Is Atheism a religion? in Debate and Controversy Forum

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Is Atheism a religion?

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Vancity	Is Atheism a religion?	Lead	[-]
MVP (Most Valuable Poster)++ Posts: 1290 (02/04/12 15:06:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	http://www.youtube.com/wa...S8E&feature=youtu.be
cangie		#1	[-]
MVP (Most Valuable Poster) Posts: 661 (02/04/12 15:59:40) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Really good points made, Vancity. Thanks for sharing this with us...
strainedcourage		#2	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 227 (02/04/12 16:06:31) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well I didn't watch the video, but in my opinion, atheism obviously isn't a religion, it can't be! Logically. But it has to be admitted... "atheism" is an "ism" now isn't it? I guess I'll take a look at that video you generously shared with us. I hope it isn't long! Thanks.
Traditionalwitch		#3	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 25 (02/04/12 16:45:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I do not believe that Atheism itself is a religion. It would be like taking people of an opinion and sweeping them all into the same box and stereotypical. With that said, Atheism is merely the lack of belief of deities and that's it. There are Atheists in all walks of life and all ways of life. To claim it is a religion of itself I believe is nonsense. Take for example a businesswoman minding her own business merely going about her life, taking care of her affairs, kids, shopping etc. but in her opinion there is no such thing is a god. How can one even claim this kind of person is in a religion without logically claiming that everyone everywhere that exists is in a religion? Who is one to think themselves the authority on this matter to dictate to such person that she's in a religion? Now, onto those that are big proponents of Atheism that make a lot of noise over it. Even them I wouldn't claim a religion, they do not believe in any deities. Their behavior and attitudes itself may even parallel religious people, but unlike religious people, they do not have set doctrine, rituals, practices, etc. They are even free to believe whatever makes their heart go all a flutter as the only requirement for atheism is lack of believe in a deity and that's it. So no, I don't think that trying to cite similarities to pigeon hole a group of people of opinion and viewpoints into a religion makes them a religion. Similarities do not = identity. ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
Traditionalwitch		#4	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 26 (02/04/12 16:48:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	strainedcourage wrote: But it has to be admitted... "atheism" is an "ism" now isn't it? Lesbianism is also an "ism" right? Is Lesbianism a religion or a sexual preference? ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
Traditionalwitch		#5	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 27 (02/04/12 16:50:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	So that both sides of the viewpoint are shared... Atheism Myth: Is Atheism a religion? ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
strainedcourage		#6	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 229 (02/04/12 21:17:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've never heard the word lesbianism used before. But if people are using the word lesbianism all the time, then I guess I have egg on my face about what I said about "isms". What I was trying to say is not that "isms" are religions, but rather that they are something people live by. So I suppose by that definition "ism" works both for lesbianism and for atheism. I have nothing against people who identify with this "ism" or that "ism". I just want to say that "isms" kind of are "isms" and there's nothing wrong with that. Last Edited By: strainedcourage 02/04/12 21:40:33. Edited 2 times.
strainedcourage		#7	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 230 (02/04/12 21:24:29) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Traditionalwitch wrote: I do not believe that Atheism itself is a religion. It would be like taking people of an opinion and sweeping them all into the same box and stereotypical. With that said, Atheism is merely the lack of belief of deities and that's it. There are Atheists in all walks of life and all ways of life. To claim it is a religion of itself I believe is nonsense. Take for example a businesswoman minding her own business merely going about her life, taking care of her affairs, kids, shopping etc. but in her opinion there is no such thing is a god. How can one even claim this kind of person is in a religion without logically claiming that everyone everywhere that exists is in a religion? Who is one to think themselves the authority on this matter to dictate to such person that she's in a religion? Now, onto those that are big proponents of Atheism that make a lot of noise over it. Even them I wouldn't claim a religion, they do not believe in any deities. Their behavior and attitudes itself may even parallel religious people, but unlike religious people, they do not have set doctrine, rituals, practices, etc. They are even free to believe whatever makes their heart go all a flutter as the only requirement for atheism is lack of believe in a deity and that's it. So no, I don't think that trying to cite similarities to pigeon hole a group of people of opinion and viewpoints into a religion makes them a religion. Similarities do not = identity. I agree. When people call atheism a religion, it seems like what they really are doing is akin to intimidation. In fact, it sounds a lot like something a bully would say.
Traditionalwitch		#8	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 31 (02/04/12 21:50:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	strainedcourage wrote: I've never heard the word lesbianism used before. But if people are using the word lesbianism all the time, then I guess I have egg on my face about what I said about "isms". What I was trying to say is not that "isms" are religions, but rather that they are something people live by. So I suppose by that definition "ism" works both for lesbianism and for atheism. I have nothing against people who identify with this "ism" or that "ism". I just want to say that "isms" kind of are "isms" and there's nothing wrong with that. To be honest, I am not in agreement with "ism" being coined as something to live by. To claim it is, is to imply that it is the biggest piece of the person and their daily living by or way of life. There are more than enough examples of it to actually be otherwise. For instance, I am an atheist. Some one might use the term atheism to describe me. However, Atheist is a tiny little part of who I am as a person, never mind the fact that it does not at all dictate my way of life. It is not something I live by, it is merely my opinion that no deities exist, and nothing more. Same can be said about a vast amount of Atheists. Take Lesbianism. I don't see this as a way to live by either. They are merely people who have a sexual preference that differs from a hetrosexualism. They don't live by anything any more than hetrosexuals too, and it isn't everything about them either. In my opinion it is a mistake to broad sweep atheists or lesbians as a "way of life" or something to live by just because some thing out there decided to give them an "ism". ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD Last Edited By: Traditionalwitch 02/04/12 21:52:33. Edited 1 times.
