Atheism a religion

Discussion in 'Religion Archives' started by flameofanor5, Dec 7, 2007.

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  1. flameofanor5 Not a cosmic killjoy Registered Senior Member

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    This is just a few questions I have.

    Is atheism a religion?
    Atheism - To acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs.
    So is a religion just the belief in something? Whether or not a God? Do Atheists contradict themselves by saying that there is no god. To say you know that there is no god, you have to know everything. Just as if I were to say "there is no yellow pin cushion in your closet." I would have to know that closet from the inside out to be able to say that. Is it the same with God?
     
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  3. flameofanor5 Not a cosmic killjoy Registered Senior Member

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    I won't get on untill late tomorrow so please, leave your comments, so that I can read them later.
     
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  5. mrow Unless Registered Senior Member

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    a·the·ism
    –noun
    1. the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
    2. disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

    If you're going to define atheism as an asset to your point, you might want to make sure you actually know the definition of atheism.

    Secondly, to say you know that evolution is a fallacy must mean you know everything as well, which you are making increasingly clear through your posts that you do not.

    Interesting that you have just joined and this is all you'll talk about. Sounds like you believed something just because someone told you it was true and now you want to troll forums and do the same to others. Fortunately, many of us think for ourselves. Try it.
     
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  7. original sine Registered Senior Member

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    Depending on your definition of religion (a set of beliefs)... it might vary for people. Atheism is really just one belief, or lack thereof, not a set of beliefs. There are no other characteristics associated with atheism than that. Let's see what others have to say.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2007
  8. Killian_1_4 Registered Senior Member

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    Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby.
    I forget who said that.
     
  9. ranthi Registered Member

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    I forget the name, but there is some guy who is supposed to be considered the father of atheism and alot of the hardcore atheists worship him and his books like he is a jesus figure. I questioned on one of their boards before how, with their stance against religion and "belief" in this guy and his writings, can they not consider themselves a religion. All I got was a bunch of definitions of atheism, etc.

    My stance on the whole thing is they arent a religion...more like a cult. Eventually dividing off of them are the agnostics when the atheists got too fanatical, then neo-atheists (or whatever they are) and all the crazy ones that stemmed off of those.

    Nobody wants to take responsibility for their beliefs when they get to be too organized.
     
  10. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Especially when you start evangelising about it, make Tshirts and form clubs.

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  11. DeepThought Banned Banned

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    I wish Dawkins would come out.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2007
  12. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Not this again..
     
  13. Anti-Flag Pun intended Registered Senior Member

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    My thoughts exactly.
    I suspect that even though it has yet again been answered, we'll be here a while.
     
  14. phlogistician Banned Banned

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    Dictionaries often record usage as the primary reference, and in several I have checked they use the commonly held misconception that being an atheist means a belief in the absence of a god, rather than an absence of belief in any god or gods.

    Atheism quite simply means we don't believe. It is NOT a belief system in itself. How many times do we have to tread over the same ground.

    And Killian, you beat me to it on the quote, and no, I can't remember who said it either!(Google time.)
     
  15. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    There are a lot of different kinds of atheists. They have no common creed, etc.

    They vary considerably in their opinion of religion, for one thing - everything from the blight of all to the finest spiritual creation.

    The ones that were raised in cultures without strong and particular theistic beliefs tend to be less actively rejecting, and more indifferent, in my personal experience. The ones surrounded by the more cult-like or abusive monotheistic institutions are more strident, or closeted.

    For example: A certain percentage of Catholic priests - I recall an estimate of 4 - 11%, from an anonymous survey - are atheistic. Clearly these are not the same sorts of atheists that one sees stereotyped around this forum.

    There are several formally atheistic religions, or religions with atheistic sects and branches.

    So atheism would be several religions, if it's any, and very vaguely defined ones. It seems a useless attempt at applying an irrelevant concept to a poorly understood situation, to me, but if you really feel you gain something by trying to make it fit, have at 'er.
     
  16. scorpius a realist Valued Senior Member

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    no
    no again,atheism is just a lack of belief in gods
    not if the definition of god is so contradictory it cant possibly exist
    such as xian god
    http://www.geocities.com/inquisitive79/god.html
     
  17. superluminal I am MalcomR Valued Senior Member

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    I don't believe in santa. This is my religion.

    No wait,

    I don't believe in fairies. That is my religion.

    On second thought, I don't believe in flying pigs. That is my religion.

    Hang on...

    I don't believe in the IPU or the FSM (sacrilege, I know). This is my religion.

    I could go on, but you get the point. Unless you're a theist.
     
  18. lightgigantic Banned Banned

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    sounds like you have a belief in methodological naturalism

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  19. superluminal I am MalcomR Valued Senior Member

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    Why yes. Yes I do.
     
  20. lightgigantic Banned Banned

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    and furthermore, when you address issues about god or the ontological status of the universe, it becomes metaphysical naturalism

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  21. superluminal I am MalcomR Valued Senior Member

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    Why yes. Yes it does.
     
  22. lightgigantic Banned Banned

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    hence atheism is a metaphysical stance, much like theism
     
  23. superluminal I am MalcomR Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, of course. But the contrast couldn't be more plain. Taking a stance is clearly not equivalent to implementing a religion.
     
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