Topic: Is Atheism a religion?
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Wed 07/02/08 07:31 AM

flowerforyou yes indeed you are correct.flowerforyou Many things can be considered a religion.flowerforyou From our perspective, yes a religion must have GOD.flowerforyou I never said that I believe all religions are true.flowerforyou The textbook is the most current edition for my World religion class.flowerforyou Im not disagreeing with you Funches. flowerforyou Im just trying to explain it as I was taught in school.flowerforyou


when Man worshipped the Moon or snakes he consider those to be God ..what you quoted in that testbook was not even considered by these worshippers ...all they worship was a God and made laws that those Gods handed down and that is what a religion is ...the laws set forth by a God and why anything else is a philosophy

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 07:34 AM


flowerforyou yes indeed you are correct.flowerforyou Many things can be considered a religion.flowerforyou From our perspective, yes a religion must have GOD.flowerforyou I never said that I believe all religions are true.flowerforyou The textbook is the most current edition for my World religion class.flowerforyou Im not disagreeing with you Funches. flowerforyou Im just trying to explain it as I was taught in school.flowerforyou


when Man worshipped the Moon or snakes he consider those to be God ..what you quoted in that testbook was not even considered by these worshippers ...all they worship was a God and made laws that those Gods handed down and that is what a religion is ...the laws set forth by a God and why anything else is a philosophy
:smile: They did not consider these things in the format as was laid out in my textbook but yes indeed all religions feature these common concepts in one form or another.:smile: Just as all humans have certain features and experiences in common.flowerforyou

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Wed 07/02/08 07:46 AM
Edited by funches on Wed 07/02/08 07:46 AM
:smile: They did not consider these things in the format as was laid out in my textbook but yes indeed all religions feature these common concepts in one form or another.:smile: Just as all humans have certain features and experiences in common.flowerforyou


because it's in a book doesn't mean it is constant or truth even some of my textbooks I now considered as being comic books because of the inaccuracies ..and besides those that follow a philosophy are just in religious denial .. find any religious philosophy and it will consist of placing Man into the role of God

even Christianity can be viewed as being a philosophy and not a religion because they have replace God with a human called Jesus Christ


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Wed 07/02/08 07:50 AM
Philosophy

A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

The rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics

Any personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation

Religion

A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

An institution to express belief in a divine power

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Wed 07/02/08 07:51 AM
Atheism

The doctrine or belief that there is no God

A lack of belief in the existence of God or gods

Theism

The doctrine or belief in the existence of a God or gods


MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 07:58 AM

:smile: They did not consider these things in the format as was laid out in my textbook but yes indeed all religions feature these common concepts in one form or another.:smile: Just as all humans have certain features and experiences in common.flowerforyou


because it's in a book doesn't mean it is constant or truth even some of my textbooks I now considered as being comic books because of the inaccuracies ..and besides those that follow a philosophy are just in religious denial .. find any religious philosophy and it will consist of placing Man into the role of God

even Christianity can be viewed as being a philosophy and not a religion because they have replace God with a human called Jesus Christ


flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou

Chazster's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:05 AM
"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:06 AM
Edited by MirrorMirror on Wed 07/02/08 08:07 AM

"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou

Chazster's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:10 AM
Edited by Chazster on Wed 07/02/08 08:10 AM


"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou


So where is this cut and dry criteria that everyone agrees on?
And if thats the case then there is no need to ask if atheism is a religion because the criteria would speak for itself.

no photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:11 AM

flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou


I'm not disagreeing I'm just stating fact ...within a society everything has common features in some shape form or fashion but that doesn't means the same rules apply ..for instance "In God We Trust" is on all the USA currency but that doesn't mean that everyone that has money is a Christian or in a religion .. which is why Atheism need a belief in a God that is not a human to be a religion

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:12 AM



"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou


So where is this cut and dry criteria that everyone agrees on?
And if thats the case then there is no need to ask if atheism is a religion because the criteria would speak for itself.
flowerforyou I showed the common features that make a religion on the first page of this thread.flowerforyou

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:14 AM


flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou


I'm not disagreeing I'm just stating fact ...within a society everything has common features in some shape form or fashion but that doesn't means the same rules apply ..for instance "In God We Trust" is on all the USA currency but that doesn't mean that everyone that has money is a Christian or in a religion .. which is why Atheism need a belief in a God that is not a human to be a religion
:smile: The absolute for an atheist is rationality:smile:

Chazster's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:20 AM




"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou


So where is this cut and dry criteria that everyone agrees on?
And if thats the case then there is no need to ask if atheism is a religion because the criteria would speak for itself.
flowerforyou I showed the common features that make a religion on the first page of this thread.flowerforyou


And who determined those common features? You said it was in a text book. That means its that authors opinion and not everyones. I also gave a quote of other peoples opinions on the subject. Either way its not cut and dry. I am sure if you asked different sociologists, theologians, and philosophers what religion is they would all give a different answer. If you asked what an apple is you would get the same. Some things are cut and dry while others are not.

no photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:23 AM
Edited by funches on Wed 07/02/08 08:25 AM



flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou


I'm not disagreeing I'm just stating fact ...within a society everything has common features in some shape form or fashion but that doesn't means the same rules apply ..for instance "In God We Trust" is on all the USA currency but that doesn't mean that everyone that has money is a Christian or in a religion .. which is why Atheism need a belief in a God that is not a human to be a religion
:smile: The absolute for an atheist is rationality:smile:


rationality is not an absolute.. the existence of yourself to yourself is the only absolute ...

