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Well I when I say religion I automatically think it's things that people worship things that aren't really necessary to worship such as statues, trees, plants, and other things that go along with the list. And I would also consider atheism a religion because they believe in something that doesn't exist.
Well if it's not a religion then how come churches are being built if it's not a religion? I have heard atheists on this site who said that if a religion has a church and doctrine it's considered a religion.
Oh really? Care to explain this article that I just found in the news today that atheists just established churches for atheists. So now we can consider atheism a religion.
Since atheism is a position on a particular religious claim, I'd have to say that yes, atheism is inherently religious in nature.
That is not to say, however, that atheism is, in and of itself, a religion. More like an ingredient or a foundation for a religion, requiring at least a few more beliefs, rules, ceremonies, etc. to be fully realized as a religion.
Of course, this could depend on how you go about defining "religion." Just doing a quick search, I see that one definition on Merriam-Webster is "an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group."
Atheism could be a religion under that definition, but then again, so could just about anything. Is fishing a religion? Video games? Debating online?
Atheism could be a religion under that definition, but then again, so could just about anything. Is fishing a religion? Video games? Debating online?
Should we establish a church of createdebate then, where we go to debate with each other and call it religious practice invent holidays to get us out of school/work? XD
Well my response was a joke his/hers post about meriam define an interest being able to be a religion so we wouldn't need one according to that. I guess we could have beliefs revolving around debating, and debating could be our ritual.
I think that it is religious because of having it's own belief of theism and morals to believe in or fallow. Atheists get bashed and called ignorant by other religions because of their disbelief in religions based on spiritual prayers and beliefs religion. As there is religious term "Theism" there is a opposing side called "Atheism." - Atheists believe in science and scientific evidence gathered by many ages ago because they are truly evident. But for example Christianity would worship the Jesus as the Bible commands. - My thought is this. If Atheism isn't religious in any sort of way then why would many Atheists stand their ground on their beliefs and statements in which they believe. Non-religious person wouldn't make a big deal of the whole belief thing. - Am I correct or wrong and why?
Yes, it does. The dictionary defines religion as "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe". That does not necessarily require the presence of a God or any form of worship. It's merely a belief in something. Agnosticism is a religion and they believe some sort of superhuman being is there, but never practice any sort of worship towards it, therefore no worship is required. Atheism is a belief, and therefore a religion.
Wait... where did you get your definition? Mine says differently... and Agnosticism does not believe in a higher power. It believes in the possibility of a higher power.
I got my definition from the dictionary. And yes, Agnostics does believe in a higher power, but think about it; it they do believe in one they are Agnostic, and if they don't its back to Atheism. Agnostics who believe there isn't a God are Atheists.
Agnostics question whether a higher power truly exists. I'm an Agnostic. We believe in the possibility of a God. We also believe in the possibility that God doesn't exist.
They're like "We know something is probably going on. But, we don't want to say, or 'believe', anything because not one person can know the truth about anything. Therefore, nothing will be said or definitive, herego, nothing is truth."
It's funny because they just made a claim about something they believe in, yet take the back seat and claim that there are no definitive answers for any questions.
Agnosticism doesn't require a belief. It's simply saying "I don't know" regarding the existence of God. It's really the stance everyone should take, but most people decide to jump to a conclusion when in fact they really don't know.
If you don't know anything. Then why are you still alive? As a human, especially, they exist because they know something; they believe in something. Whatever it may be. You exist because you have belief. You exist because you want to be alive. You do not have to be alive. I do not condone suicide. Though, I do emphasize that no matter what people think, there are always beliefs and curiosity within the human mind. Science exists because it claims "we do not know and we want to know", and so if the science community can claim it will continue on, why not you? I'm guessing you're a huge fan of science, as I am a huge fan of science (as a believer in X, Y, Z God).
So, yes agnosticism DOES require a belief. Humans are not humans without belief; it is who they are.
