Religion

[BrooklynZoo]

thank you for picking up psychlaws attemp to define atheism as a reigion. The word atheism is of amazing non-content,that is, it merely refers to the notion that one refutes the evidence attempting to support a theism (i.e miricales), and does not shed any light on the persons beliefs (as not believing in something can hardly be called a belief in itself). Educated athiests also acknowledge the unfalsifiable nature of many religions, that is, it is impossible to disprove the existence of a divine being. Yet the arguement of unfalsifiablity is noted for its exteme weakness.

[sxcalexc]

thank you for picking up psychlaws attemp to define atheism as a reigion. The word atheism is of amazing non-content,that is, it merely refers to the notion that one refutes the evidence attempting to support a theism (i.e miricales), and does not shed any light on the persons beliefs (as not believing in something can hardly be called a belief in itself). Educated athiests also acknowledge the unfalsifiable nature of many religions, that is, it is impossible to disprove the existence of a divine being. Yet the arguement of unfalsifiablity is noted for its exteme weakness.

Good to see a fellow humanist!

[Mao]

Atheism is a religion
there are equal amounts of evidence to say God exists and God does not exist, i.e. none.
to believe that there is no God, you make a leap of faith just like all other theists.

if you say "i believe in whatever science finds out", then you are not an atheist. You are 'agnostic'.

[bturville]

The definition of atheism is an ABSENCE of belief, so how can it be a belief?

[vcestar]

Atheism is a religion
there are equal amounts of evidence to say God exists and God does not exist, i.e. none.
to believe that there is no God, you make a leap of faith just like all other theists.

if you say "i believe in whatever science finds out", then you are not an atheist. You are 'agnostic'.

Dont be such a logical dickwad.

[psychlaw]

The definition of atheism is an ABSENCE of belief, so how can it be a belief?

The absence of a belief OF GOD

It is a religion as you believe that there is no god. It is still a belief.

[bturville]

The definition of atheism is an ABSENCE of belief, so how can it be a belief?

The absence of a belief OF GOD

Obviously, that was implied.

It is a religion as you believe that there is no god.

Watch your definition of religion there

[hard]

It is a religion as you believe that there is no god.

Watch your definition of religion there

agreed

[sxcalexc]

I'm going to quote my post as you don't seem to understand the message.

u imply that atheism is a religion..............hah

Religion = A belief
Atheism = Is a belief

it may not be a religion as such, but it wasn't irrelevant in Dekoyls context

That's definitely not true psychlaw. Atheism is defined as a 'lack' of belief. There are some 'strong' atheists that deny any possibility of a god existing altogether but you'll find the most are of the view that existence of a god is more unlikely than likely. I am of this view myself. I do not commit to believing or trusting anything that can't be proven, or cannot be reasonably extrapolated from facts; I just live for all intents and purposes as if a god doesn't exist. I'm not saying that a god or gods cannot exist or do not exist. I merely think that it is more likely than not that a god does not exist. Please stop mistaking atheism as a type of religion. It most certainly is not. There is no dogma to follow, there is no established set of rules to follow. It is a category for people that lack a religion. It is vital you understand this, as the same point you make is raised much too often.

Atheism, in itself is a LACK OF BELIEF. That's all there is to it. STRONGER atheists may deny any possibility of a god, NOT all atheists..... The majority of atheists, through deductive reasoning, think that absence of a god is more probable. 'Think' not KNOW. No leap of faith is being taken here. It's stunning how widespread this misnomer is.

* Key words capitalised for emphasis

@ Mao: it is possible to be an agnostic atheist.

^ As above, watch your definition of religion.

[hard]

http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/buggle_20_4.html

[sxcalexc]

It is unfortunate that religion is such a taboo. There is no harm in being critical of (often leading to solidification of) one's beliefs and convictions. It is never good to follow anything without questioning its purpose or relevance in life.

[psychlaw]

It is a religion as you believe that there is no god.

Watch your definition of religion there
[/quote]
whats wrong with that definition?
How about I go through this set by set with you so you don't get confused again.
Religion is a set of beliefs (involved around supernatural powers);
Whether you like it or not, if you think there is no god (supernatural powers), it is what you believe.
And since we have established (or atleast many dictionaries around the world have established) that religion = a belief, I think its safe to say that if you think there is no god, you're still believing this fact, thus atheism is, in its own way: A RELIGION.

[brendan]

my understanding

atheism: belief in the absence of a deity
agnosticism: absence of a belief in the existence of a deity

i am an agnostic.

the definition that a religion is any belief is obviously too wide. that would mean just any belief in anything can be classified as a religion.

[sxcalexc]

my understanding

atheism: belief in the absence of a deity
agnosticism: absence of a belief in the existence of a deity

i am an agnostic.

the definition that a religion is any belief is obviously too wide. that would mean just any belief in anything can be classified as a religion.

Richard Dawkins clarifies that the majority of atheists are of the idea that, "I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbable, and I live my life on the assmption that he is not there." So, not outright denying a God, but seeing it as considerably less probable. He also gives a further category of "Strong" atheism, in which people may "know there is no God". This would have a theist counterpart, that claim things such as C. G. Jung, "I do not believe, I know [that my God exists]."
(The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins, pg. 50)

[BrooklynZoo]

No mao, it is a huge misconception to think that all athiests are somehow just as fundimental as their religious counterparts, and make claims just as unsubstantiated. your comments show a fundimental lack of understanding of the term, i will re-iterate that atheism is merely refuting the current evidence/arguments in support on theisms (i.e holy texts or miricals) 

This point is exactly the reason i dislike the word athiesm, and only call myself one in lack of a better word. An athiest can believe that their is no god, an this itself could be called a leap of faith, yet an athiest can just as well admit they have no clue whether or not god exists, and like me, merely refute the current evidence from the religious.