Chazster's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:25 AM


flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou


I'm not disagreeing I'm just stating fact ...within a society everything has common features in some shape form or fashion but that doesn't means the same rules apply ..for instance "In God We Trust" is on all the USA currency but that doesn't mean that everyone that has money is a Christian or in a religion .. which is why Atheism need a belief in a God that is not a human to be a religion


Then why have some countries made Jediism a religion? I know its a bad/funny example, but they have churches and are considered a true religion in some countries yet they do not have a belief in God. Its not the lack of a believe in God that makes atheism not a religion, I believe that it is the lack of a community that gathers together for a religious purpose.

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 08:59 AM
Edited by MirrorMirror on Wed 07/02/08 09:13 AM




flowerforyou I was just showing you the common features of all religions. flowerforyou You can disagree with it or make of it what you will. flowerforyou


I'm not disagreeing I'm just stating fact ...within a society everything has common features in some shape form or fashion but that doesn't means the same rules apply ..for instance "In God We Trust" is on all the USA currency but that doesn't mean that everyone that has money is a Christian or in a religion .. which is why Atheism need a belief in a God that is not a human to be a religion
:smile: The absolute for an atheist is rationality:smile:


rationality is not an absolute.. the existence of yourself to yourself is the only absolute ...
flowerforyou In your opinion.flowerforyou Im refering to an absolute truth.flowerforyou All religions have one. flowerforyou it is what they are based upon. flowerforyou The central idea.flowerforyou You keep wanting to quibble about the exact definiton of words.flowerforyou I dont understand what the conflict is with this. flowerforyou Im not trying to make a point Im just trying to show you the common features in all religions.flowerforyou If you dont like a particular word just substitue another word with the same definition if it makes you feel better.flowerforyou An absolute truth can be a deity, a force,or a philosophy or even a concept such as "Rationality".flowerforyou It can be anythingflowerforyou

MirrorMirror's photo
Wed 07/02/08 09:01 AM





"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou


So where is this cut and dry criteria that everyone agrees on?
And if thats the case then there is no need to ask if atheism is a religion because the criteria would speak for itself.
flowerforyou I showed the common features that make a religion on the first page of this thread.flowerforyou


And who determined those common features? You said it was in a text book. That means its that authors opinion and not everyones. I also gave a quote of other peoples opinions on the subject. Either way its not cut and dry. I am sure if you asked different sociologists, theologians, and philosophers what religion is they would all give a different answer. If you asked what an apple is you would get the same. Some things are cut and dry while others are not.
flowerforyou All religions have these common features that is all Im saying.flowerforyou I dont understand what the big deal is. flowerforyou Whats so controversial about that?flowerforyou

no photo
Wed 07/02/08 09:35 AM

flowerforyou In your opinion.flowerforyou Im refering to an absolute truth.flowerforyou All religions have one. flowerforyou it is what they are based upon. flowerforyou The central idea.flowerforyou You keep wanting to quibble about the exact definiton of words.flowerforyou I dont understand what the conflict is with this. flowerforyou Im not trying to make a point Im just trying to show you the common features in all religions.flowerforyou If you dont like a particular word just substitue another word with the same definition if it makes you feel better.flowerforyou An absolute truth can be a deity, a force,or a philosophy or even a concept such as "Rationality".flowerforyou It can be anythingflowerforyou


"MirrorMirror" this is not a big deal only a debate ..an absolute truth is something that can not be disputed absolutely ..if one needs faith to believe in anything then it cannot be absolute truth ...a belief could never be more than what it is...a belief

Chazster's photo
Wed 07/02/08 09:40 AM






"Sociologists and anthropologists tend to see religion as an abstract set of ideas, values, or experiences developed as part of a cultural matrix. For example, in Lindbeck's Nature of Doctrine, religion does not refer to belief in "God" or a transcendent Absolute. Instead, Lindbeck defines religion as, "a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings, and sentiments.”

[6] According to this definition, religion refers to one's primary worldview and how this dictates one's thoughts and actions."

In this case it would be a religion. Since there is no well defined criteria to what is and is not a religion, it would kind of depend on your point of view.
flowerforyou Since there actually is a defined criteria of what a religion is, you would be wrong.flowerforyou


So where is this cut and dry criteria that everyone agrees on?
And if thats the case then there is no need to ask if atheism is a religion because the criteria would speak for itself.
flowerforyou I showed the common features that make a religion on the first page of this thread.flowerforyou


And who determined those common features? You said it was in a text book. That means its that authors opinion and not everyones. I also gave a quote of other peoples opinions on the subject. Either way its not cut and dry. I am sure if you asked different sociologists, theologians, and philosophers what religion is they would all give a different answer. If you asked what an apple is you would get the same. Some things are cut and dry while others are not.
flowerforyou All religions have these common features that is all Im saying.flowerforyou I dont understand what the big deal is. flowerforyou Whats so controversial about that?flowerforyou


Seeing that you actually don't have a post on the first page of this thread and I can not see the so called common features I can't really comment. Thought just because they have common features does not mean that is what defines them.

no photo
Wed 07/02/08 09:44 AM

Then why have some countries made Jediism a religion? I know its a bad/funny example, but they have churches and are considered a true religion in some countries yet they do not have a belief in God. Its not the lack of a believe in God that makes atheism not a religion, I believe that it is the lack of a community that gathers together for a religious purpose.


well "Chazster"..the Jedi consider "The Force" as God ..it was unseen and incomprehensible to the human senses all they did was ripoff from the Yahweh God like christianity did ...so it's not a bad example ....

and why would an Atheist need a church? to worship what? and they need a set of beliefs to do what? ..so that they can not worship a God they don't believe in?