Nymphs
Well-Known Member
Because this particular forum puts it in a 'religion' section, you are going to ignore the definition of the word?
Atheism is not a religion -- plain and simple.
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Why choose atheism?
- Thread starter Desert Snake
- Start date
Because this particular forum puts it in a 'religion' section, you are going to ignore the definition of the word?
Atheism is not a religion -- plain and simple.
Notwithstanding your correct assertion, atheism is still a view about the supernatural,
ie, that we disbelieve in gods. And many of us will further state there are no gods
or supernatural world.
Nonetheless, atheism is viewed be a great many as one alternative to religion.
And in the legal system, it is treated as a religion in protections given.
If you were to adopt atheism because of what you thought it offered you, you would most likely be lacking in intellectual integrity and honesty.
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Great. Then why is it in the Religion DIR?
No it isn't. It is the absence of a belief in god(s) and has nothing to do with other things supernatural.
Atheism isn't disbelief in gods. It's no belief in gods.
Those of you who state this are strong atheists. Strong atheism is a subset of atheism. All atheists have no belief in gods, strong atheists believe there are no gods.
Sure. Why not. Simpler than inventing a whole new category.
It's in the "Non-Religion DIR", if that matters anyway.
Why not if it is convenient putting atheism there? "Many Christians seem to believe that atheism is a religion, but no one with an accurate understanding of both concepts would make such a mistake. Atheism lacks every one of the characteristics of religion. At most, atheism doesn’t explicitly exclude most of them, but the same can be said for almost anything. Thus, it’s not possible to call atheism a religion. It can be part of a religion, but it can’t be a religion by itself. They are completely different categories: atheism is the absence of one particular belief while religion is a complex web of traditions and beliefs." http://atheism.about.com/od/definitionofatheism/p/AtheismReligion.htm
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
It probably 'matters' as much as the votes on my 'Hamburger vs. Cheeseburger' thread.
Where you see a significance difference, I see only different words decribing the same thing.
It has to do with rejecting these supernatural beings.
This seems insignificant hair splitting.
I'm already familiar with the distinction between strong & weak atheism. Note how loosely "DIR" (discuss individual religion) is applied here on RF.
I only pointed out some variety among us heathens.
Still, atheism functions like religion in some respects. Religious people so often view it as an alternative to their worldview, that it functions as a complement, or even adversary. And consider atheism's legal status. Under fair housing laws, atheism is protected the same as religion here.
Ref:
Should Atheism Be Protected from Religious Discrimination?
This is why it's reasonable to say atheism is not a religion, even though it functions like one in some contexts.
It's fine if some want to consider atheism to mean "not theism," as you've described, but others use the word to mean, "I don't believe in god/s." Those people deserve a nod, too.
Huge difference. An atheist says "I neither believe gods exist nor do I believe gods don't exist". A strong atheist says "I believe gods don't exist". Do they say the same thing?
What you really believe.
No, those who say that are atheists. These others you speak of say "I believe gods don't exist".
Those people are called 'strong atheists' and are a subset of atheists. Calling them 'strong atheists' is the nod.
Of course not. But that doesn't address the issue of atheism functioning like a religion at times.
Btw, there are also in-between atheists, who say I believe gods don't exist, but
this is only a non-provable speculation. That's where I fit in. How about you?
Then you see the difference then.
It doesn't. It can't. It has no "function". It's just an absence of belief in gods.
I'm probably a rationalist and an agnostic weak atheist.
Woo hoo, detente!
Gjallarhorn
N'yog-Sothep
Your agenda is transparent enough already without statements like this, thanks.
Nymphs
Well-Known Member
Where else would you suggest putting it? I'm not a mod, so why are you asking me?
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Atheism is merely one inevitable conclusion resulting from a worldview based on rationality. Rationality offers many advantages and benefits in life to those with an affinity and respect for it. Sadly, however, this applies to very few people - and never to people who can't recognize the benefits of rationality for themselves.