Theists, agnostics; do you perceive atheism as a religion?

Question

I know it may be difficult not to treat it as such when it stands in direct opposition to your religious beliefs, but it is not, in fact, a religion. It isn't much of a "belief system", either, seeing as its central tenet is rational process.

As a side-issue, I see this in the use of the term "evolutionism", coined only to describe a willingness to accept prevailing scientific opinion. Simply because it opposes Creationism, this doesn't make it a "belief" or oblige it to compete in the same frame of reference.

I'm curious as to how you approach atheism, though. Do you treat it as a religious belief, and why?

Death™ · Accepted Answer

Atheism:  Lack of belief in gods.



If that's a religion, is aUnicornism a religion?  aTheWorldIsFlatism?  How about aFaerieism?




Edit:  Denial?  I don't believe in any gods.  I can't force myself to believe.  And quite frankly, I'm glad I'm not a moron.  


Enough said.

? · Answer

You are mistaken about atheism having rational process, or anything else, as it's central tenet.  A "tenet" is a base for a system of beliefs, and atheism is not a system of beliefs but simply one particular belief, and it might be held for any reason whatsoever.  I knew a man who became an atheist solely because he discovered that his Priest had lied to him, would you call that rational?  If not, why not, if atheism is, in and of itself, based on rationality and he was an atheist?  If you argue that this was only one case, I reply from personal experience that it is only one out of many, and that even if it was just one that is all it takes to logically refute a position that supposes universality, as does yours.

MumOf5 · Answer

For a group of people to identify themselves with a "central tenet" then this means the group has a defined set of values or beliefs.  

The belief in rationalism as a way to truth is only ONE path to truth.  There are other ways to obtain truth other than through the philosophy of science or rationalism.  (eg. intuition, dreams, psychic experiences, life experience, feelings/emotions, etc.  There are things that can't be seen or immediately comprehended, ie rationalised, but which nevertheless are true.  It is even possible to rationalise this claim... eg. nuclear-physics is a field of unseen events that nevertheless are true/real and have powerful effects.)

Sure, religion = "to reconnect" or specifically, to "reconnect with divinity".  SO in a way, you're right... atheism is not a religion.  But it definitely is capable of being just as dogmatic and self-limiting as religions can be....  prescribing and limiting what they will believe.

Minnow · Answer

I see it as a "spiritual belief system that excludes the idea of any God and anything that supports belief in a God."  I know too many spiritual atheists to see it as anything else.

Got Proof? · Answer

It depends how you define "religion". If you define religion as an organized system of worship in the supernatural, then it isn't. If you define religion as a personal belief system in some theory or concept, then it is religion.

Walter · Answer

I wouldn't say that it is a religion but I would say that some atheists are religious in their atheism.

I am agnostic.

PaulCyp · Answer

No. It is an irreligious philosophy of the natural world.

Anonymous · Answer

It IS a religion.

And not collecting stamps IS a hobby.

Sweet Suzy 777! · Answer

Atheism is not a religion it is denial.

Trending News

Theists, agnostics; do you perceive atheism as a religion?

9 Answers