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Is atheism a religion[W:711:831]

Is atheism a religion


  • Total voters
    119
Re: Is atheism a religion

lol, no you didn't. Why are you so militant. I don't believe in god, either.

Yes I did. It's not my fault you can't read.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Yes I did. It's not my fault you can't read.

Are you okay? Are you mad right now? Do you believe there is no god? Wow...can't even answer it...kinda telling, but who knows why?
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Are you okay? Are you mad right now? Do you believe there is no god? Wow...can't even answer it...kinda telling, but who knows why?

A friend is a present you give yourself.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

A friend is a present you give yourself.

loooooooooooool so weird. A simple question that can't be answered. And that explains that.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

loooooooooooool so weird. A simple question that can't be answered. And that explains that.

All will go well with your new project.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Logical persuasion is not a key feature of religion, not the way that empirical material reductionists do it. You can't call atheists religious simply because they are trying to demonstrate the lack of proof for something. There's no real doctrine behind that, and no set of principles they are following. the 'a' in atheist means an absence. It would be like looking into a vacuum and claiming there is something there, when really there isn't.

Some religious people would like to paint atheists as religious because that's their paradigm of thought that they live in. For centuries, most of the world lived in a reality of competing categorical doctrines, so it was necessary to always view 'the other' as having an opposing set of beliefs that were blasphemous. Atheism challenges the religious because there is no doctrine to grasp onto for the sake of argument. Atheism is abstinence and non-participation. You can't argue with its existence because it's a non-existence.

One caveat I have is that militant atheists like Dawkins are making it their mission to dismantle religion. I think when it transfers from pacifism to active attack based on principle, then you could say that there are elements of dogma there. Nonetheless, that does not make atheism a faith-based system of any kind.

What religious people are trying to describe is actually dogma, not a tangible religion. Dogma can strike anyone, religious or not. It happens when people think their view of reality, their epistemology, is incontrovertibly true, and they're willing to fight over it. IMO dogma is the #1 problem on this planet. Many humans cannot live and let live so we continue to succumb to the base nature of conflict.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

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.

I see...well, I don't waste my time on such. My observation is that it's exercise in futility. So you might want to exclude the word "YOU" in your comment "Some of YOU"....as you haven't witnessed me trying to convert anybody.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Well...except you clearly have some belief, because here you are posting about it.

Give me the elements necessary to meet the definition of "Religion"...and then apply that to the elements related to atheism.

I'm here defending the fact that atheism isn't a religion. We have believes that aren't related to structured elements that most all religions have.

One again...Having Beliefs...don't constitute a religion.

OldWorld...as I said before...let's just agree that we don't agree with each other's points. You've made it clear that you will continue to claim that a belief is a religion.

So...if you feel compelled to carry on with your claim...

Do everybody a favor and give us something more than your opinion that a belief by atheists is in fact a religion. There are a lot of references and information available to formulate a more precise way of constructing your argument.

You're just making a declaration...and aren't providing anything of substance as to how you've arrived at your claim.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Okay, go get the last word. You seem almost religious about having it.

Or don't.

Better ask twice than lose yourself once.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Logical persuasion is not a key feature of religion, not the way that empirical material reductionists do it. You can't call atheists religious simply because they are trying to demonstrate the lack of proof for something. There's no real doctrine behind that, and no set of principles they are following. the 'a' in atheist means an absence. It would be like looking into a vacuum and claiming there is something there, when really there isn't.

It's a belief about the way the universe is. That's also what a religion is. Hence the alignment.

Some religious people would like to paint atheists as religious because that's their paradigm of thought that they live in. For centuries, most of the world lived in a reality of competing categorical doctrines, so it was necessary to always view 'the other' as having an opposing set of beliefs that were blasphemous. Atheism challenges the religious because there is no doctrine to grasp onto for the sake of argument. Atheism is abstinence and non-participation. You can't argue with it.

And some people are totally non-religious at all and consider it like a religion. This makes atheists made. Their anger, though, doesn't change that.

One caveat I have is that militant atheists like Dawkins are making it their mission to dismantle religion. I think when it transfers from pacifism to active attack based on principle, then you could say that there are elements of dogma there. Nonetheless, that does not make atheism a faith-based system of any kind.

Sure it is. It's a belief system. Beliefs about the nature of the universe and how it came to be.

What religious people are trying to describe is actually dogma, not a tangible religion. Dogma can strike anyone, religious or not. It happens when people think their view of reality, their epistemology, is incontrovertibly true, and they're willing to fight over it. IMO dogma is the #1 problem on this planet. Many humans cannot live and let live so we continue to succumb to the base nature of conflict.

Now on that, we certainly agree. If more people understood that they know NOTHING for 100%, the world would be better off.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

I see...well, I don't waste my time on such. My observation is that it's exercise in futility. So you might want to exclude the word "YOU" in your comment "Some of YOU"....as you haven't witnessed me trying to convert anybody.

Well...the emphasis was actually on the word SOME(which I capitalized just as I did here)....."you" refers to atheists....of which only SOME practice trying to convert believers into non-believers.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Give me the elements necessary to meet the definition of "Religion"...and then apply that to the elements related to atheism.

A belief system about the nature of the universe. I've said this in various ways many times.

I'm here defending the fact that atheism isn't a religion. We have believes that aren't related to structured elements that most all religions have.

But not all. So what makes the ones that don't have those elements 'religions', while atheism is not?

