The only thing "atheist" means is "off" on one claim. Outside that common "off" on claims of god, we are very different. I know atheists who love Ayn Rand and would support the Koch Brothers. I know other atheists who love Che which lead to Cuba, and stupidly think you can rid 7 billion people of the private sector. I know others who buy 9/11 conspiracies. And it is also possible to be a cultural religious person without believing in a god. Jews and Buddhists can like the rituals and grouping but don't believe in gods.
Atheists form clubs like everyone else, but the word itself is talking about one position on one claim. It is not a moral code, it is not a political party, it is not a religion, it is not a class, it is not a loyalty oath. It simply means "off" on god claims. Sam Harris is an atheist but I don't like his Buddhism fetish. Ayn Rand was an atheist, but I hate her economic views.
Now if someone wants to claim that Atheists can try to turn it into a religion, sure, I hope they don't because at that point it will be ridged and political and poison like every other religion. But the word "atheist" by itself is not a religion.
Atheists form clubs like everyone else, but the word itself is talking about one position on one claim. It is not a moral code, it is not a political party, it is not a religion, it is not a class, it is not a loyalty oath. It simply means "off" on god claims. Sam Harris is an atheist but I don't like his Buddhism fetish. Ayn Rand was an atheist, but I hate her economic views.
Now if someone wants to claim that Atheists can try to turn it into a religion, sure, I hope they don't because at that point it will be ridged and political and poison like every other religion. But the word "atheist" by itself is not a religion.
