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Is atheism a religion[W:711:831]

Is atheism a religion


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Re: Is atheism a religion

If you think any belief can have it's own religion.

But a religion is a belief about mankind's place in existence. You don't think god exists. That's a belief about mankind's place in existence.

I don't understand why some atheists are so violently against acknowledging that. What does it change? Why do you care?

I disagree. Belief in scientific information and a religion doesn't compare.

As an atheist, I subscribe to the scientific "explanation" regarding the origin of the universe. It has nothing to do with humankind's place in existence. I have no desire to build institutions used to give praise to science or worship it. I don't go around quoting scientific scriptures...or theories, if you prefer. I don't have any aspiration to start a TV science ministry to beg for money to spread scientific gospel. In fact, I don't know any atheists that do any of the aforementioned.

Atheists have an "absence of belief" regarding supernatural beings and especially one that is the creator of the universe. In other words...god just doesn't compute in our minds. So there's no curious need to ponder the possibility of a god existing.

The multitude of religions, which have evolved over time... explanations vary about the creation of the universe...and the meaning and purpose of humankind. But thus far there isn't a preponderance of evidence (meaning more likely true than not) that can be extrapolated from religious documents or tenets...to support the stories that they espouse to be true.

A thousand years before Christ...Homer created a story called the Illiad, which included the Odyssey, which was polytheist, and many people of the time believe it to be true. It was a way for them to make sense of this complex world...and beyond. The same applies to religions today. They have convinced people that they ability to explain our existence...our meaning and purpose. Obviously a lot of people buy it. I don't. Atheists don't. I feel quite content with the information I use to make sense of my existence. But over my lifetime...it's changed and will continue to change as science gathers more verifiable information.

Why do atheist care? We care because we believe that the First Amendment applies to us all. And that separation of church and state is vital to our stability as a nation.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Not upset, just pointing out fact. Anybody insisting on atheism being religious who's not trolling really just doesn't have any grasp on language and logic. Simple as that.
So religion isn't a belief about mankind's place in existence? Ooookay.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

I disagree. Belief in scientific information and a religion doesn't compare.

As an atheist, I subscribe to the scientific "explanation" regarding the origin of the universe. It has nothing to do with humankind's place in existence. I have no desire to build institutions used to give praise to science or worship it. I don't go around quoting scientific scriptures...or theories, if you prefer. I don't have any aspiration to start a TV science ministry to beg for money to spread scientific gospel. In fact, I don't know any atheists that do any of the aforementioned.

I don't know any Taoists that do, either.

Atheists have an "absence of belief" regarding supernatural beings and especially one that is the creator of the universe. In other words...god just doesn't compute in our minds. So there's no curious need to ponder the possibility of a god existing.

But a belief that they know what role, if any, humans have in the universe.

The multitude of religions, which have evolved over time... explanations vary about the creation of the universe...and the meaning and purpose of humankind. But thus far there isn't a preponderance of evidence (meaning more likely true than not) that can be extrapolated from religious documents or tenets...to support the stories that they espouse to be true.

I agree. I believe in none of them.

A thousand years before Christ...Homer created a story called the Illiad, which included the Odyssey, which was polytheist, and many people of the time believe it to be true. It was a way for them to make sense of this complex world...and beyond. The same applies to religions today. They have convinced people that they ability to explain our existence...our meaning and purpose. Obviously a lot of people buy it. I don't. Atheists don't. I feel quite content with the information I use to make sense of my existence. But over my lifetime...it's changed and will continue to change as science gathers more verifiable information.

I agree, but the Iliad and Odyssey are two different things.

Why do atheist care? We care because we believe that the First Amendment applies to us all. And that separation of church and state is vital to our stability as a nation.

That's why they get mad when someone points out that they have a belief structure just religions do?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

I don't know any Taoists that do, either.

But a belief that they know what role, if any, humans have in the universe.

I agree. I believe in none of them.

I agree, but the Iliad and Odyssey are two different things.

That's why they get mad when someone points out that they have a belief structure just religions do?

Well, you haven't outlined any belief structure that you claim exist. How does atheists absences of belief in a creator of the universe...compare to a religious discipline?

Oh, the Odyssey is kind of a sequel created by Homer...but there are polytheist characters involved. And actually Homer didn't create his stories on paper, they were handed down over a couple of hundred years before they were actually penned on a document made from materials of the time. I suspect that like the bible for instance, the stories were reinvented over time.

I don't think that I could be more clear on how atheists don't hold any form of religious doctrine built around an absence of belief in a creator or the meaning and purpose of humankind, which is used to perpetuate tenets over time. Scientific information is in constant flux. That's not the fundamental case with religions. However, we do know that translations have been way more the impetus for any changes in content and context, but the primary message is intended to remain constant.

I don't have a clue as to "what role humankind plays"???? I don't know any atheists they claim that they do. Humankind is a product of evolution. We can't attach our existence to an intended design, purpose or meaning. For there to be a "role" for humankind, there has to be an author who created the story for the role to be played out.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

You could be right, yet also worth noting that religion is one of the few things people will lay down and die for. It's that powerful.

Yes, delusion can be very powerful.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Holy ****, that's two posts in a row where I actually agree with Cephus. Tell me it ain't so.

A = without
Theos = Gods

An atheist is a person without gods. It's really simple.

As opposed to anti-theism, which is what you keep trying to claim is atheism. Do the Greek.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

If you are an atheist then you most likely believe in the theory of evolution, the big bag theory and any numerous theories not rooted in a belief of a deity. So you do believe something.

