Reflecting on Atheism.

[arvind13]

So... only christianity is a religion. Every other form of organized belief in extra-ordinary entities and powers is.... something else for which we don't have a single word... perhaps "cult".
But wait... not all christianity... catholics, only?... perhaps it was the orthodox that coined the term "religion"...
oh boy... we have a word commonly used with a meaning that you have just erased... not a smart way to interact with other people using something called "language".

Well, Christianity has a certain structure which makes it into a religion.This same structure is shared by two other entities: Islam and Judaism. So these three are the only religions in the world.

In my last post I spoke about the need for a scientific theory of religion, which lays bare the structure of religion, outlines the empirical consequences. Fortunately such a theory exists: http://www.hipkapi.com/2011/03/05/the-re...angadhara/

The theory solves many problems (as any scientific theory should) and answers many questions, such as:

Are beliefs central to religion? If so, Why?

Why are doctrines so important to religion?

What is the relationship between doctrines and religious practice?

What is worship?

This theory shows us why Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are the only religion. And its not so much about the word or concept religion. These three phenomena share a structure. Instead of calling this structure religion, call it X. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are examples of X. The pagan traditions of Greece, Rome, and Asia are not examples of X

And for the members mentioning that there were those that identified themselves as atheists long before Judaism and Christianity:

When Greeks and Romans used the word Atheos, they were referring to those who refused to take part in certain traditions, and rejected certain practices. The same applies to 'Nasthiks' (commonly translated as Atheists) in India. These were people who refused or rejected practices like going to the temple or participating in certain festivals.

But this had nothing to do with beliefs, as traditions weren't based on and didn't revolve around a belief system.

After Europe became Christian, the meaning of the word 'Atheos' radically transformed. Now it meant not believing in or 'lack of belief' in God. it became all about belief.