Atheism is a Religion

To me they're like Christians two sides of the same coin. Spiritual stuff is real I know this factually so atheism has to be labeled a religion which believes in disbelief. Their belief is strong, just like a Christian.. but it is only about belief for both sides of the coin. Both of them only have beliefs and usually do not seek anything beyond that. They will share similar fates.

[Starman]

Atheism is a philosophical category, while Christianity is a theological category, but atheism is not and organized group like Christianity. There are lots of different types of atheist, and I guess one can also say there are lots of different types of Christian.

The term atheist is a juxtaposition to Christianity, just like Muslims call non-Muslims “infidels.“ Jews call non-Jews gentiles, etc. Every religion has a name for those who are not part of their religion, this goes back many centuries.

But every religion is fractured into many sects or denominations, who practice their religion differently then other sects or denominations of their own religion. It is the same with atheism. All atheists are not the same. It is important to understand that atheism is but one perspective, or cosmological view. Commonly called theism, which is a person’s thesis on life.

Christians are deists, they believe in a deity called Jesus Christ, but there are also monotheists, which is what Jews are, atheists mostly believe in science, while agnostics may say prove that God exists. A pantheists believes that everything is God, while a polytheist believes in more than one God.

There are lots of different belief systems out there. The word religion means “bond” or to bind. To give reverence to God. But I do understand that you are sharing your view and the way that you see it.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Starman

Atheism is a philosophical category, while Christianity is a theological category, but atheism is not and organized group like Christianity. There are lots of different types of atheist, and I guess one can also say there are lots of different types of Christian.

The term atheist is a juxtaposition to Christianity, just like Muslims call non-Muslims “infidels.“ Jews call non-Jews gentiles, etc. Every religion has a name for those who are not part of their religion, this goes back many centuries.

But every religion is fractured into many sects or denominations, who practice their religion differently then other sects or denominations of their own religion. It is the same with atheism. All atheists are not the same. It is important to understand that atheism is but one perspective, or cosmological view. Commonly called theism, which is a person’s thesis on life.

Christians are deists, they believe in a deity called Jesus Christ, but there are also monotheists, which is what Jews are, atheists mostly believe in science, while agnostics may say prove that God exists. A pantheists believes that everything is God, while a polytheist believes in more than one God.

There are lots of different belief systems out there. The word religion means “bond” or to bind. To give reverence to God. But I do understand that you are sharing your view and the way that you see it.

Agreed. Atheism is a philosophical category and literally not a belief system. I often wonder about 'beleive in science' as if it were similar to believing in a religious fantasy. Science is a system of hypothesising, and then testing, to find out what is true. Science makes no religious claims because where's the repeatable experiment?' If you don't blindly believe in a religious convention because there is no conclusive evidence. If you want to be right in science, you have to prove to your peers that something works. Measure, test, and repeat. If repeatable, then the principle can be used to make accurate predictions, and on the whole, if it can be captured with mathematical formula, it just ain't science.

I think the Christians referred to non-Christians as 'heathens' or 'heretics'. The religious usually make up derogatory words for those without God(s). 'Heathen' implies savages, barbarians, uncivilised, immoral. Heretic implies someone who is hostile toward or at least against Christianity, and therefore evil. Such words are not used kindly. 'Infidel' is also derogatory - often coupled with 'dog' or some other slur. 'Gentile' seems non-judgmental - a neutral way of factually saying someone isn't Jewish.

[Starman]

Originally Posted by Gem

I think the Christians referred to non-Christians as 'heathens' or 'heretics'. The religious usually make up derogatory words for those without God(s). 'Heathen' implies savages, barbarians, uncivilised, immoral. Heretic implies someone who is hostile toward or at least against Christianity, and therefore evil. Such words are not used kindly. 'Infidel' is also derogatory - often coupled with 'dog' or some other slur. 'Gentile' seems non-judgmental - a neutral way of factually saying someone isn't Jewish.

I agree about Christians calling non-believers heathens, etc. Although Gentile in the past was often derogatory as it meant an outsider, removed from the Jewish faith. Not one of us. Today it may be seen as less derogatory and more of a factual reference as you have stated. Atheism just means without a thesis, although many atheists do have a life's thesis.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Starman

I agree about Christians calling non-believers heathens, etc. Although Gentile in the past was often derogatory as it meant and outsider, removed from the Jewish faith. Not one of us. Today it may be seen as less derogatory and more of a factual reference as you have stated. Atheism just means without a thesis, although many atheists do have a life's thesis.

To know 'them' is to know 'ourselves', but the whole thing is a fanciful discursive construct. A troublesome one at that.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Gem

Agreed. Atheism is a philosophical category and literally not a belief system. I often wonder about 'beleive in science' as if it were similar to believing in a religious fantasy. Science is a system of hypothesising, and then testing, to find out what is true. Science makes no religious claims because where's the repeatable experiment?' If you don't blindly believe in a religious convention because there is no conclusive evidence. If you want to be right in science, you have to prove to your peers that something works. Measure, test, and repeat. If repeatable, then the principle can be used to make accurate predictions, and on the whole, if it can be captured with mathematical formula, it just ain't science.

