to have a name designation, allow me to list a few things which must then be considered religion:

Vegetarians, orthodontists, plumbers, masseuses, teachers, hell's angels, the new york rangers, cat fanciers...

Or would you like to clarify what you mean when you say all that is needed to make a religion is a unique name for the group.

And no protestants are not atheists for Catholics. The believe in the teaching and religion of jesus christ. Not atheist.

[quote]Vegetarians, orthodontists, plumbers, masseuses, teachers, hell's angels, the new york rangers, cat fanciers...
[/quote]
yeah.. why not..? All I am trying to say is there is no regulator and the government or law is just not bothered about it, as they have left it as personal/ family affair. You have have been shocked when Peekaboo said "Buddhism is not a religion" even though it has followers. What about Scientologists ?

In short it is all a mess. Think of the inter-religious marriages .. who do the off spring belong too ..

So you too can come up with something unique and form an association .. and there you have a new religion.

[quote]And no protestants are not atheists for Catholics. The believe in the teaching and religion of jesus christ. Not atheist.[/quote]

who declares anyone as atheists ? or is it self-proclamation ?

@in10RjFox:

[quote]yeah.. why not..? [/quote]

Because that's not what a religion is...

Tell you what, if your idea of a religion only means to have a title and a belief, then yes atheism is a religion along with vegetarians.
Sure the word has lost all meaning at that point, but fine.
Of course you haven't given any good reason why we should dilute the word religion to that point. It's just your personal preference.

[quote]All I am trying to say is there is no regulator and the government or law is just not bothered about it,[/quote]


There is a regulator. Religions are self-regulating and they have pretty clear opinions on who is in them and who isn't.

I was not shocked by peekaboo saying buddhism isn't a religion and i'm not convinced that it's not. Especially since buddy clarified the different elements within buddhism

[quote]who declares anyone as atheists ? or is it self-proclamation ?
[/quote]

Excellent point which highlights the difference between atheism and a religion.

If you don't believe in god/gods then you are an atheist whether you declare it or not, whether or not you even know the word.
It's like being a human (hey look! another religion apparently!) you just are human whether you know what that means or not.

To be religious, christian for example, you have to know who jesus christ is, you have to accept him as your personal savior and you have to observe religious rights. That might be going to church, getting baptized or even just praying privately.
But you can plainly see there is more too a religion than just a name and a belief.

@MetalGreymon: ever heard of the term [b]Pseudo[/b] and [b]Deemed[/b]. ?

@in10RjFox:

Pseudo: not real or genuine

Deem: to judge or regard in a certain way.

Now what point did you feel you were making?