Atheism?

[Sleepy Raisin]

I know what atheism is. I dont need to be told what it is.. But would atheism be considered a religion, technically? i ask because the definition of religion is a practiced faith, and tradition. While atheists dont believe in God or gods, nor do they worship anything of any sort, they DO have beliefs, and traditions, in a sense..
Opinions, comments?
Maybe im just set in my wayss.. :)

[Gigablue]

I don't think atheism is a religion. It is by definition the lack of religion. I think a religion is basically a system of beliefs, traditions and values held based on some amount of faith. Atheism is basically the same thing, but without any faith. I think calling atheism a religion is basically like calling health a disease.

[FreeFall]

No.
Not in my opinion any ways. I don't have a religion, I just have my morals and my opinions.
Atheism doesn't fit the "rules" of a religion. There are no practices of it, other than maintaining the lifestyle of not believing in a god. There's nothing more to it. No worship, no commandments, no tidings, no place to do it, and what traditions do we have? I've never done an atheistic tradition. Commercial holidays maybe, if that counts for the I don't believe in god factor. I used to believe in Santa. Also, we all don't share the same views. It's not like Christians or Catholics where we can safely make the blanket statement of "they go to church on sundays and apparently some on Saturdays, read their bible. etc." One can only safely say an atheist doesn't believe in god. You can't say all atheists believe in aliens and war or something like that. My views may differ from the next atheist that comes along and so on. No handbook on it.

[Sleepy Raisin]

I don't think atheism is a religion. It is by definition the lack of religion. I think a religion is basically a system of beliefs, traditions and values held based on some amount of faith. Atheism is basically the same thing, but without any faith.

Faith is defined as to have complete trust in something. Atheists in fact do have faith, in the fact that God doesnt exsist. Unless of course i mistaken and atheists dont truly believe that God doesnt exisist.

I think calling atheism a religion is basically like calling health a disease.

How does that relate what so ever?

[huginnmuninn]

Faith is defined as to have complete trust in something. Atheists in fact do have faith, in the fact that God doesnt exsist.


only a fool has complete faith in anything. You are right though, atheists have "faith" that there is no God. But i still wouldn't call atheism a religion. religions are based on a spiritual belief and atheism has no basis in spiritual beliefs.

[FreeFall]

There are different definitions of faith. The one you got right, basically the synonym for confidence. But there is religious faith, where it's spiritual and more based on your religion, than your ideals.

[Sleepy Raisin]

There are different definitions of faith. The one you got right, basically the synonym for confidence. But there is religious faith, where it's spiritual and more based on your religion, than your ideals.

You bring up a good point. Religious faith is more based on spiritual and religous views. But atheism, has a similar faith. From what i know, atheists believe the laws of chemistry and physics were broken to form the universe. The Big Bang. Thats a religious faith, especially if that what a vast majority believe.

[ImCoolBeans]

Atheism is a belief, not a religion. Atheism is defined as: "the theory or belief that God does not exist." Therefore it is impossible for it to be a religion - however it is a belief about religion.

[Gigablue]

Faith is defined as to have complete trust in something. Atheists in fact do have faith, in the fact that God doesnt exsist. Unless of course i mistaken and atheists dont truly believe that God doesnt exist.

Faith is a complete trust in something, that is based on something other that proof. Also, atheist aren't sure a god doesn't exist, it's just the based on the curren evidence, the likelihood of there being a god is incredibl small.

[Magus]

It's a disbelief, or lack of belief, not a belief.

[darkwoon]

A religion implies more than faith - it involves codified rituals around that faith. It also involves worshipping of supranatural forces (in a way of another).

So no, atheism is not a religion; it is just a belief. At most, it is a philosophy.

[ImCoolBeans]

It's a disbelief, or lack of belief, not a belief.

A belief is to hold an opinion. While yes, it is the lack of belief in religion it is a belief about it, that God does not exist.

[Stephan]

I don't believe that atheism is a religion, but more of a belief like everyone else has mentioned.

