exactly///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Atheism in general is a rejection of a specific belief. That specific belief being a belief in a god or gods.

Individuals who are atheists may have beliefs about the universe, but it's not due to their atheism.

It would be like saying baldness is a hair color.

Actually, atheism is simply the lack of belief in a supreme being or deities. Atheism includes no belief, one cannot believe the lack of belief in a deity. Assuming having the opinion that there might be some powerful beings then it is a world view.

Theism, the belief in one or more deities. If it is actual "religious" belief (absolutely thinking it is so with no evidence at all), it is religion. If simply as assuming, then a world view.

Atheism cannot be a religion because theism is also not a religion (in the general sense). There is no religion based on atheism, as far as I am aware (even if there were some it wouldn't be the same as deity based religions), but there are many based on theism.

They could both be considered as religions but not in the same sense as general religions (one word, more than one definition).

Plus I'm fairly certain the debate's creator meant it as a general religion, and that is false. Should've clarified that part a bit.