Why do theists see non-belief in God as a system? [Spirituality & Religion]

Many people don't believe in fairies (say) but no one refers to that as a belief system.

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LadyGrace

I would say because fairies have nothing to do with spirituality or the spirit world.

fazer1k · 56-60, M

They don't, but that wasn't my question. I could have used angels, ghosts, dragons, or elves as examples and the question remains the same. Why should non-belief in religious deities be categorised differently to non-belief in any other 'beings'?

Justbychance · M

As a point of interest: There is a member of my family who recently added "Jesus Christ!" to his exclamations (both for good things and bad things) I asked him why he suddenly decided to add the adage to his repertoire of words. He said that he wasn't religious and that he didn't believe in any of it so in his opinion he has a right to say what he wants. I really don't get it. He doesn't believe any of it, yet uses a religious name.

If it's some form of protest, I think his logic is somewhat kinked.

fazer1k · 56-60, M

People use all sorts of exclamations so it is hard to say what inspires them. If he uses that as a deliberate protest then I agree, it seems strange.

Justbychance · M

He doesn't use it as a deliberate protest, not at all. He uses it because in his mind, he believes that in saying what he does that people will [i]know[/i] that he doesn't believe.(?) You're right; it's a strange turn of events.

fazer1k · 56-60, M

@Justbychance: He would be wrong! I have heard believers make the exclamation.

Northwest · M

A belief system, does not have to be about religion, it could be about anything. Believing that there is no God, is a belief system.

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bijouxbroussard · F

@Justbychance: This is a three week old post. If you just came to slam atheists, I'm not one. But Northwest's clarification made more sense:
"If someone is religious,([i]or not~bb)[/i] it's part of their belief system, but belief in religion, ([i]or lack thereof~bb)[/i] by its lonesome, is not a belief system."

Northwest · M

@bijouxbroussard: I am an atheist, but i''m not going to slam anyone for being religious, No one actually knows the truth. I only object, when someone tries to "save" me. Don't know where the "atheists know everything" came from, but yeah, it seems to be an attempt to slam me, even though I said that I don't have THE answer.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@Northwest: @Northwest: quite a reasonable statement. Stunning.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

I guess they can't wrap their heads around not believing in something. I guess it's a belief in rational though and naturalistic explanations.

Underconstruction · F

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fazer1k · 56-60, M

I'm more interested in where the idea that non-belief constitutes a belief system comes from.

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fazer1k · 56-60, M

@faefairy: You aren't understanding the question.

sighmeupforthat · 46-50, M

they're sociopaths and hate freedom.

all i know as a non-theist i love sunday mornings.. the only time planet earth is normal is when they're in church.

NorthernRoses · 22-25, F

It's a way to separate those who are religious from those who aren't, I guess.

Peaches · F

Good question.🤔

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