Atheism a religion

This is true.

 

The "atheist community" basically functions like a religion, however they try to claim exemption by stating it's just "a lack of belief" - that'd be true except there are "gnostic atheists" who have a positive belief that there is no god, and if it was just a "lack of belief", there wouldn't be organized atheist groups, movements, etc. It's just a "secular religion" in everything but name. Someone who's just an "independent atheist" doesn't necessarily have a religion, but the ones who are active in the "new atheist movement" are definitely religious

It doesn't matter if they have no "holy book" with written tenants, because they have their own "unwritten tennants" and de facto "holy books" (ex. The God Delusion, God is not Great) and defacto "saints" (Richard Dawkins, Chris Hitchens, Sam Harris, James Randi, etc)

 

So is feminism a religion? Gay rights? Unions? Motorcycle gangs?
All of these have "groups" and "movements". They have books and notable proponents.

 

So then any author can be the leader of a religion and anyone who reads that author's books are followers?

Your post is an excellent example of what I was referring to just a couple of posts ago.

 

It does indeed exist, many militants even refer to themselves as members of the "atheist community", and many atheist "organizations" (aka religious sects) do exist.

It's just a subtle attempt to deny their obvious existence and hide their agenda.

They meaning this very existent community.
http://firstchurchofatheism.com/become-ordained

Aka, revision of the Constitution.

So they're a community which just said didn't exist

They're de facto, not much different.

They're a religion in everything but name. In some cases, almost a cult.

 

So, if one claims to NOT believe in a god, atheist, they are militant and organized under the wide brush umbrella? Everyone of em?

 

Please respond to my post.

 

Trying to tar others with the religion brush has a kind of humour to it.
Your falsehoods do not.

 

They sure don't meet the critiera for someone who just has "a lack of belief" - they have a common belief, purpose, and mission

- - - Updated - - -

re·li·gion noun \ri-ˈli-jən\ an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

 

The definition of religion has several clauses and you cherry picked only one of them, by only that criteria any community is a religion. This would include book clubs, political organizations, sports teams, etc. As you can see claiming that all these groups are religions is ridiculous and you know it.

 

Now, these self styled religious sorts, if they cant use misrepresentation, equivocation fallacy,
distortions, falsehoods etc, they will be rendered helpless. They may then begin to thrash about and foam at the mouth. More even than now. So maybe its best to just let them discredit themselves by their chosen method.

 

So do all the people I listed.
Are they religions?
No dodging please. Very unseemly.

 

One question.
Why does Big Brother look like Bob Hope?

 

If atheism is a "religion"......does that mean NOT believing in Santa Claus is a "religion" too?

If so, we have some Christians around here who have "dual allegiances".

 

IN GOD. a lack of belief IN GOD. Thats kind of an important distinction. I believe in the cleaning power of Cillit Bang, but that isnt my religion.

 

I never claimed to be the world's smartest man. But I am in the top 7.114 million.

That was my point. And it is one of life's little ironies particularly in light of the concept of survival of the fittest which I would suggest be modified to "The strong survive. The weak adapt or die off."

You can cut out the snarky attitude now.

 

I like to think it's because If ever someone were to start a totalitarian dystopia, Bob Hope would be the first logical choice for supreme leader

 

Present as a genius and you can expect people will notice amateur mistakes.

 

Well, there you go.

 

Atheism, as an appellation, serves many people. But fundamentally it is the position that there is no god or gods. That is it. But like all things human, there is great diversity in who people who don't believe in god or gods are.

Religion has many simplistic definitions, and well posting from the dictionary never tells the whole story.

Religions require some things
Belief: A shared set of beliefs not necessarily a creed but some foundational agreed upon principles.

Behavior: Ritual, either for praise or as a distinguishing set of actions that set a group apart.

Belonging: Having a collective.

Absent these, I don't see how it can be a religion.

Most atheist don't fall into these areas.

 

Well, he was a Republican.

 

Or to misinterpret.

 

I think I saw a group called "church of the open mind" which is atheist.

They have repeatedly applied for tax free status as a religion and have been repeatedly denied. Obviously the IRS does not consider atheism a religion.

 

Could be; but then, if you wrote in a manner not so open to "misinterpretation" it wouldnt be so likely to happen.