How I got Out of Religion.

[KichigaiNeko]

Atheism is not a religion nor a philosophy it is in my opinion the negation of religion altogether. Atheist's have no philosophy to follow or unholy texts to read or places of non-worship the definition of the word atheism speaks for itself A = without theism = god/or gods. I have had a rough road to recovery coming from an extremely fundamental church that believed in the practice of faith healing, tongues and all the other so called gifts of the holy spirit. I used to preach and believe every single word in the bible as literal and the inspired word of god no matter how ridiculous it seemed at the time. We were taught not to question anything in there for fear of committing the unpardonable sin of inadvertently blaspheming the holy spirit.

But according to Wiki definition it is. Atheism is as Adrian has stated

Usually, when an Encyclopedia says something like this, it means it. I'm not confusing Buddhism with Hinduism, you are confusing the definition of a religion with something that only exists in your own mind apparently. Buddhism has always been a religion. Religions don't always require theism as a central tenet. If you thought this was true, you were wrong.

There are many "religions" along with Buddhism that do not have a-theist stand point.

Wiki- Atheism
In Western culture, atheists are frequently assumed to be exclusively irreligious or unspiritual.[10] However, religious and spiritual belief systems such as forms of Buddhism that do not advocate belief in gods, have also been described as atheistic.[11]

I sympathise with you on your road to atheism in a very theist orientated family....it ain't easy I know!

Still it would seem that getting hung up about 'labels' is more the issue here

This forums and others are the only place I have to express my feelings and opinions on religious beliefs since I am the only atheist in my entire family.

I just wonder if we are really just swapping one religious belief/belief system for another?