I’ve said for many years now – If you carefully observe the
practices, behaviors, expressions, writings and even traditions of Atheists –
that their groups have all the trappings of ‘Religion’.
Whoever said that atheists aren’t religious? There books; or
shall I say bibles (“bible” is from the Greek word biblos and is translated as
“book”) — are indicators that atheism is a faith that has its own set of
scriptures.
Would Richard Dawkins ever acknowledge that his rabid
atheism is actually a religious view?
Atheism is the belief that there is no god. According to the
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
“Atheism is the position that
affirms the non-existence of God. It proposes positive disbelief rather than
mere suspension of belief.”
Some atheists say - “Calling Atheism a religion is like
calling bald a hair color”
However, atheists make such claims so Atheism can avoid
legal imperatives placed on religions in many countries, and can avoid some of
the ideological hang-ups people have about “religion”. Here in the United
States; atheists and their groups argue they are not a ‘religion’ so that they
will not end up forced from the open market place of public expression (see
freedom of speech and press in the U.S. Constitution), This way they can
try to silence people of faith – their biggest critics; and still have their own freedoms
to express their world view. It also creates a false dichotomy between science
(which they claim must be naturalistic and secular) and religion.
At the end of the day – Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,
Atheism, etc.; are ‘Worldviews’ – the lens that someone sees the world through.
A worldview in and of its self is not a religion. A religion; as defined with a
certain criteria:
re•li•gion
Noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and
purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a
superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual
observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human
affairs.
2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices
generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion;
the Buddhist religion.
3. The body of persons adhering to a particular set of
beliefs and practices:
Based on the correctly understood definition of the word ‘Religion’
– it is safe to say that Atheism is a religion.
Atheism, as defined in the contemporary western sense: is
not just the lack of belief in a god, but the assertion about the non-existence
of any gods, spirits, or divine or supernatural beings. Atheists in this sense
are metaphysical naturalists, and as such, they DO follow a religion.
A better way to determine whether a worldview is a religion
is to look for certain characteristics that religions have in common. The
framework set forth by Ninian Smart, commonly known as the Seven Dimensions of Religion, is widely accepted by anthropologists
and researchers of religion as broadly covering the various aspects of
religion, without focusing on things unique to specific religions.
The seven dimensions proposed by Smart are narrative, experiential, social, ethical,
doctrinal, ritual and material. Not every religion has every dimension,
nor are they all equally important within an individual religion. Smart even
argues that the “secularization” of western society is actually a shift of
focus from the doctrinal and ritual to the experiential.
This world beats to the rhythm of religion in a thousand
ways, and folks who follow these patterns are religious -- including atheists.
Religion certainly includes an idea of a God under whom man
is inherently subservient, but religion also governs the belief system
undergirding the way people think about, and live, their lives.It tells them who their authority is and it informs their
values and behavior. It gives them their sense of morality and goodwill, and it
guides them in the way they treat themselves and others. A religion does
nothing less than construct one’s view of the world. Atheism is a ‘World View’
with all of the seven dimensions stated by Smart – and therefor is certainly a
religion.
Atheists are, in fact, some of the most religious people.
First, they have a functioning God under whom they are
subservient (normally its science or rationality, but mainly themselves), and
that idea of God informs the way they live and interpret their lives. It
informs their biases and determines their values, and governs any sense of
morality or ethics they adhere too, or ignore.
Once that’s all settled all that’s left is the preaching.
And they preach all the time!
If you pay close attention to practicing Atheists; the
activities of their groups and organizations – it is safe and fair to say they
are ‘Practicing a Religion’.
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