One again...Having Beliefs...don't constitute a religion.

If it's about the hows and whys of all life and existence, it sure is.

OldWorld...as I said before...let's just agree that we don't agree with each other's points. You've made it clear that you will continue to claim that a belief is a religion.

And you've made it clear you'll continue to claim it's not. We're not ruining each others days, I imagine, so why must I stop saying it?

So...if you feel compelled to carry on with your claim...

:)

Do everybody a favor and give us something more than your opinion that a belief by atheists is in fact a religion. There are a lot of references and information available to formulate a more precise way of constructing your argument.

I can't give more than my opinion. Would you like some facts about the English language or something? It wasn't good enough last time, why would it be good enough now?

Religion | Define Religion at Dictionary.com

re·li·gion [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

I thought it was pretty clear. What seems to be the boggle?

You're just making a declaration...and aren't providing anything of substance as to how you've arrived at your claim.

I'm using the English definition of the word religion. What else can I do?

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Well...the emphasis was actually on the word SOME(which I capitalized just as I did here)....."you" refers to atheists....of which only SOME practice trying to convert believers into non-believers.

In my experience that's mostly been a quality of people in their teens and early twenties. After that most atheists realize that "converting" people to atheism is a pointless endeavor. So in that respect atheist attempts at conversion are more the result of youthful zealotry than anything else. If it wasn't atheism it would be...well, anything else.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

A belief system about the nature of the universe. I've said this in various ways many times.

I'm using the English definition of the word religion. What else can I do?

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe

Now your being intellectually dishonest...but this is my last reply to your post as you've demonstrated that your constitutionally incapable of dealing with the facts.

As far as your definition posted...why didn't you include the total content of the definition...and it affect the meaning. So for your reading pleasure...

1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.


You continue to try to put a square peg in a round hole.

Now...I'm no longer entertained by your posts. Have a good day.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Logical persuasion is not a key feature of religion, not the way that empirical material reductionists do it. You can't call atheists religious simply because they are trying to demonstrate the lack of proof for something. There's no real doctrine behind that, and no set of principles they are following. the 'a' in atheist means an absence. It would be like looking into a vacuum and claiming there is something there, when really there isn't.

Some religious people would like to paint atheists as religious because that's their paradigm of thought that they live in. For centuries, most of the world lived in a reality of competing categorical doctrines, so it was necessary to always view 'the other' as having an opposing set of beliefs that were blasphemous. Atheism challenges the religious because there is no doctrine to grasp onto for the sake of argument. Atheism is abstinence and non-participation. You can't argue with its existence because it's a non-existence.

One caveat I have is that militant atheists like Dawkins are making it their mission to dismantle religion. I think when it transfers from pacifism to active attack based on principle, then you could say that there are elements of dogma there. Nonetheless, that does not make atheism a faith-based system of any kind.

What religious people are trying to describe is actually dogma, not a tangible religion. Dogma can strike anyone, religious or not. It happens when people think their view of reality, their epistemology, is incontrovertibly true, and they're willing to fight over it. IMO dogma is the #1 problem on this planet. Many humans cannot live and let live so we continue to succumb to the base nature of conflict.

But can't atheists be just as dogmatic in there rejection of religion as theists are in their beliefs? I must edit this post because you did indeed make that point. Sorry
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

I don't know how you arrived at that, but it sure isn't because of anything I said.

There seem to be a lot of people around here right now that are so wound up in their dogmatic positions that they can't hear anything that anyone else has to say. I've found it useless to talk to them and therefore, am largely going to stop and focus on reasonable, rational people.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Now your being intellectually dishonest...but this is my last reply to your post as you've demonstrated that your constitutionally incapable of dealing with the facts.

I thought we were going to just agree to disagree? Now you seem adamant on making sure your opinion is the only valid one. How proselytizing of you.

As far as your definition posted...why didn't you include the total content of the definition...and it affect the meaning. So for your reading pleasure...

I did. Are you saying I didn't post it? I linked to it and posted it in its entirety. Are you lying or just accidentally misrepresenting me?

1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Do you know what "especially" means? It means that everything that precedes it is true, but the subsequent portion needs to be even more scrutinized. Everything that precedes it, though, is still true. Or do I need to now link to the definition of "especially", copy and paste the result, and have you claim that I didn't?

You continue to try to put a square peg in a round hole.

You obviously have extremely strong beliefs about the nature of the universe. I'm unsure why you don't like that being recognized as religious. Can you tell me why it bothers you so?

Now...I'm no longer entertained by your posts. Have a good day.

Goodbye!
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

There seem to be a lot of people around here right now that are so wound up in their dogmatic positions that they can't hear anything that anyone else has to say. I've found it useless to talk to them and therefore, am largely going to stop and focus on reasonable, rational people.

Ain't that the truth.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

How ironic is it that some atheists have such a martyrdom complex (up on that cross, get it?), that they can't even accept the idea that a belief about the nature and origins of the universe is religious in nature even when it comes from someone that doesn't believe in god? Wild.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

Hardcore atheists, man. Worse than Mormons.
 
Re: Is atheism a religion

There seem to be a lot of people around here right now that are so wound up in their dogmatic positions that they can't hear anything that anyone else has to say. I've found it useless to talk to them and therefore, am largely going to stop and focus on reasonable, rational people.

They drag you down to their level and beat you into submission with the soggy end of their vast experience.
 
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