Is atheism just another religion?
Answer Wiki
For reference, the definition of religion: "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods."
The no answers generally argue that the absence of religion doesn't itself make it a religion. Furthermore, atheism does not maintain a set of uniform dogma and has no ritual or practice, all traits that are associated with religion.
The yes answers generally argue that the definition of religion itself is disputed, and atheists and atheist organizations share many traits with traditional religionists and traditional religious organizations, and that justifies calling Atheism a religion.
The no answers generally argue that the absence of religion doesn't itself make it a religion. Furthermore, atheism does not maintain a set of uniform dogma and has no ritual or practice, all traits that are associated with religion.
The yes answers generally argue that the definition of religion itself is disputed, and atheists and atheist organizations share many traits with traditional religionists and traditional religious organizations, and that justifies calling Atheism a religion.
100+ Answers
Ariel Williams, Dreamer, Writer, Artist and Atheist
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Kris Johnson, former Doodler and Dabbler
Updated 72w ago · Upvoted by Jennifer Kalmanson, Humanist Celebrant, Vice President of the American Humanist Association · Author has 580 answers and 1m answer views
Rafael Olmeda, agnostic atheist.
Steve McKerracher, Battles bias, opposes faith (redundant!), studies the mind, and promotes reason.
I decided to stop arguing about this. I consider it to be irrelevant now.
Is Atheism a lack of belief, or a belief that god does not exist? I have seen definitions both ways.
Who cares? The important part, is all definitions of Atheism I have seen, include the term belief.
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I personally, don't believe any god exists. I think most if not all Atheists share that personal belief. I'll go ahead and say in some way it is a faith based position, though it is based on a lack of evidence.
The important distinction, is none of us make the CLAIM OF KNOWLEDGE, that god does not, cannot exist.
Since it is merely a personal belief, that will evaporate instantly given any reason to think otherwise, I am not defending it... I'm not making the claim god doesn't exist.
In the same way, I have no reason to argue with an Agnostic Theist. If a person wants to have faith in God, no problem.
It's only when there is a claim of knowledge that there is a possibility for argument.
And the important point, which is really the crux of the issue whenever Theists start arguing this point, is that regardless of definition, Atheists don't make a claim of knowledge...only Gnostic Theists do. (Unless you find a Gnostic Atheist.... but I think they are mythical as well.)
And it's completely expected to ask somebody making a claim of knowledge, to substantiate it.
Burden of proof
It's completely expected in legal claims of knowledge, scientific claims of knowledge, philosophical claims of knowledge, as well as everyday life.
When somebody tells you something unlikely, you expect some substantiation.
It's a well known thing in all four areas, that a claim with no evidence, can be discarded with no evidence.
So... if you make the claim that God DOES exist, please provide a rational reason to substantiate that claim.
Still waiting.
And don't bother trying to avoid the issue by arguing about the definition of "Atheist" because its irrelevant, we aren't making a claim.
Re: "belief system", Atheism is a single descriptor regarding gods and belief. You can't tie in anything not directly associated with that single descriptor.
What do people who don't collect stamps have in common? Or 49er fans?
Other than the single named descriptor, you have no idea. They may generally speaking have certain things in common, but that is immaterial to the descriptor, and there are undoubtedly some of them that break with any stereotype you want to use.
Is Atheism a lack of belief, or a belief that god does not exist? I have seen definitions both ways.
Who cares? The important part, is all definitions of Atheism I have seen, include the term belief.
I personally, don't believe any god exists. I think most if not all Atheists share that personal belief. I'll go ahead and say in some way it is a faith based position, though it is based on a lack of evidence.
The important distinction, is none of us make the CLAIM OF KNOWLEDGE, that god does not, cannot exist.
Since it is merely a personal belief, that will evaporate instantly given any reason to think otherwise, I am not defending it... I'm not making the claim god doesn't exist.
In the same way, I have no reason to argue with an Agnostic Theist. If a person wants to have faith in God, no problem.
It's only when there is a claim of knowledge that there is a possibility for argument.
And the important point, which is really the crux of the issue whenever Theists start arguing this point, is that regardless of definition, Atheists don't make a claim of knowledge...only Gnostic Theists do. (Unless you find a Gnostic Atheist.... but I think they are mythical as well.)
And it's completely expected to ask somebody making a claim of knowledge, to substantiate it.
Burden of proof
It's completely expected in legal claims of knowledge, scientific claims of knowledge, philosophical claims of knowledge, as well as everyday life.
When somebody tells you something unlikely, you expect some substantiation.
It's a well known thing in all four areas, that a claim with no evidence, can be discarded with no evidence.
So... if you make the claim that God DOES exist, please provide a rational reason to substantiate that claim.
Still waiting.
And don't bother trying to avoid the issue by arguing about the definition of "Atheist" because its irrelevant, we aren't making a claim.
Re: "belief system", Atheism is a single descriptor regarding gods and belief. You can't tie in anything not directly associated with that single descriptor.
What do people who don't collect stamps have in common? Or 49er fans?
Other than the single named descriptor, you have no idea. They may generally speaking have certain things in common, but that is immaterial to the descriptor, and there are undoubtedly some of them that break with any stereotype you want to use.
Chris O'Regan, amateur.
Marcus Geduld, studied at School of Theatre at Ohio University
Steve Marck, VP of Fun
Bojan Danko, Lead LED Display Programmer (2017-present)
In other languages
En español: ¿Es el ateÃsmo un dogma?