Atheism is a religion (according to D. Smartt)

[Minimalist]

It does seem that Mr. Smartt has made some errors in his article. What do you think?

Mr. Smartt should change his name to Mr. Shitheadd.

[Cyberman]

Smartt (and Smart) by name, smart by...

Sorry, there's no way I can complete that without cracking up.

[Faith No More]

They believe in God but they hate him obscenely.

I can't help but think that people that say things such as this have created their own image of atheists as a defense mechanism against the fact that other people are justified in not believing in their god. It hurts to think that god might not be real, so everyone actually believes in him!

[frz]

They believe in God but they hate him obscenely. I think this is the root of all of atheism.

These guys are as contradictory as their bible stories because here, according Mr. Smarty pants, we believe in god but hate him. So he is calling us satanists. Another thing that atheism doesn't partake in. Wow!

[Darkstar]

Seeing as how people have already noted the irony of his surname, I think I'll just deconstruct this for fun.

The article states that atheism has six of the seven attributes of a religion (defined by Ninian Smart);
it is narrative (evolution is a story that leads to atheism)

Atheism and evolution are not mutually inclusive, nor are theism and evolution mutually exclusive. Acceptance of evolution was not the deciding factor in my deconversion. The only form of theism evolution conflicts with is creationism. There are so many other types that are compatible with evolution (even theistic evolution) that I couldn't hope to list them here. Correct me if I am wrong, but the previous pope accepted evolution, did he not?

, experiential (it requires faith in abiogenesis),

If there was so much faith needed, then why would scientists still be trying to prove it? Why hasn't it been accepted as definitive truth, if there is so much faith in it?

social (atheists convert religious people to atheism via teaching evolution),

Only in creationists' nightmares would anything that ridiculous happen.

doctrinal (Secular Humanism is a doctrine of atheism),

No it isn't.

ethical (it gives moral guidelines, which are derived from other religions)

Just because some atheists may happen to agree with some common moral guidelines that theists also agree with (such as genocide being wrong...no I am not even going there), that does not mean they are derived. That, and there is no code that is accepted by all atheists or officially atheist. A lack of a particular belief does not instill moral guidelines in and of itself.

and material (nature is treated as divine).

By what definition of divine?

Definition of DIVINE

1
a : of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god <divine love>
b : being a deity <the divine Savior>
c : directed to a deity <divine worship>
2
a : supremely good : superb <the pie was divine>
b : heavenly, godlike

Do they mean 2a? Like divine pie?

And there is more. One of the comments (again, not my views):
"They [atheists] use circular reasoning, bait and switch tactics, and the 'pot calling the kettle black' routine. I myself used to believe in evolution until I went for higher education and I noticed problems in the theories that were largely ignored. (...)

Why is it that people like this always project the flaws of their religion onto atheists?

They believe in God but they hate him obscenely. I think this is the root of all of atheism." (sic)
(the text between square brackets is added by me)

Someone doesn't know the definition of atheism...

I hope to god (pun intended) that no one takes this guy seriously. But at least some people will, I'm sure...

[LastPoet]

I seem to remember that Statler Waldorf tried to pull the same pile of steaming shit as this Mr Smartt. Along with the speed of light not always being the same.

But taking a look at where he posted that kinda explains it all

[Minimalist]

I seem to remember that Statler Waldorf tried to pull the same pile of steaming shit as this Mr Smartt.

Much in common, there.

[CapnAwesome]

The only problem I see in the article is that every single word of it is total bullshit.

[Minimalist]

You must admit that is a major drawback....although not to jesus freaks who don't know the difference.

[Esquilax]

Hey, does this mean we can all take a break from the usual cogent argumentation and facts, and just rely on the same impenetrable bullshit that we often get from theists? Can we claim bigotry the moment anyone criticizes atheism?

I wouldn't want to, but it'd be nice to know there's another card in the deck, so to speak.