AndriaSyxx		#9	[-]
Posts: 23403 (02/04/12 21:52:54) Forum Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Atheism is the lack of a belief system ..... plain and simple really "When you feel like giving up ... remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Author Unknown ~
Traditionalwitch		#10	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 32 (02/04/12 21:55:56) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	strainedcourage wrote: I agree. When people call atheism a religion, it seems like what they really are doing is akin to intimidation. In fact, it sounds a lot like something a bully would say. Ha! That is one way to look at it, I hadn't looked at it from that lens but I can see what you are saying. What it feels like to me is a self-defense mechanism that was set up by people of religions when they got angry about the loudest atheists out there. Like saying "well....you guys are a religion too so there....rah rah rah" lol But yes, it's quite possibly an intimidation or bullying tactic. ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
Traditionalwitch		#11	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 33 (02/04/12 21:59:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	AndriaSyxx wrote: Atheism is the lack of a belief system ..... plain and simple really Exactly! Those that lack the belief in deities are atheists. When I see anything trying to pin them as religion, I think it is like a defense against perhaps the atheists out there that behavior more militant or loud about it that form groups. Democrats and Republicans have their groups too, some more militant and both have their loud mouths making a rukus out there and they aren't religions anymore than atheist groups are. ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
AndriaSyxx		#12	[-]
Posts: 23406 (02/04/12 22:05:05) Forum Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It's not entirely easy for some theists to realise that life DOESN'T in fact revolve around a religion and the associated lifestyle it entails. I think some of them get uptight because they are led to believe those without religion are hedonistic creatures who have no morals, no conscience and no purpose in life. I find that amusing and frustrating. "When you feel like giving up ... remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Author Unknown ~
strainedcourage		#13	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 232 (02/04/12 22:08:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dictionary definition of "ism": a distinctive doctrine, theory, system, or practice: This is the age of isms. -ism a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nouns from verbs (baptism); on this model, used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice, state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion or adherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism). Compare -ist, -ize. Origin: < Greek -ismos, -isma noun suffixes, often directly, often through Latin -ismus, -isma, sometimes through French -isme, German -ismus (all ultimately < Gk) For the record, I agree with you. Just because somebody believes something, doesn't mean they live by it. It's just a belief, and nothing more. In popular usage, people might use "ism" in a different way than I do, though. I certainly wouldn't use a word with "ism" to describe something that is merely a belief, and nothing more. I'm just trying to be precise with how I use words. Sometimes I am misunderstood because of that.
AndriaSyxx		#14	[-]
Posts: 23408 (02/04/12 22:09:49) Forum Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	No need to apologise SC ... words can be interpreted in many different ways and can also vary in meaning from country to country "When you feel like giving up ... remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Author Unknown ~
strainedcourage		#15	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 233 (02/04/12 22:13:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Haha, I don't see any apology in my post! (inside joke)
Traditionalwitch		#16	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 35 (02/04/12 22:15:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Now you see exactly why I am not happy with "ism" being applied to the term. By definition of an "ism" as you correctly shared, it doesn't fit with everyone. Like if one were to follow me around for a week or two, they wouldn't even think about putting an "ism" on anything about my lack of belief in a god. lol So "Atheism" to me is a very bad term that serves to broad stroke everyone blindly and recklessly. Perhaps some of the formed groups out there are sooooo obsessed with being atheists that it manifests itself as their way of life or practice, I would say Okay they earned the "Atheism" label fair and square. Even then as we both see, it doesn't make it a religion. It would be as silly as calling feminism a religion. ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD Last Edited By: Traditionalwitch 02/04/12 22:19:44. Edited 1 times.
AndriaSyxx		#17	[-]
Posts: 23410 (02/04/12 22:15:23) Forum Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	strainedcourage wrote: Haha, I don't see any apology in my post! (inside joke) Bloody hell SC ... I must be seeing things "When you feel like giving up ... remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Author Unknown ~
strainedcourage		#18	[-]
Platinum Level Member Posts: 234 (02/04/12 22:16:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I edited it out. Because somebody was kind enough to point out to me that I apologize too much!
Traditionalwitch		#19	[-]
Gold Level Member Posts: 36 (02/04/12 22:17:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	strainedcourage wrote: Haha, I don't see any apology in my post! (inside joke) Good! You have nothing to be sorry about, anyways! Nothing at all wrong with a discussion about words or what not, right? ~I do not fear things that go bump in the night for I am that of which goes bump in the night~ By Me :^) WITCHBOARD
AndriaSyxx		#20	[-]
Posts: 23411 (02/04/12 22:18:11) Forum Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	thought so ... well good for you mate!!! "When you feel like giving up ... remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Author Unknown ~

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