ManO'War wrote: "Athiesim" is not a "religion".

Technically atheism IS a religion, but not thought of in that way

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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.

LJ wrote:

ManO'War wrote: "Athiesim" is not a "religion".

Technically atheism IS a religion, but not thought of in that way

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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.

The supreme court defines it as a religion. See TORCASO v. WATKINS.

Held: This Maryland test for public office cannot be enforced against appellant, because it unconstitutionally invades his freedom of belief and religion guaranteed by the First Amendment and protected by the Fourteenth Amendment from infringement by the States

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=367&invol=488

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

Devils Advocate wrote: Ok BHS. I'll Bite..

How would a gay man impose him/herself on a religious person by asking another gay person to have sex?

I think it's more or less a statement pointing out the hypocrisy of atheists

How did atheists get into the discussion? And where is the hypocrisy? You're talking out your butt.

What do you mean where is the hypocrisy????

Christians: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others
Atheists: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others

They are one in the same. All atheists do is try to force their religious beliefs on others (the fact that they do not believe in anything and do not want to follow any religious rule) while Christians also try to force their religious beliefs on others (follow the bible and do what it says)

That's bullshit. We atheists just want to be left alone. We only fight back when religionists try to impose their will on us.

Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

personal attack removed, final warning- LJ

jmog wrote:


Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

In my adult life, I haven't found anyone promoting any specific religion or atheism.

Interestingly though, the blogosphere world seems to be very much about "bash religions" and not so much bashing atheists.

Certain athiest groups are now bitching about discriminatory practices in this country. I don't know. I've never been asked during a job interview what church I attended. Whenever I bought a house, neither the banker nor the realtor ever asked me about my religious beliefs.

I've never been asked about my faith.

jmog wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

Devils Advocate wrote: Ok BHS. I'll Bite..

How would a gay man impose him/herself on a religious person by asking another gay person to have sex?

I think it's more or less a statement pointing out the hypocrisy of atheists

How did atheists get into the discussion? And where is the hypocrisy? You're talking out your butt.

What do you mean where is the hypocrisy????

Christians: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others
Atheists: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others

They are one in the same. All atheists do is try to force their religious beliefs on others (the fact that they do not believe in anything and do not want to follow any religious rule) while Christians also try to force their religious beliefs on others (follow the bible and do what it says)

That's bullshit. We atheists just want to be left alone. We only fight back when religionists try to impose their will on us.

By and large you are full of crap.

Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

You're the one who's uninformed. Atheism is not a religion, it is the lack of a religion. I do not read any book on the subject, I belong to no group, and I don't attend meetings. I simply don't believe in God. It's as simple as that.

My belief system is built around science. I deal with theories that are observable and testable. For me, it is "seeing is believing." For religionists, it is "believing is seeing." There is a huge difference.

Atheism isn't a religion. That's sort of ridiculous to call the lack of a formal religion and past that the lack of any faith a religion.

Also ridiculous is pretending that you're smarter than anyone because you are atheist. You're not, you just believe/don't believe differently.

I Wear Pants wrote: Atheism isn't a religion. That's sort of ridiculous to call the lack of a formal religion and past that the lack of any faith a religion.

Also ridiculous is pretending that you're smarter than anyone because you are atheist. You're not, you just believe/don't believe differently.

Well, technically, by definition it is, but not in the typical sense that people think of religion. You don't have to attend any meetings for it to be a religion

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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.

The first half is what defines a religion, the second half may be part of a religion.

Atheism is most definitely

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies

Therefore, by DEFINITION, it IS a religion.

FairwoodKing wrote:

jmog wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

Devils Advocate wrote: Ok BHS. I'll Bite..

How would a gay man impose him/herself on a religious person by asking another gay person to have sex?

I think it's more or less a statement pointing out the hypocrisy of atheists

How did atheists get into the discussion? And where is the hypocrisy? You're talking out your butt.

What do you mean where is the hypocrisy????