If humans did nothing but say "I do not know" we wouldn't be humans! Simple as that. The knowledge gained is very important. And so is the knowledge that has not been gained yet. Belief is important to continue the quest to want to want to know that knowledge that which it seeks.
It's almost like agnostics are claiming they're empty vessels strolling (or trolling) along the universe for no reason. There is always reason. There is never non-reason with human beings.
Evolution says humans are here because of X, Y, Z reasons. And you, as a human, are part of the same thing.
Stop trying to not be a part of the human being! Human beings can, and are, be wonderful creatures!
If you don't know anything. Then why are you still alive?
We're talking about religion here. Agnosticism doesn't apply to everything.
As a human, especially, they exist because they know something; they believe in something. Whatever it may be. You exist because you have belief.
Belief in a religion isn't the reason for existence.
You exist because you want to be alive. You do not have to be alive. I do not condone suicide.
Well, no shit. But what does that have to do with believing or not believing in God? An Agnostic wants to stay alive, at least in my case, because we don't know what comes after death. It may be an afterlife, which would be nice, but it's important to live our lives to the fullest, in case that afterlife doesn't exist.
Though, I do emphasize that n matter what people think, there are always beliefs and curiosity within the human mind.
Again, no shit... but we're specifically talking about religious beliefs.
Science exists because it claims "we do not know and we want to know", and so if the science community can claim it will continue on, why not you?
I never said that I don't want to know. I do! But we will find the answer to the God mystery after we pass away... or we won't find it, because we may just be dead. Humans cannot solve this mystery in our lifetimes, we can only come up with theories.
I'm guessing you're a huge fan of science, as I am a huge fan of science (as a believer in X, Y, Z God).
Well, you're wrong. I'm open to learning about science, but I find it boring. See, sometimes it makes more sense to just ask the questions rather than make the assumptions.
So, yes agnosticism DOES require a belief.
You have truly looked way too deep into the term belief. Of course Agnostics have beliefs, but they don't settle with one when it comes to God.
It's almost like agnostics are claiming they're empty vessels strolling (or trolling) along the universe for no reason.
Okay, it's clear that you think Agnosticism is defined as "the lack of belief", but that isn't what it is. An Agnostic is a person who does not have a definite belief about whether GOD exists or not... not everything, just GOD.
No, I believe Agnostics act like they have a lack of belief when they obviously do have beliefs.
What religious beliefs do they have?
I'm not looking too deep; I am looking exactly where I ought to be looking, as far as this is concerned.
You were looking at beliefs in general, not beliefs regarding the existence of a God.
Agnostics' belief of "not having a definite" belief of God is what I call bullshit on.
Which is dumb. It doesn't require a belief when you know that you don't have a belief on a particular topic. People believe something when they don't have definitive proof, otherwise it would just be knowledge.
They obviously do. You obviously made a belief and claim of Gods existence.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
Also by your argument that makes everything a religion, not liking the color red, disliking motorcycles, not believing in Santa ect.. so pretty much every opinion is a religion.
Bottom line religion is a group of people that follow blindly or a cult with much larger numbers, not believing in something is not a religion just as much as believing in flying pigs.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
I'm spiritual in my own way, but I'm not delusional.
P.S. also far from the idiot, I'm not the one believing in fairly tails just because it makes my pussy feel good, so go talk that shit to someone else.
The minimum argument length is 50 characters. The purpose of this restriction is to cut down on the amount of dumb jokes, so we can keep the quality of debate and discourse as high as possible.
Atheism is the lack of religion. Having said that, all humans hold beliefs, and beliefs are the fundamentals of religion, therefore if Atheists believe that religion is false, they have a belief in something and it is a religion. (This also introduces a paradox, because again Atheism is the lack of religion yet it is still a kind of religion.)
And that's exactly why most Buddhists try to argue that they are not a religion. Most of them believe in a higher power though, or some sort of supernatural force.
