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Is atheism a religion[W:711:831]

Is atheism a religion

  • Total voters
    119
Re: Is atheism a religion

It's interesting how converasations about atheism on here always tend to devolve into whether atheism is a lack of belief in gods or a positive belief in no gods. Also whether or not agnosticism means that someone doesn't know if god exists or if they believe that it can't be known if god exists. Both terms are used each way enough they're probably borg correct. Most dictionaries carry both definitions. It's annoying these debates always turn into this.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Peter Grimm said:
Why is that my "job," and why do I get the feeling the check is going to bounce? Neither side is obligated to prove anything to the other.
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If you make, as you say, the "positive" claim that there is a god, then you are obligated to substantiate it. If you don't believe that's your obligation then a debate forum is clearly not the place for you.

Peter Grimm said:
Atheism or theism are simply matters of faith,
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Non-theism is not a matter of faith, it's imply not being theistic. And as to the claim that there is no god, that isn't a matter of faith either as it's simply a response that evidence for the claim that god exists hasn't been offered.

Peter Grimm said:
neither is superior from that standpoint and neither has a higher burden of proof.
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The claim that a thing exists has the burden of proof. If you don't understand this point then you are confused as to what type of forum you are currently participating in.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

As a atheist, "I believe" that science will ultimately prove that there is no supreme being(s) that created this universe or any other, should any others exist.

In other words, it's not a matter of "if" science can prove there's no god, but "when" science proves it.

So if someone accepts science over a religion...does science substitute as a religion? No! There's definitely differences between religion and science. Some examples of how science doesn't compare with religion are:

1) Science doesn't try to take credit for creation, it only attempts to explain how it was created.

2) Science doesn't claim dominion over creation, thereby demanding allegiance to it.

3) Science doesn't create biased and/or ambiguous rules for living.

4) Science doesn't threaten eternal damnation for not subscribing to any scientific information or discoveries.

5) Science doesn't promise a reward of an eternal life in paradise for a person's unconditional surrender to any scientific discipline or tenets.

6) It's not necessary to submit one's allegiance to science in order to establish a moral foundation that allows individuals to co-exist peacefully with other people.

7) Science doesn't claim to possess the meaning and/or purpose of humanity. In other words, "my" sense of meaning and purpose isn't defined by legends or myths contained in ancient books written by "human men" claiming to be instruments of an omnipotent being - who only makes its existence known through them.

And the list goes on....

As a atheist, I simply subscribe to the scientific explanation of origin of the universe freely and without coercion. There's no belief in a reward or punishment for subscribing to such an explanation.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Removable Mind said:
As a atheist, "I believe" that science will ultimately prove that there is no supreme being(s) that created this universe or any other, should any others exist.

In other words, it's not a matter of "if" science can prove there's no god, but "when" science proves it.

So if someone accepts science over a religion...does science substitute as a religion? No! There's definitely differences between religion and science. Some examples of how science doesn't compare with religion are:

1) Science doesn't try to take credit for creation, it only attempts to explain how it was created.

2) Science doesn't claim dominion over creation, thereby demanding allegiance to it.

3) Science doesn't create biased and/or ambiguous rules for living.

4) Science doesn't threaten eternal damnation for not subscribing to any scientific information or discoveries.

5) Science doesn't promise a reward of an eternal life in paradise for a person's unconditional surrender to any scientific discipline or tenets.

6) It's not necessary to submit one's allegiance to science in order to establish a moral foundation that allows individuals to co-exist peacefully with other people.

7) Science doesn't claim to possess the meaning and/or purpose of humanity. In other words, "my" sense of meaning and purpose isn't defined by legends or myths contained in ancient books written by "human men" claiming to be instruments of an omnipotent being - who only makes its existence known through them.

And the list goes on....

As a atheist, I simply subscribe to the scientific explanation of origin of the universe freely and without coercion. There's no belief in a reward or punishment for subscribing to such an explanation.
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I agree that it does not, but the way with which some individuals revere science one could be left with the conclusion that it does.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

DiAnna said:
A lack of belief is not a belief. Atheism is not a religion or a belief.
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I don't think atheism can be called "a lack of belief." Atheists are strong believers in a list of things including:

- There is no intelligent creator
- In some cases, people of faith should have limited rights with respect to speech, participation in government and the rearing of their children
- Conclusive views on the random nature of origin of life
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Removable Mind said:
As a atheist, "I believe" that science will ultimately prove that there is no supreme being(s) that created this universe or any other, should any others exist.

In other words, it's not a matter of "if" science can prove there's no god, but "when" science proves it..
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I believe the exact same thing about the existence of God.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Anagram said:
It's interesting how converasations about atheism on here always tend to devolve into whether atheism is a lack of belief in gods or a positive belief in no gods. Also whether or not agnosticism means that someone doesn't know if god exists or if they believe that it can't be known if god exists. Both terms are used each way enough they're probably borg correct. Most dictionaries carry both definitions. It's annoying these debates always turn into this.
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It's because so many theists are so desperately dishonest, they feel they need to discredit atheism because, let's be honest, their own beliefs are laughably unjustifiable.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Smeagol said:
I don't think atheism can be called "a lack of belief." Atheists are strong believers in a list of things including:

- There is no intelligent creator
- In some cases, people of faith should have limited rights with respect to speech, participation in government and the rearing of their children
- Conclusive views on the random nature of origin of life
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There is a difference between conclusively disproving a specific creation myth, and believing that there cannot be any alternative one that might fit with our evidence.