Christians: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others
Atheists: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others

They are one in the same. All atheists do is try to force their religious beliefs on others (the fact that they do not believe in anything and do not want to follow any religious rule) while Christians also try to force their religious beliefs on others (follow the bible and do what it says)

That's bullshit. We atheists just want to be left alone. We only fight back when religionists try to impose their will on us.

By and large you are full of crap.

Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

You're the one who's uninformed. Atheism is not a religion, it is the lack of a religion. I do not read any book on the subject, I belong to no group, and I don't attend meetings. I simply don't believe in God. It's as simple as that.

My belief system is built around science. I deal with theories that are observable and testable. For me, it is "seeing is believing." For religionists, it is "believing is seeing." There is a huge difference.

For being an atheist, you don't even know what atheism means!!!!

It has nothing to do with religion, it's a set of beliefs about higher beings

1.
the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2.
disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

No, "when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency". Atheism lacks that key point.

LJ wrote:

I Wear Pants wrote: Atheism isn't a religion. That's sort of ridiculous to call the lack of a formal religion and past that the lack of any faith a religion.

Also ridiculous is pretending that you're smarter than anyone because you are atheist. You're not, you just believe/don't believe differently.

Well, technically, by definition it is, but not in the typical sense that people think of religion. You don't have to attend any meetings for it to be a religion

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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.

The first half is what defines a religion, the second half may be part of a religion.

Atheism is most definitely

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies

Therefore, by DEFINITION, it IS a religion.

And a tomato is a fruit...while it may technically be true, we all know it isn't true.

/better at analogies than Mike Huckabee.

I Wear Pants wrote: No, "when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency". Atheism lacks that key point.

No, the lack of that is the set of beliefs concerning that. It is a religion. The US Supreme Court agrees with me.

I Wear Pants wrote:

LJ wrote:

I Wear Pants wrote: Atheism isn't a religion. That's sort of ridiculous to call the lack of a formal religion and past that the lack of any faith a religion.

Also ridiculous is pretending that you're smarter than anyone because you are atheist. You're not, you just believe/don't believe differently.

Well, technically, by definition it is, but not in the typical sense that people think of religion. You don't have to attend any meetings for it to be a religion

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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.

The first half is what defines a religion, the second half may be part of a religion.

Atheism is most definitely

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies

Therefore, by DEFINITION, it IS a religion.

And a tomato is a fruit...while it may technically be true, we all know it isn't true.

:rolleyes:

So I guess definitions no longer mean anything? lol.

It's a religion, whether or not YOU want to call it that is up to you, but it is.

It doesn't really matter though, because I do not look at atheism in the traditional sense of a religion, I use the term in proving a point when it comes to beliefs.

What that definition says is that everyone has a religion. I disagree with that point.

Religion is not faith or belief to me. I may not fall directly in line with Webster on that but that's how I've always perceived it.

Like the people who believe in god/spirits/whatever but don't associate with any particular religious group. I'd say that they aren't a member of a particular religious ideal but they have their own faith.

My end point is that I associate religion with a, usually, organized group of like minded individuals when it comes to matters of god/faith/spirituality/morality/whatever.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm not but it's not going to keep me up at night either way. We're arguing over brass tacks. I just think it's stupid to say that someone without any beliefs has a set of beliefs which are "I have no beliefs".

I Wear Pants wrote: I just think it's stupid to say that someone without any beliefs has a set of beliefs which are "I have no beliefs".

Atheists adhere to their beliefs religiously.

So is any preference or opinion that you hold now a religion?

I Wear Pants wrote: So is any preference or opinion that you hold now a religion?

Nice straw man and way to completely disregard the definition I posted.

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

jmog wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

Devils Advocate wrote: Ok BHS. I'll Bite..

How would a gay man impose him/herself on a religious person by asking another gay person to have sex?

I think it's more or less a statement pointing out the hypocrisy of atheists

How did atheists get into the discussion? And where is the hypocrisy? You're talking out your butt.

What do you mean where is the hypocrisy????

Christians: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others
Atheists: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others

They are one in the same. All atheists do is try to force their religious beliefs on others (the fact that they do not believe in anything and do not want to follow any religious rule) while Christians also try to force their religious beliefs on others (follow the bible and do what it says)

That's bullshit. We atheists just want to be left alone. We only fight back when religionists try to impose their will on us.

