Atheism is a religion

[houseofcantor]

Does it irritates you when religious people say Atheism is a religion?

Hi, I'm a Christian looking for a good conversation. I have a comment, and I hope you reply so I can understand your thinking more clearly. It seems that Christians have told you that you have a religion, and this seems absurd because you don't believe in the supernatural (I'm assuming this; please correct if I am wrong). I think it makes more sense for a Christian to say that you have a world view because everyone has a world view. A world view is a construct that we use to answer important questions, make sense of the world around us, and live our day to day lives. In my world view, I acknowledge the supernatural along with natural world. This may sound like blind (read dumb) faith, but I actually think that coming to the conclusion that a supernatural world exists is a very rational and logic activity. You, I assume, would disagree with that last statement, but that is a conversation for another post.

In my understanding of a naturalist/atheist world view, something can only be trusted/known/believed in/etc... if it can be scientifically proven (scientific method/repeatable tests and outcomes). I'm wondering if this claim for the basis of knowledge (that I hope I got right) can be scientifically proven. I take that back. I have reasoned that the claim is logically invalid and therefore does not hold up under the weight of its own requirements.

Now, I'm a big fan of the scientific method, and I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bath water here. My point is that it takes a certain level of faith in its most essential premise to adhere to a naturalistic world view. And that is why I think some Christians might claim that atheism is a religion. Both Christians and atheists start with an incomplete set of data, make inferences, search for answers that are intellectually credible and existentially satisfying, and draw conclusions. I surmise that that my world view is superior, and so does everyone else. That is why we chose our particular world view. Not because we are certain, but because the hypothesis we came to fits that data better than anything else.

Please pick apart my thinking. I am sure there are some holes in my argument, but I think it is rather compelling. I would truly enjoy a discussion regarding belief formation and the similarities and differences between atheism and Christianity.


Thanks for reading.

You are an ignorant fool who does not read the rules... First half of your our story should be in the Introduction thread, The rest?? Meh

Australian women...

I might hafta go down there... Jared, I got faith. Me and my Gwynnies. You don't need to hear it. Atheist.