A challenge to Statler Waldorf

[Statler Waldorf]

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After 15 pages, you've made a sound argument in defense of your position. Kudos for that. Now, as for a-fairyism, I still wouldn't consider that a religion. Not believing in fairies doesn't require faith. There is no spiritualism involved. That is a defining characteristic of religion that simply does not exist in atheist. Yes some atheists are aggressive, yes we gather in groups of like minded individuals, yes we write books and do talk shows and have seminars. But there is no doctrine in atheism about existentialism. Religion gives an explanation for why we are here, most atheists do not bother with why, only how. Atheists pray to no one, while the new atheism movement has its champions, none are revered to the extent of messiahs. Regardless of your interpretation of what people say about "coming out" it isnt spiritual. Atheism has no canonized doctrine, no spiritualism, doesn't bother with the existential questions. We do not bow to statues, we do not deify animals or men. What is the message in atheism? Grow up, leave these juvenile notions behind and lets make a better future. The aggressive, take no prisoners political political movement may have some parallels to its opposition, but it offers no alternative to the spiritual and philosophical side of religion, which differentiates religions from each other

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Thanks for the kudos.

I am not sure if having faith is something all religions require. Is it in the definition? I didn't look. However, I think that everyone has to have faith in some form regardless of their worldview. As to atheism not answering "why?", isn't telling people that life really has no overlying purpose still answering that question? Penny for your thoughts?