What makes a belief a "Religion" ? - Page 3

Felloffer said:

The whole idea that Atheism is a religion is baffling to me. If a god proclaimed it's existence and was able to demonstrate it's divine greatness to the world (not just too a handful of chosen one's), then Atheism could be classified as religion. Faith isn't required to not believe in some thing that is beyond demonstration and lacks any sort of physical evidence to support it's claim. If this isn't the case then people who don't believe big foot, aliens or the loch ness monster are equally religious in their non-belief.

That is a very weird litmus test you have constructed for understanding the idea of why someone would compare a belief in "atheism" to any number of religious beliefs. That the belief is personal seems not to matter to Merriem-Webster either, when someone uses a figure of speech with the word, "religion".

Is not "atheism" just one set of "personal beliefs held with ardor" that are often used relentlessly and are responsible for shaping society? Such a subset of "atheists" does include its fanatics. Those are the ones showing their "religion". 
 

Bee,

 I agree with you to a certain extent about Atheists being set in their views, but there are two distinct differences between the Atheist and the religious zealot. Atheists will change their opinions and accept fact based on evidence that supports a claim. If a god is proved beyond a reasonable doubt then it will be accepted as fact. The same can not be said of most religious followers, many already choose to believe religious teachings in spite of evidence shown to be fact. Atheists that I've encountered aren't actively sharing their non-belief, in most cases our position is used as a challenge to those peddling the "truth".

 I honestly could care less if there are people who choose to worship a god, it is none of my business. However I do take exception with those who wish to mold my life around their own personal beliefs and are facetious in there attempt to do so. Christians wouldn't stand for Muslims forcing their beliefs on them, why should I allow any religious group to force their beliefs on me?
 

Bee,

 Atheism is a personal belief, but it is grounded in reality and is based on things that are observable. I'm not sure you will find an Atheist that will tell you with 100% certainty that there is no god or supernatural being out there. Most choose Atheism because of a lack of evidence to support the claim and in my opinion this is the logical way to approach this subject. I think most would agree society on a global scale would fair much better if religion was removed from the equation.

Woman in Lineage's clip says she wouldn't blame anyone
who does believe from giving thanks to the lord for an escape.

Seems to me that's fairly typical of atheists - a willing tolerance
for other people's beliefs even when they don't share
them.

Contrast both with the atheistic 'zealots' Bee speaks of - who IMO
are few and far between anyway,  although I suppose they might be
seen as making a religion of it -  and the boogy-man atheist Xians
​rail against for being proactive in getting people to turn against
religion.
 

I do not care to convert anyone, turn anyone against anything, I just speak out when someone so arrogant with bad manners want's to make it a public issue.

A tornado is one of the most random acts of nature, and if you've ever seen one up close and the aftermath in person you'd have no doubt about it.





 

Bee,

You should elaborate a little further on the link. Are you equating Atheism with Communism? If this is the case we could go back in history and link any number of leaders or regimes with a less then stellar track record too a particular faith, could we not?

Bee's just on this kick.
Her link is irrellevent to the OP.

The correct point was made by the OP by the way.

I will when I get home  . ... Been chaperoning kids on a field trip to the amusement park. Long day! Lol