... Yes, and if those theories I "believe" in tomorrow were proven to be untrue due to more scientific research, I would instead opt to accept those new theories. If tomorrow a guy down the street asked you to believe he is Jesus, would you believe in him? You're cheapening the meaning of both religion and science when you try to pass one off as the other. Religion is continuous. It's rooted in tradition. Science is synonymous with a constant change in how we understand the world. We no longer believe "scientific" theories from 200 years ago. We don't even believe in Darwin's account of evolution. Science and knowledge of the world are expanding concepts. Meaning, they are never in any sense like religion. As religion can evolve from a philosophical perspective but it's can't run away from its pillars.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Well, you haven't outlined any belief structure that you claim exist. How does atheists absences of belief in a creator of the universe...compare to a religious discipline?

Because atheists actively believe the universe has no 'creator'. That's a belief. A belief about the nature of the universe. Just...like a religion.

Oh, the Odyssey is kind of a sequel created by Homer...but there are polytheist characters involved. And actually Homer didn't create his stories on paper, they were handed down over a couple of hundred years before they were actually penned on a document made from materials of the time. I suspect that like the bible for instance, the stories were reinvented over time.

I know, I know, I had just typed "Yes, I agree" and then that jumped out at me. And regarding reinvented stories...yes, I agree.

I don't think that I could be more clear on how atheists don't hold any form of religious doctrine built around an absence of belief in a creator or the meaning and purpose of humankind, which is used to perpetuate tenets over time. Scientific information is in constant flux. That's not the fundamental case with religions. However, we do know that translations have been way more the impetus for any changes in content and context, but the primary message is intended to remain constant.

They hold a (strong?) belief about the nature of the universe. Just like religions do.

I don't have a clue as to "what role humankind plays"???? I don't know any atheists they claim that they do. Humankind is a product of evolution. We can't attach our existence to an intended design, purpose or meaning. For there to be a "role" for humankind, there has to be an author who created the story for the role to be played out.

Right. And that's a belief about the universe. Just like a religion.

I don't get why that bothers people so much. I'm agnostic. I don't know and I don't really even care; I don't think it effects my life one way or another (outside of socio-political effects, of course, as mentioned). Is it a religion? Maybe. I don't know and I don't care. But if someone has very strong beliefs about the universe, how it was created, if an entity did so...well...that's a religion.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

So religion isn't a belief about mankind's place in existence? Ooookay.

I don't know how you arrived at that, but it sure isn't because of anything I said.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Because atheists actively believe the universe has no 'creator'. That's a belief. A belief about the nature of the universe. Just...like a religion.



I know, I know, I had just typed "Yes, I agree" and then that jumped out at me. And regarding reinvented stories...yes, I agree.



They hold a (strong?) belief about the nature of the universe. Just like religions do.



Right. And that's a belief about the universe. Just like a religion.

I don't get why that bothers people so much. I'm agnostic. I don't know and I don't really even care; I don't think it effects my life one way or another (outside of socio-political effects, of course, as mentioned). Is it a religion? Maybe. I don't know and I don't care. But if someone has very strong beliefs about the universe, how it was created, if an entity did so...well...that's a religion.

Well, we'll have to end this with...we both disagree with each other's points. I don't know how to make it more clear.

Having a belief...isn't a religion. There are very structured elements to religion that simply don't exist with having the absence of a belief in a omnipotent deity.

Thanks...
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

It doesn't? It doesn't say that life is just what we see and that's it?

You may say that. All that atheists say is that they lack a belief in gods. Any other attributes you may wish to apply are superfluous.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Atheism is a religion like baldness is a hair color.

It's interesting to note - everyone is born an atheist. Any tendency towards any religion is simply an accident of geography and happenstance.

I've yet to observe any toddlers spontaneously becoming Hindu in a predominately Christian society.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Because atheists actively believe the universe has no 'creator'. That's a belief. A belief about the nature of the universe. Just...like a religion. ...

Not having a belief is not the same as believing something not to be. How many times do you need to be told?

Why do you use having a religion as an insult?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Using that logic, GPS is a religion.

If you just learned English and don't know that 'place' can be used figuratively, sure.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

You may say that. All that atheists say is that they lack a belief in gods. Any other attributes you may wish to apply are superfluous.

So if they think that, that's a religious belief. I'm sorry. If it doesn't apply to you, it doesn't. Don't worry either way.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Not having a belief is not the same as believing something not to be. How many times do you need to be told?

Do you believe there is no god?

Why do you use having a religion as an insult?

I'm not. Why do you keep thinking it is one?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

You may say that. All that atheists say is that they lack a belief in gods. Any other attributes you may wish to apply are superfluous.

MS...you're pretty close, but I as an atheist I prefer the following:

Atheists have "the total absence of belief" in supernatural deities and/or omnipotent creators...which means that god just doesn't compute in their minds and there's simply no need to ponder the possibility of the existence of such.

"The lack of belief"...would be more in tune with the way an agnostic would describe their position. The word "lack"...could still imply that "some" might exist.

But you are very right on with
Any other attributes you may wish to apply are superfluous.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Atheists have "the total absence of belief" in supernatural deities and/or omnipotent creators...which means that god just doesn't compute in their minds and there's simply no need to ponder the possibility of the existence of such.

Well...except you clearly have some belief, because here you are posting about it.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

MS...you're pretty close, but I as an atheist I prefer the following:

Atheists have "the total absence of belief" in supernatural deities and/or omnipotent creators...which means that god just doesn't compute in their minds and there's simply no need to ponder the possibility of the existence of such.

"The lack of belief"...would be more in tune with the way an agnostic would describe their position. The word "lack"...could still imply that "some" might exist.

But you are very right on with

Ahh....but SOME atheists' tendency to try to "convert" others to their POV is similar to a religion.....that's all I've been trying to say. SOME of you are just as bad as the Evangelicals who think it's their duty to bend you to their will.
 
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