Should atheism be classified as a form of religion by the definition of religion ?

[Darold]

The beliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting mans relationship with the powers and principles of the universe, especially with a deity or deities; ALSO, any particular system of such beliefs, attitudes, etc., An essential part or a practical test of the spiritual life. An OBJECT of conscientious devotion or scrupulous care, it comes from Latin and is back+to bind. Religion, faith, cult, denomination, church, and sect denote a particular system of religious beliefs or the persons that adhere to it. Religion is the general name for all such systems, from earliest recorded history to the present day. A faith is a clearly formulated system of religious beliefs and worship. A cult is an agglomeration of practices, NOT NECESSARILY THEISTIC; the word is often applied to forms of religious worship which are regarded with suspicion or disfavor. A denomination is a group of persons adhering to a particular creed under a distinctive name. Creed is any organized system or statement of beliefs, principles, etc.. The word worship comes from the word value. So what should it be?

So you flocked here like birds feeding, you made your formal statement, you have created a creed of belief as to no belief as you arrived, I have only one thing to say! RUN LITTLE SHEEP RUN! I love you all.

[JARED]

No, but I agree that it should be classified as such in law.

[scottm]

No.

Atheism does not have any dogma, creed, leaders, sacred cows, rituals, or worship. Atheism is a witholding of faith. That one trait is the only thing most atheists have in common.

[NinoF]

No.

All I can say is: not collecting stamps isn't a hobby.....

[JackP]

A lot depends on the way the individual practices the belief of atheism. When it's zealotry it's probably best described as a religion. When it's merely, say, a mild preference, a yawn, probably a creed.

But it might be practiced by any of those definitions by particular individuals.

[RickintheSantahat]

No. More goes into a religion than how many gods a person believes in.

[CassieN]

nooooo, atheism is denying god and god is part of religion

[Trytorelaxeee]

No.

Atheists don't get together every week and talk about how gods aren't real. There are no set 'principals' or 'guidelines' to being an atheist. Atheism has no organization in that there is nothing to be organized. Atheists can be of many different religions, but can also not be religious at all.

We're not a group of people. We're completely random. One atheist may believe in ghosts. Another may not. One atheist may be Buddhist, another may be a LeVayan Satanist.

Atheism simply does not fall under the definition of "religion" whatsoever.

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?Those who regard a freedom from the chains of either religion
?or the false moralities of sex as debauched are doing naught
?but corrupting their minds with foolishness.
?
?So cast ignorance into the hells of creed and learn of the
?world with me. Knowledge has many gifts, one such being
?a better way of life.
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