I think the Christians referred to non-Christians as 'heathens' or 'heretics'. The religious usually make up derogatory words for those without God(s). 'Heathen' implies savages, barbarians, uncivilised, immoral. Heretic implies someone who is hostile toward or at least against Christianity, and therefore evil. Such words are not used kindly. 'Infidel' is also derogatory - often coupled with 'dog' or some other slur. 'Gentile' seems non-judgmental - a neutral way of factually saying someone isn't Jewish.

People use names for non-believers apparently to shore up their own weak beliefs.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

People use names for non-believers apparently to shore up their own weak beliefs.

If we'd be absolutely objective we'd see that religion is a story. From the story we create symbols, rituals, costumes, and build churches, statues and temples in an attempt to preserve what would otherwise be a passing thought. It is attachment to thought and when we really delve into it, and that makes it personal. 'I' think these things which makes 'me' a Christian (example).

It's not really the belief in such thoughts that make them scorn 'others', it is the identity of 'I am...', 'we are...'. As they group together under a religious identity umbrella, they are not longer just people like everyone else. The people who did not identify like that become the 'others'. People only create 'others' in order to define themselves. The others become 'not who they are'. It's only natural then to imagine 'others' as 'bad' to define themselves as good, so of course they call 'others' less than kind names (which is quite ironic).

They need the 'other' as a contrast so that they can know who they are. That's why they created 'others' to begin with. I didn't ask or give consent to be 'not what they are' and I am not 'the not' that they need me to be. They can call me things and imagine I am that, but it isn't true, so it follows that what they say they are is not true either.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Starman

Atheism is a philosophical category, while Christianity is a theological category,
but atheism is not and organized group like Christianity.
There are lots of different types of atheist, and I guess one can also say
there are lots of different types of Christian.

Yes, this. I was going to say atheism is a simple belief system - philosophy is a good word, also.
There really are diff types of atheists, I have learned from being on forums~!
But, a religion?


PureEvil - What 'fate' will both have? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Starman

Atheism is a philosophical category, while Christianity is a theological category, but atheism is not and organized group like Christianity. There are lots of different types of atheist, and I guess one can also say there are lots of different types of Christian.

The term atheist is a juxtaposition to Christianity, just like Muslims call non-Muslims “infidels.“ Jews call non-Jews gentiles, etc. Every religion has a name for those who are not part of their religion, this goes back many centuries.

But every religion is fractured into many sects or denominations, who practice their religion differently then other sects or denominations of their own religion. It is the same with atheism. All atheists are not the same. It is important to understand that atheism is but one perspective, or cosmological view. Commonly called theism, which is a person’s thesis on life.

Christians are deists, they believe in a deity called Jesus Christ, but there are also monotheists, which is what Jews are, atheists mostly believe in science, while agnostics may say prove that God exists. A pantheists believes that everything is God, while a polytheist believes in more than one God.

There are lots of different belief systems out there. The word religion means “bond” or to bind. To give reverence to God. But I do understand that you are sharing your view and the way that you see it.

Starman,

First time I have come to this thread. Without wading thru the entirety of the thread.....I think this first response of yours might be the best. This is based on your last paragraph. Religion as I understand it is derived from the Latin....'ligare'.....which as you state means 'bond', 'bind' or as I see it....'connect'. Re-ligare would mean to reconnect or rebind. It is to reconnect to that which has been lost or severed.....that being God or divine revelation. Revelation in its purest form is personal....we do not arrive at epiphany by accepting another's revelation.

Oddly enough in this sense....it is entirely possible that atheists are closer to God than many who are religious adherents. This is simply because they do not labor under conceptions of God that others might be attracted to. This is under the premise that ultimately God is unknowable in His fullness. Conceptions are more in the category of opinions or beliefs....therefore it is logical to accept that many 'conceptions' are, in fact, misconceptions.

I apologize if someone else in response has alluded to this.....

[hallow]

Originally Posted by PureEvil760

To me they're like Christians two sides of the same coin. Spiritual stuff is real I know this factually so atheism has to be labeled a religion which believes in disbelief. Their belief is strong, just like a Christian.. but it is only about belief for both sides of the coin. Both of them only have beliefs and usually do not seek anything beyond that. They will share similar fates.

I always wondered, why follow only one belief system? Why follow any set of beliefs? Once you begin to follow you only limit how much you will grow by how others tell you what to believe,.... what they want you believe and there truths. have to find and follow your own. I will never disregard what others believe, they may have a piece of your puzzle. But that puzzle is massive. Your soul is individual to you and personal. It's not text book/one size fits all.