| Name |
Views and Comments | Date |
| Ryan |
As you seemed sure that some would disagree, I find I fall into this boat myself. I uderstand your reasoning and desire to lump atheism in with religion as it serves a purpose and makes it easier to live and let live for religious folks. However I find that you are mislead about the basic tenet of religion. Religion itself means: a belief in a superhuman controlling power, for example a personal or controlling God/Gods. Or it can also be a system of faith and worship. Neither of which atheism pertains to, atheism is not a belief and it is definitely not conducted in terms of faith and worship, rather reasoned thought and critical thinking, nor is a belief in a superhuman entity or divining power. I do not think becoming a religion in any way would help atheism as atheism is about freedom of thought and opinion, and each atheist has come to that conclusion under their own steam - we were hardly bought up in a commune of non-believers. Kind regards, R |
12/14/2009 |
| Michael |
You argued that atheist have core set of beliefs in non-existence, and budhists have no gods but they are religious.
Atheism is now often applied to a person who holds no religious affiliation, has an opposition to religion, and doesn't assume existence without a good explanation. |
12/1/2009 |
| Will |
Er,...Atheism is the *absence* of belief (in a deity).
It is *not* a belief system. |
11/17/2009 |
| Simon |
Atheism is merely the lack of belief in any god or gods. There is no saying what other forms of supernatural things an atheist can believe in. I have met plenty of atheists in my time who are firm believers in reincarnation, for instance.
You are confusing atheism with skepticism. |
10/9/2009 |
| Non |
"In fact, many American Zen practitioners are also Christians, and in Japan most Buddhists also hold traditional Shinto beliefs. And yet, we still consider Zen Buddhists to be religious. So, why not consider atheism a religion as well?"
Because this implies that religion = theism. Believing in a god may not categorize one as being religious in some instances, one example being Zen Buddhism. And yet, there is such a great devotion to Buddhist ideology which Buddhists share that allows us to deem it a religion, even though it does not require a belief in a personal god. Thus, just because Buddhism is properly atheistic does not mean that atheism itself is properly considered a religion.
"If religion is, as many define it, a belief system to explain our existence on earth, how we should conduct ourselves while on earth, and where we go when we die, then atheism is, by definition, a religion. We hold our beliefs, based on scientific theory, as to how the earth was created, how we evolved to become Homo sapiens, and that when we die our lives are over."
What you are describing is not atheism but is rather a belief in naturalism. While the two may be complementary according to some individuals, they are not equivalent. Indeed, atheism is not strictly a belief in any particular thing, but is rather characterized by an absence of belief in a deity.
Also, while I symphathize with your desire to be accepted by mainstream religious society, it shouldn't be necessary to frame atheism as religion simply to gain favor with the mainstream. Atheists should be accepted just as people of faith are. To portray atheism as a religion would be to betray its very nature. |
3/3/2009 |
| Dean |
Atheism isn't a religion. Neither is theism. They're just opinions on the topic of the existence of God or gods. Add a little respect for science and critical thinking and you've at least got a set of beliefs, but if that's a religion, so is fishing, conservatism, and stamp-collecting. |
2/3/2009 |
| Lucas Ball |
I am not sure if I agree or disagree with these comments lake by Janna Seliger though I do respect them because they say that there are beliefs (atheist writers as far back as Epicurus and Thales in Greece believed that spirits can be explained AWAY scientifically and often are keen to show the lack of logic in spirits AND THESE ARE BELIEFS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. Atheism is not a faith though.
I could be classed as a Devout Atheist or Materialist and meet with other atheists because I find myself wanting scientific explanations for the unexplained phenomena. I find particular inspiration in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, Epicurus, Euripides and Juvenal as well as Charles Darwin, Shakespeare and Percy Shelley. |
2/2/2009 |
| tj |
cool |
1/22/2009 |
| xyz |
if ur belief is that atheism should be treated as a mainstream religion than terrorism can also be be preached as a religion wherein ppl worship hatred, killing and destruction. m not comparing atheisn with terrorism on the same platform,its just an analogy. |
1/19/2009 | |