The only thing most atheists advocate for is equal treatment. It isn't discrimination to veto attempts by the religious to enact theocratic laws and public schools.

Science and atheism have nothing to do with each other. One can be an atheist without any knowledge is science whatsoever.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

SmokeAndMirrors said:
There is a difference between conclusively disproving a specific creation myth, and believing that there cannot be any alternative one that might fit with our evidence.

The only thing most atheists advocate for is equal treatment. It isn't discrimination to veto attempts by the religious to enact theocratic laws and public schools.

Science and atheism have nothing to do with each other. One can be an atheist without any knowledge is science whatsoever.
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Yup, and you can be a scientist without being an atheist, although the overwhelming majority of scientists are non-religious. What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Atheism is not a religion. It rejects such a thing as a higher power. If anything they are their own god. A monument to them that would best describe who they are would be a mirror. However someone earlier made the point that some atheists like to act like it's a religion. And I agree with that statement. They have their own groups or should I state "congregations" who have become quite politically active. Just recently in Florida a group of atheists erected their first monument next to another of the Ten Commandments on public property. They chose a granite bench for their design.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/us/to-fight-religious-monuments-atheists-plan-their-own-symbols.html?_r=0
I don't have a problem with that at all. I'm just waiting for the Buddhists to drop off a giant wood Buddah next to the atheist bench which is located next to the monument that is inscribed with the Ten Commandments. Or the waited arrival of the Hindus to bring in a concrete swastika a symbol within their religion connoting general auspiciousness like purity of soul, truth, and stability or, alternatively, Surya, the sun god. The swastika may not go over very well but they have many more symbols like the Lotus flower that represents aspects of their faith.

Look ....instead of focusing on one particular religious belief or non belief, shouldn't all be rejoicing in the fact that we live in a country that by design is not to favor one religion over another? And if the Constitution was being honored, while the federal government has no right to favor one over another, states at a local levels should indeed have the right by majority to practice whatever religion is dominant in that area as they please without the Political Correctness Police raining on their parade. You know the last time I checked all State Constitutions recognized a Supreme Being. Enough said.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

The only way to have an "absence of belief" with respect to the existence of god is to have never before heard the concept. Once you're aware of and understand the proposition "God exists" - you either believe it or you don't.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
The only way to have an "absence of belief" with respect to the existence of god is to have never before heard the concept. Once you're aware of and understand the proposition "God exists" - you either believe it or you don't.
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But there's a difference between not believing in a god and believing a god doesn't exist. I don't believe in a guy named David Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas. That doesn't mean I believe there is no David Smith, I just haven't been convinced that there is.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

It is a lack of belief, it cannot by definition be a religion. Now when you get into the more radical "humanists" yes it could be.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
The only way to have an "absence of belief" with respect to the existence of god is to have never before heard the concept. Once you're aware of and understand the proposition "God exists" - you either believe it or you don't.
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Not true. Just because you understand a concept doesn't mean you either have to have a positive belief that exists or a positive belief that it doesn't exist.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
The only way to have an "absence of belief" with respect to the existence of god is to have never before heard the concept. Once you're aware of and understand the proposition "God exists" - you either believe it or you don't.
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In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson made reference to a Supreme being 4 times.
- Nature’s God

- Creator

-The Supreme Judge of the World

·-Divine Providence

Note none of them reference Jesus.

The Constitution does not make mention of God yet it is designed to protect whatever belief you hold.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Cephus said:
But there's a difference between not believing in a god and believing a god doesn't exist. I don't believe in a guy named David Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas. That doesn't mean I believe there is no David Smith, I just haven't been convinced that there is.
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Two different propositions, two different beliefs.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
Two different propositions, two different beliefs.
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Somehow not surprised you can't tell the difference. :roll:
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Anagram said:
Not true. Just because you understand a concept doesn't mean you either have to have a positive belief that exists or a positive belief that it doesn't exist.
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I'm not talking about concepts, I'm talking about simple propositions (many of which may make up a single concept). The proposition "God exists" is either true or false - and yes, just by knowing it you'll assign some level of belief.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Cephus said:
Somehow not surprised you can't tell the difference. :roll:
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Don't know where you came up with that idea given that I stated quite clearly "two different beliefs"
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
I'm not talking about concepts, I'm talking about simple propositions (many of which may make up a single concept). The proposition "God exists" is either true or false - and yes, just by knowing it you'll assign some level of belief.
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Assigning it some level of belief does not equate to there only being to options and either believing God exists or believing God doesn't exist.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Is atheism a religion?
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That is a retarded question.
Of course it is not...
...and anarchy is not a political party either.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
Don't know where you came up with that idea given that I stated quite clearly "two different beliefs"
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Then are you acknowledging that atheism is not necessarily a positive belief that god(s) do not exist, or did I read that wrong?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Anagram said:
Assigning it some level of belief does not equate to there only being to options and either believing God exists or believing God doesn't exist.
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If the proposition is "God exists" you might hold a strong belief in its veracity, no belief in its veracity, or any level in between.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Taylor said:
If the proposition is "God exists" you might hold a strong belief in its veracity, no belief in its veracity, or any level in between.
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But having no belief in it's veracity does not mean you have a strong belief in the opposite proposition.
 
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