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If atheism isn't a religion... what is it then?
- Thread starter Classik
- Start date
Claudya
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- Oct 16, 2012
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This is a rather complex question... it depends on how you define religion and what kind of atheists you look at.
There are very strong and convinced atheists that make strong (even though negative) assertions about the supernatural world and spirituality. For such people you are right, Classik, they are religious in their atheist ways.
But there are also those that just simply don't believe, without giving it much thought (lots of people from my region of Germany are like that. They don't care much for spirituality and believe in no supernatural entities, because it's just never been a relevant part of their lives). Some of them could be seen as agnostics rather than as atheists, but many of them are simply irreligious (they don't care) and/or have a slightly negative or hostile attitide towards religion, church, clerics and God.
I wouldn't consider that sort of atheism as a religion. It's really an absence of spirituality.
There are very strong and convinced atheists that make strong (even though negative) assertions about the supernatural world and spirituality. For such people you are right, Classik, they are religious in their atheist ways.
But there are also those that just simply don't believe, without giving it much thought (lots of people from my region of Germany are like that. They don't care much for spirituality and believe in no supernatural entities, because it's just never been a relevant part of their lives). Some of them could be seen as agnostics rather than as atheists, but many of them are simply irreligious (they don't care) and/or have a slightly negative or hostile attitide towards religion, church, clerics and God.
I wouldn't consider that sort of atheism as a religion. It's really an absence of spirituality.
- Nov 23, 2012
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I agree Claudya that atheism as a cause is a religion.
But mostly I see people call themselves atheists because they refuse the truth.
They don't want to face up to the idea that there is a God that they need to answer to.
It is easier to say that "he is not there" and just find other people who agree with them.
After all, misery loves company.
But mostly I see people call themselves atheists because they refuse the truth.
They don't want to face up to the idea that there is a God that they need to answer to.
It is easier to say that "he is not there" and just find other people who agree with them.
After all, misery loves company.
Speculative
Member
- May 13, 2012
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Even the ones who say they don't care have a god. It's not a supernatural god, but if you interact with them enough, you can tell who or what it is: it might be the Euro; it might be the rock group Rammstein; it might be Heidi Klum; or it might be the Bayern Munich football team--yeah, I know that last one's pretty far-fetched, but it happens. Everyone has a god (or gods). Some people just don't want to admit it.
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Aardverk
Guest
As pointed out above, it depends how you define 'religion'. This has cropped up several times before and the disagreement is only in the definition.
If you would like to post the definition of your choice Classik, we may have a more interesting discussion.
Will this one do?
It really does use football as an example!
Using that definition - atheism is not a religion. I would say that it is a belief that there are no gods, but as there is no worship involved, it does not fall within this definition of a religion. I suppose it could be called a belief 'system'
but I think most atheists would disagree. I think they would argue that they 'believe' in nothing and that they act only on evidence. But what would I know?
If you would like to post the definition of your choice Classik, we may have a more interesting discussion.
Will this one do?
Cambridge Dictionary On-Line said:
It really does use football as an example!
Using that definition - atheism is not a religion. I would say that it is a belief that there are no gods, but as there is no worship involved, it does not fall within this definition of a religion. I suppose it could be called a belief 'system'
but I think most atheists would disagree. I think they would argue that they 'believe' in nothing and that they act only on evidence. But what would I know?
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- Sep 11, 2012
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Has atheism ever suffered dellusion? Just curious:dunno
I think it is safe to say they are in constant state of it.
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Aardverk
Guest
One could argue that they are all deluded in believing that there are no gods.Has atheism ever suffered dellusion? Just curious:dunno
Those (most?) atheists with an unquestioning belief in science are also deluded. Science has many errors in its history and doubtless in its current 'understanding'.
- Nov 23, 2012
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Yes, atheists may very well be delusioned.
Since delusion is considered to be an illness or the process of illness, and is generally spoken of as mental illness, it's easy to see how anyone in this state could believe what is not true.
But to them it is true.
That is the delusion.
Since we don't know which atheists are delusioned or not, we should pray for them all so that they are able to understand the sound doctrine of the Bible and the saving grace and shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Since delusion is considered to be an illness or the process of illness, and is generally spoken of as mental illness, it's easy to see how anyone in this state could believe what is not true.
But to them it is true.
That is the delusion.
Since we don't know which atheists are delusioned or not, we should pray for them all so that they are able to understand the sound doctrine of the Bible and the saving grace and shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Classik
Member
- Jul 5, 2011
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- Thread starter
- #12
Does this piece of tripe used against religion (Christianity, Isla, etc) also apply to athiesm (since some have said atheism also suffers delusion):
Doesn't it also mean atheism is a religion??? :dunno When many atheist suffer delusion...whaaaaaaaaaaaaat???:dunno
:dunno
Doesn't it also mean atheism is a religion??? :dunno When many atheist suffer delusion...whaaaaaaaaaaaaat???:dunno
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Aardverk
Guest
Does this piece of tripe used against religion (Christianity, Isla, etc) also apply to athiesm (since some have said atheism also suffers delusion)::dunno
No, it is still just a piece of tripe.
- Nov 23, 2012
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Languages do change.
Jews were once people who practiced their faith. All others were called Hebrews.
Gay was a happy go lucky type of person. You know what it means now.
Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion.
Yet people see Christianity as a religion.
Atheism as a religion? Why not?
Jews were once people who practiced their faith. All others were called Hebrews.
Gay was a happy go lucky type of person. You know what it means now.
Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion.
Yet people see Christianity as a religion.
Atheism as a religion? Why not?
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Aardverk
Guest
This is why I sought a definition so that we could all talk the same language.
Christianity, by all dictionary definitions - is a religion. If Christianity isn't a religion, how can atheism possibly be?
By the way, I don't think you are quite right to claim that 'All others were called Hebrews', but no doubt you will tell me that I am wrong
Maybe you meant 'gentile'?Was it 'Alice through the looking glass' that said 'words can mean whatever I want them to mean'? Fair enough.
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