Myself being an atheism..I don't really consider myself following any set of traditions or anything, I just don't really think about religion that's about it.

[Magus]

While yes, it is the lack of belief in religion it is a belief about it, that God does not exist.

If it's a belief, as in the classical term, it implies faith. General Atheism doesn't necessitate faith.

The belief that there is nothing is different than a non-belief of something that might exists.

What you are referring is to gnostic atheism, the belief that there is no God, to be precise.

But, wherever you'd go, it's not a religion, but a metaphysical standpoint.

[FreeFall]

You bring up a good point. Religious faith is more based on spiritual and religous views. But atheism, has a similar faith. From what i know, atheists believe the laws of chemistry and physics were broken to form the universe. The Big Bang. Thats a religious faith, especially if that what a vast majority believe.
I think you're confusing the definition of religion now.
Religion is more a sort of system to abide by for one's life. It's a faith, something to worship, and something to live by. It doctrines a person's life, example: my religion forbids me from eating meat on Fridays.

Not all atheists believe in the Big Bang, you're correct. And not everyone that believes the Big Bang is atheist. Some Christians believe in that, maybe they still consider it god's doing but I just know that it's a scientific theory about the creation of the universe. It's not something people abide by, it's a belief yes and a theory, but other than being knowledge and a usual counter argument against god's existence there's nothing about it that's religiously held. You'll get the occasional fanatic I'm sure that dedicates their life to the theory, so they can be the exception.

[SosbanFach]

No, it is not a religion. It's not actually a term that I am overly fond of, as it describes what an individual believes through specifying what they do not, but that is irrelevant. The point I am making is that it is no more a religion than theism. A way of thinking, yes, but definitely not in a religious sense.

[Magus]

The one who proposed the B.B theory was a Catholic cleric.

[Amaryllis]

Religion requires one to worship/believe in a higher/superhuman power. Atheists do not. So no, it is not a religion.

Pastafarianism might be, though ;)

[Syvelocin]

Ehh. I don't "have faith" that God doesn't exist. Granted, I'm not 100% sure he doesn't. I lack faith. There's a difference between the faith a religious person puts in God, a belief without proof, that is a full and complete faith that this exists. I'm a full doubter. I'm 99% sure there isn't a God, a belief that's slightly more logical (though still without proof). Religious people devote themselves to their religion. They put faith into the idea that this exists. I don't cross my fingers and wish on a star for atheism to guide my way.

And atheism can't be a religious really because it's more of a description of a religion. Your religion isn't monotheism, it's Christianity or Islam or Judaism etc. If you're a Wiccan, for example, you describe yourself as duotheistic, pantheistic, polytheistic, atheistic, etc. But Wicca is your religion

[Silicate Wielder]

I consider myself to be semi Athiest, I believe in got and i disgree with nearly everything else christian, I look at everything in a scientific stand-point.

[StoppingTime]

I consider myself to be semi Athiest, I believe in got and i disgree with nearly everything else christian, I look at everything in a scientific stand-point.

That would most likely make you agnostic then. You believe in a "higher being," just not in the same way most people do, according to most religions.

[Magus]

That would most likely make you agnostic then. You believe in a "higher being," just not in the same way most people do, according to most religions.

Nope. That's not Agnostic, that's Deistic.

[Zephyr]

Atheism is a lack of belief in any sort of superhuman power. Religion, at it's broadest definition is a belief in a superhuman power. Therefore, no, Atheism is not a religion and simply a belief.

[Sleepy Raisin]

Religion, is a difficult word to define with one definition. Now, i know you aren't supposed to do this in a debate. But i do now agree with you all.. It is a belief of religion, as ImCoolBeans said.. A philosophy, as darkwoon and all that other stuff.. :) although in some ways i still consider atheism to be a religion but for the most part i think its NOT a religion

[Jess]

it's not a religion

religion = you worship some god(s)/higher being

I don't see how it's a religion with we atheists don't believe a higher being exists