(October 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm)Jenny A Wrote: What would keeping up with trends, or whether a person reached atheism logically have to do with whether it's a religion? If you don't believe in capitalism just to follow the trends and you didn't reach the position logically, and perhaps you have faith in communism or actually believe that in communist countries the state will wither away. Does that make communism a religion?

There's a difference between a world view or ideology and religion.

As I mentioned in one of my past posts, when someone blindly pursues an interest with devotion, it IS a religion by definition.

(October 20, 2014 at 10:04 am)Aoi Magi Wrote:

(October 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm)Jenny A Wrote: What would keeping up with trends, or whether a person reached atheism logically have to do with whether it's a religion? If you don't believe in capitalism just to follow the trends and you didn't reach the position logically, and perhaps you have faith in communism or actually believe that in communist countries the state will wither away. Does that make communism a religion?

There's a difference between a world view or ideology and religion.

As I mentioned in one of my past posts, when someone blindly pursues an interest with devotion, it IS a religion by definition.

Quote:re·li·gion
. . .

1: the belief in a god or in a group of gods

2: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods

3: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

Meaning number three is nothing other than a metaphor. What atheists lack no whether blind of thoughtful is: "worship of a god or gods," or "an organized system of beliefs."

(October 20, 2014 at 10:04 am)Aoi Magi Wrote:

(October 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm)Jenny A Wrote: What would keeping up with trends, or whether a person reached atheism logically have to do with whether it's a religion? If you don't believe in capitalism just to follow the trends and you didn't reach the position logically, and perhaps you have faith in communism or actually believe that in communist countries the state will wither away. Does that make communism a religion?

There's a difference between a world view or ideology and religion.

As I mentioned in one of my past posts, when someone blindly pursues an interest with devotion, it IS a religion by definition.

No, it's not. It is an obsession, maybe, but not a religion. Look up 'religion'.

(October 19, 2014 at 12:45 am)Pickup_shonuff Wrote: Thoughts?

The impression I get is that it's a way to say that atheists are religious too, and therefore they continue to believe in god on some level and are using "the religion of atheism" as an attempt at filling that god-shaped gap in our spiritual hearts. I just shrug my shoulders at that sort of thing, because it's just another claim that I can't disprove to their satisfaction. If your worldview depends on certain things being true, then you may need to hammer a few square pegs into a few round holes from time to time.

Just in regards to Christianity;

all christers attest, aver and affirm the 39,999 other christian denominations are false

atheists attest, aver and affirm all 40,000 are false


Are we that different then ??

I think as the Merriam Webster link shows atheism can be a religion for some people.

Quote:3: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

In that sense it's no different than someone who might say "Hunting is my only religion." It's an appropriate and common usage of the word. I have no idea how many people put that kind of religious importance to atheism, some certainly seem to, though. For me gods are in the same pile as ghosts, goblins, and fairy tale creatures. No more interesting than Pinoccio, but for the religion attached to them.

(October 20, 2014 at 10:18 am)Jenny A Wrote:

Quote:re·li·gion
3: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

Meaning number three is nothing other than a metaphor. What atheists lack no whether blind of thoughtful is: "worship of a god or gods," or "an organized system of beliefs."

You are right, atheism isn't a religion, but the point I was trying to make is that in some instances, some people practice it in a way that is similar to practicing a religion.

(October 20, 2014 at 11:12 am)Aoi Magi Wrote:

(October 20, 2014 at 10:18 am)Jenny A Wrote: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

Meaning number three is nothing other than a metaphor. What atheists lack no whether blind of thoughtful is: "worship of a god or gods," or "an organized system of beliefs."

You are right, atheism isn't a religion, but the point I was trying to make is that in some instances, some people practice it in a way that is similar to practicing a religion.

Erm..how exactly does one "practice atheism"?

By making a conscious point not to believe every day. It's exhausting, quite frankly.

(October 20, 2014 at 10:51 am)vorlon13 Wrote: Just in regards to Christianity;

all christers attest, aver and affirm the 39,999 other christian denominations are false

atheists attest, aver and affirm all 40,000 are false


Are we that different then ??

Yes, we are. None is qualitatively different that one.