Well, do you consider Atheism a religion? Personally, i don't. I consider myself an atheist because i don't believe in any religion. I will concede the point that i may be wrong, but i do not believe in an undefinable god, and do not consider myself agnostic. of course, by defining atheism as a religion, we may be better legally protected under some circumstances (job discrimination, etc).
Well to look at it from the opposite end, is theism a religion? No, theism is the belief in a god which is common to many religions. Some religions are athiestic while retaining supernatural elements (for example, ancestor cults). Atheism is merely a philosophical idea based mostly on rationalism, just like theism is a philosophical idea based mostly on faith.
does it matter? whether there is one god, no god, or zillions of them, is a question about which we can only speculate. (and also therefore, a damd silly excuse to beat each other over the head). nor do we have to know, or even pretend to know, what there is, in order for whatever it is that there is, to be felt, experienced or exist. the choice between ecotopia or the collective geno-suicide of the entire human species, is, on the other hand, a CHOICE. (NOT a forgone conclusion either way). a life or death choice, facing all of us, that is ENTIRELY up to US. not some unseen force or awairness. and up to us, in the very immediate here and now. =^^= .../\...
neither atheism nor agnotisim is a religion being as there is no structured set of beliefs or figure of worship.
well, i guess y'all are of the opinion that atheism is not a religion. so, any thoughts about the second part of my post: should we treat it as such for legal purposes? the status of a religion does convey some legal protection. for instance, in the united states it is illegal to discriminate in employment based on religion.
huh? no one is going to discriminate you in a job if you're atheist, or christian, buddhist etc. the only circumstance being if it were a religious based job. jobs i have applied for have never even asked what religion i am. they cant, they have no reason to since its more acceptable to believe what you want, whereas in the old days you were a sinnaaa!! Lol thats how it was until high school atleast, where i live. kids in jr high would be like wohh wtf and get super offended when someone ddint believe in god.. but yeah w/e. such is the ways of growing up.
The Supreme Court recognizes Secular Humanism, along with Buddhism, Taoism, and Ethical Culture, as non-theistic religions for purposes of the "free exercise" clause of the First Amendment (Torasco v. Watkins, 1961; Washington Ethical Society v. District of Columbia, 1957). The reiligious right has been trying to use this to argue that the public schools are inculcating a religion of secular humanism, in violation of the "establishment" clause of the same amendment.
I don't think atheism should be treated as a religion for legal purposes either, other than writing in 'none' under Religion. We should be acknowledged for what we are and not shoved into their square hole.
i still dont understand the purpose of treating atheism as a religion, or really rather "belief" as that is more what it is, for legal purposes... ? where would that apply to ?
It could apply to discrimination against atheists: interference with their rights not to pray or participate in religious services, to get and hold jobs, etc. In court cases, it's come up under the "free exercise" of religion under the First Amendment. If atheism (more accurately, secular humanism, ethical culture,etc.) isn't religion, it could be argued that a person's right to practice atheism freely isn't constitutionally protected against state and local laws. But I think there would be drawbacks: As you say, atheism is more of a belief than what we ususally think of as religion, although groups like the American Humanist Society have some of the rudimenatry organizational and ritualistic features of religion. To make the case that it's religion, there might be more efforts toward organization, doctrine and ritual, which some might consider unfortunate. Also, the Christian religious right could use it to bolster their case that the public schools are preaching a secular, humanistic, atheistic religion in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Religion is the ritual observance of faith. Atheism in and of itself contains no rituals, therefore it is not a religion.
Can it be a belief system? It's true that not all atheists are exactly alike, but for a time being, before a philosophical idea is changed; you're within the confines of a structuralized system that you designed, yourself, even if it is merely temporary. Atheism is a permeable belief system that you create on your own, even if it can constantly change. Your philosophical ideas weren't exactly the same as they were years ago. But for a time, before a change occurs, there is a structure. It is a belief system of philosophical ideas that stays the way it is for a time being, until you change it. Just throwing that out there.
