Is Atheism a Religion?

[The_Flying_Skeptic]

Theists have told me "Atheism is a religion."

Problem here is, and we get them coming in here all the time, is that most theists who argue this don't know, and usually don't want to know, what atheism actually means. They only care about proselytizing their beliefs and reinforcing those by trying to be intellectually dishonest by wanting to either hear an admission of guilt or the magic words "I don't know" from us. They are not here to learn.

I had a similar conversation with a batshit crazy Christian woman who didn't understand she was a monotheist. Any attempt to try and help her understand the differences between theism and atheism and what the labels actually meant she would change the subject or follow up with a non sequitur response.

We wouldn’t have even graced a month before someone comes barging in here trying to tell us we’re just atheists because we want to sin. There's no point trying to reason with people like that.

The way I've seen atheists respond to the accusation that atheism is just as much a religion as Christianity, for example, misses the point that atheism is not a religion for the same reason that 'theism' is not a religion. Atheism is a characteristic of many philosophies, including Buddhism. The way I've seen atheist respond is by defining religion by example and comparing that example to atheism. This is not incorrect but we are missing the chance to explain that atheism is a broad field.

[Anymouse]

So, disagreeing with someone is somehow tantamount to trying to get them to give up their religion? Therefore, essentially the only way to avoid being accused of attempts at conversion is to agree with everyone?

No, but I've seen posts on this forum from people going out of their way to argue with the religious.

I don't recall anyone going "out of their way" to argue with me (and I am open about being religious, just not out to convert others to my religious thinking).

And one wonders just how much "atheist conversion" is going on at this forum when any religious person who comes here does so of their free will knowing full well what sort of forum this is, posts of their free will, and can likely expect to receive answers from atheists who do not agree with their religious beliefs.

(They might not expect to receive answers to posts from Wiccans, as this is not witchvox.org - but anyone going there also knows what to expect - and Witchvox has to fight off many more Christians claiming they are being "preached at" than the folk on this group.)

It is hardly an "attempt at conversion" any more than if I walk across the street to the Lutheran church and strike up a conversation with the pastor about religion. I would be on their turf, and if they did not burn me on the brand new cross they just erected there, they would be defending their claims. That is their turf.

Likewise, an atheist talking about atheism is not "preaching" on this forum. Unless you were Rickrolled here, you challenged them on their own turf. You are doing the converting, not the atheists. For more on that there is a short YouTube video: youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&ob=av2e

An atheist could only be accused of "attempting to convert Christians" if they went to a Christian forum (I don't know any of those and if I found myself on one would close my browser to avoid tracking.)

Anyone who comes on this forum challenging the opinions or facts that atheists can marshal is not "being converted by atheists" if they get a response. They are getting an answer to their challenges. Is that not why they came here, unless they came to convert people themselves? (otherwise known as "trolling")
James.

[Atheistfreethinker]

Atheism is not a religion. Religion is a collection of beliefs. Atheism by definition is a lack of belief. The title "atheist" doesn't incorporate the reason a person has a lack of belief it is just the lack of belief. To cloud up the issue with why a person has a lack of belief is circular reasoning and it is the favorite method of argument amongst theists and religious zealots. They can't be happy just believing in their superstitions unless they can get other people to believe it too. They think the more people who believe that a superstition is true then it reaffirms their belief. More circular reasoning.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups! Atheists are like revolutionaries against a tyrannical regime. You can't make someone become a revolutionary. They have to come to that conclusion themselves. When they have had enough they will open their minds and put away childish things. Weak minds have a need to believe in something greater than themselves. Not only to believe in but become a serf to this superstition that they have created.