By and large you are full of crap.

Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

You're the one who's uninformed. Atheism is not a religion, it is the lack of a religion. I do not read any book on the subject, I belong to no group, and I don't attend meetings. I simply don't believe in God. It's as simple as that.

My belief system is built around science. I deal with theories that are observable and testable. For me, it is "seeing is believing." For religionists, it is "believing is seeing." There is a huge difference.

For being an atheist, you don't even know what atheism means!!!!

It has nothing to do with religion, it's a set of beliefs about higher beings

1.
the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2.
disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

I know a hell of a lot more about it than you will ever know.

personal attack removed, final warning- LJ

LJ wrote:

I Wear Pants wrote: So is any preference or opinion that you hold now a religion?

Nice straw man and way to completely disregard the definition I posted.

Straw men are fun.

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

jmog wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

FairwoodKing wrote:

LJ wrote:

Devils Advocate wrote: Ok BHS. I'll Bite..

How would a gay man impose him/herself on a religious person by asking another gay person to have sex?

I think it's more or less a statement pointing out the hypocrisy of atheists

How did atheists get into the discussion? And where is the hypocrisy? You're talking out your butt.

What do you mean where is the hypocrisy????

Christians: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others
Atheists: These are our beliefs and don't make us abide by any others

They are one in the same. All atheists do is try to force their religious beliefs on others (the fact that they do not believe in anything and do not want to follow any religious rule) while Christians also try to force their religious beliefs on others (follow the bible and do what it says)

That's bullshit. We atheists just want to be left alone. We only fight back when religionists try to impose their will on us.

By and large you are full of crap.

Look at youtube, I would bet you find at least as many atheists on there (if not more) trying to put down any religious video they can find and mocking anyone who puts anything up there even semi-religious. Not to mention the number of atheists trying to give their "proofs" that God doesn't exist.

Just like normal, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Atheists, in general, are just as pushy, if not more, than the average religious person.

Also, anyone who says atheism is not a religion just is completely uninformed.

You're the one who's uninformed. Atheism is not a religion, it is the lack of a religion. I do not read any book on the subject, I belong to no group, and I don't attend meetings. I simply don't believe in God. It's as simple as that.

My belief system is built around science. I deal with theories that are observable and testable. For me, it is "seeing is believing." For religionists, it is "believing is seeing." There is a huge difference.

For being an atheist, you don't even know what atheism means!!!!

It has nothing to do with religion, it's a set of beliefs about higher beings

1.
the doctrine or belief that there is no God.
2.
disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

I know a hell of a lot more about it than you will ever know.

personal attack removed, final warning- LJ

So you don't believe that there is nothing out there? :rolleyes: Give me a break. You beliefs are that there is nothing out there. It's what you believe. Unless you are just making up that there is nothing out there?

A person not belonging to a group doesn't mean that they are in their own group.

That's so ridiculous that it is funny.

That's like saying that someone who isn't a member of a social club, which bascially is what a religion is, is really a member of the "people who are not in a social club" club.

ManO'War wrote: A person not belonging to a group doesn't mean that they are in their own group.

That's so ridiculous that it is funny.

That's like saying that someone who isn't a member of a social club, which bascially is what a religion is, is really a member of the "people who are not in a social club" club.

then why are people classified as atheists? Atheists are classified as their own group, hell, even the Supreme Court says so. They are classifying themselves in their own group by saying "I'm an atheist". I think belonging to nothing wouldn't have a couple thousand page wiki article do you?

Why do you have to classify everyone? They say "I'm an atheist" because that is the term we use to describe someone with no religious views. What do you want them to say?

I Wear Pants wrote: Why do you have to classify everyone? They say "I'm an atheist" because that is the term we use to describe someone with no religious views. What do you want them to say?

I personally don't care what they say. People are classifying themselves. I am not classifying anyone, only those who have classified themselves.

Yes you are. What would you call someone with no religion?