Yes, exactly. Atheists reject the worship of a God(s), and the definition of religion is the worship of God(s). Let's use simple middle school algebra to figure this one out, kids :D ! If x = Atheism, Y = Worship of God(s), and Z = Religion, we can obviously say that Y = Z and that X is not equal to Y. If this is true, which it is, then X is not equal to Z, which when the variables are removed states that Atheism is not equal to Religion. Your homework for tonight is to learn how to do simple algebra as depicted above.
3: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group
SOURCE: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives more than one correct definition for any given word. The third and above referenced definition is applicable to atheism and is accepted by the official Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a true definition.
Atheism by definition is the abscence of religion. It is the rejection of theistic claims. Saying Atheism is a religon is like calling abstinence a sex position. You sir are technically an atheist, from what i read from your bio you are catholic, well then you dont believe in allah, thor, zeus, shiva or any other theistic religous dieties other than the christian one. Therefore you are an atheist towards them, I take it one step further and reject all of them including yours. Btw, buddhists are technically atheists because they worship no deity, atheism has no specific doctrine. Its not a religion, its the rejection of religion.
If I told you bigfoot walked through my yard would you believe me? Probably not, why? Because I have not presented you with evidence to convince you. But how would you react if i said that "well, unless you can DISPROVE that bigfoot walked through my yard, I'm right", you would probably say im crazy. Just like how when you claim that there is a magical man in the sky who created everything, I say that I dont believe you, Im not making a claim here, it is you who is making the claim, the default position of any spectacular claim is to remain skeptical until you are shown evidence. The burden of proof isnt on me, its on you
Religion is belief, and Atheism is belief, because atheism has many points of view Have we life after death or not. According to one wide-spread opinion of Atheism, God does not exist and after death people come to Darkness and emptiness. It means that Atheism is one type of religion. Religion is not belief only to God. Satanism is also religion, Sectarianism is also religion.
Religion is a definition of believing in deities, yes. But why the word religion defines the whole aspect for you in the same manner. Like there are religions witch worship Jesus, Buddha and so on.. With keeping in mind that there are many more religious beliefs in certain things. - I just read an argument about a Tooth Fairy, and I would consider it as religion but more like a cultural belief for children. - Theism cuts a certain half in Religion and so does Atheism. It's like Theism <-- Religion --> Atheism. Not all religions belief in spiritual desires. For example Satanism teaches human's carnal desires in first place rather than pray for someone. And they don't pray for devil, they choose themselves in what they worship, like themselves, beloved, dreams. Atheism Religions would consider Humanistic believes. - Atheism wouldn't be lack of Religion because there just isn't believe in Gods. Even though Atheism represent Gods in their won perspectives. - Worshiping God is by definition the worshiping of higher powers, because where were told that. But you didn't thought that our time had changed and there are many doubts about his existence (God).
I think you have the wrong idea about what religion really is. To truly understand it, you need to look at the characteristics of religions past and present, not just the definition. They include a belief system and a community... those characteristics do fit into Atheism and Agnosticism, but religion also includes myths, moral guidelines, rituals, physical or material expression (idols, paintings, music, architecture, etc,.) and a sense of sacredness. When looking at the big picture, Atheism doesn't fit into all of those categories.
You convinced me. I was wrong with my statements. I thought that Atheism is a part of Religion, even when it differs from other Religions with their perspectives. They had a logical explanations more than disbelieves in God. Thanks!
The definition of religion is the belief in and worship of a controlling superhuman power a God or Gods , so the question is nonsensical to say the least
Atheism is simply the position that those who claim the existence of a god or gods have not met their burden of proof...that's it. It is not the position that no gods exist.
I think bible thumpers want everyone to be as miserable as themselves , so they want to brand Atheism as a religion....religion a definition for bible thumpers (sorry fellow Atheists for explaining what religion is )
The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
How can a person with no religion means he's religious? No worship, no pray to something for something, no church/ temple / mosque, no sacrifies, no fees. Atheism is definitely not a religion.