Why do people consider atheism to be a religion?

Atheism is not a religion, just like theism is not a religion. It is not a set of beliefs as religion is defined. Religions such as Christianity and Judaism claim to follow the teaching of God. These teachings are the religion, God is not the religion.
Science has nothing to do with atheism.

Because they don't understand what atheism really IS. For example, it has NOTHING to do with how life came to be, or the Big Bang, Evolution, etc. It is ONLY the disbelief in gods. Everything else falls under some other label.

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why can't yahoo answers make sub-categories in r&s like christianity, atheism, islam…?

Even if they did, no one would stay in their own category. You do realize that, right?

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Why do atheists blame Christianity of being oppressive when oppressive communist atheism?

has been the cause of a lot of remorse all over the world?

“oppressive communist atheism”?

Ha, ha!

You Christians are so full of child-like wonder. It’s adorable.

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Is atheism an excuse to invent your own morality?

my brothers question… his reasoning being, he won't tell me….

atheism is not an excuse, just like theism is not an excuse. it's just a different set of beliefs.
and we all invent our own morality at every decision we make that requires a moral perspective. we do this because morality is not absolute. so, we have our own versions of what we consider moral/immoral behavior. as humans, since we're so competitive and naturally inclined to destroy our competition to ensure our own survival, we would actually prefer to be completely immoral; the last things we want is to be restricted based on moral grounds. so, we would actually try to avoid morality, instead of inventing it. but, this is socially impractical. so, we have some guidelines.

theism vs atheism is usually a debate that centers on god vs no god, not on morality.

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Who is you favorite/least favorite famous atheist?

For me it would be Mark Twain/Christopher Hitchens

It would probably be Mark Twain. The man was just incredible. I also really like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.

My least favorite would probably be someone like Stalin.

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Atheists, can you explain atheism to me?

I just don't get the concept.

Could you help me to understand why you don't believe in God, or is it any kind of deity?

How did you come to this conculsion?

Is it religion that angers you, or politics, or cults?

Does it affect you point of view with issues and causes?

Do you celebrate any holidays?

Thanks for your info!
Sorry, I meant, does the thought of religion anger atheists in general. It's frustrating when this happens.

While most claim not to be angry at all, they seem more than a little annoyed.

Perhaps I should have said "What in particular angers you about religion, if anything?"

I was hoping for a little more than,"I just don't believe." It's just as bad when someone says,"I just believe."
I was hoping to touch base on politics such as the conflict in Ireland, terrorism, and abortion/birth control issues as well. Only one person has touched that by mentioning condoms and AIDS.
And is someone trying to equate Buddism with atheism? Can that be done?

If you want a very in-depth answer to your question, I suggest you read "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. His argument coherently reflects the views of most atheists and the reasons for those views.

If you want a short answer, or you do not want to read that book because it attacks your (and all) religion, here is my answer:

First of all, atheists are people who do not believe in the existence of any God or deity. Most atheists don't believe in God because there is no concrete evidence supporting his existence, and because his existence cannot be proven (however, any intelligent atheist will realise that his existence cannot be disproven, either).

Many atheists have grown up in an atheist household or society, and have always been told that there is no god, just as many Christians come from an Christian household, or many Muslims come from a Muslim household. However, there is also a number of atheists who came to their conclusion as a result of their own use of reasoning, or through the reasoning of others. For example, only 7% of the members of the National Academy of Science believe that there is undoubtedly a god (1), which is likely a result of this scientific reasoning.

Atheists are often angered by religion, or at least believe that it has negative effects. Often, they will point out that religion is a barrier to social progress. For example, the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality is often seen by atheists (particularly in Western societies) as having no real reason, when viewed from a logical perspective. However, the most disturbing thing about religion, according to many atheists, is their violent nature; everything from the Crusades to modern terrorism have been a result of religion.

Naturally, atheism does affect an atheist's point of view when it comes to moral and ethical issues, global issues, politics, etc. (although atheists are certainly not all of the same opinion). Whereas those who are religious might look to a religious text for guidance on these issues, atheists prefer to use secular reasoning to form an opinion. Therefore, atheists may be among the most divided people on these issues.

Most atheists celebrate some holidays. In Western society, most celebrate Christmas, exclusively in its commercial form (ex. they will put up a tree, exchange gifts, etc.). Of course, non-religious holidays are celebrated (although "non-religious holiday" is an oxymoron because the root of "holiday" is "holy day," but this is beside the point and is completely irrelevant to your question). I'm assuming you meant religious holidays, and so my answer is yes, but in a non-religious way.

I hope my answer was sufficient.

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Isn't 'Atheist' a definition of a person by what he/she does not believe, rather than what he/she believes?

Isn't calling someone an 'Atheist' tantamount to calling them 'Acatholic' or Acentaurist'?

Yes, and it's a silly, worthless term.

But we atheists didn't come up with it. Religious people call us atheists. We just have to accept it.

But a true atheist is really nothing other than "normal" or "sane".

We don't call people that don't believe in astrology, "non-astrologers". But the only reason we don't is because "non-astrologers" are not a minority.

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RE: “Christian Persecution?” (I didn’t make this)

I DID NOT MAKE THIS VIDEO! I found it on youtube, and it was made by fotm1.

I am using it as a video response to thequantumflux’s video titled “Christian Persecution?” wherein he so eloquently asks “So where is the Christian persecution?… I just don’t see it.”

Here’s an eye opener.

Oh and in case you’re wondering, I already did the math for you. The total number of people killed by Atheists (at least those that were mentioned in this video, there’s MANY others) comes to a grand total of 76,286,470.

Duration : 0:9:45

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Greg Epstein Interview

Interview with Greg Epstein, humanist chaplain of Harvard University.

Filmed as part of my forthcoming documentary on atheism.

See more interviews and additional footage on my youtube channel or at www.gregorywalsh.net

Duration : 0:9:18

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Atheism vs Christianity 2 of 15

A debate between Dr. William Lane Craig (Christian) and Mr. Frank Zindler (atheist).

Willow Creek Community Church and the American Atheists, Inc. agreed to stage a major debate on the theme “Atheism vs. Christianity: Where Does The Evidence Point?” This video presents the entire debate as it actually unfolded.

Table of contents:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8230D1DD36193A58

Links:

http://www.answers.org/atheism/zindler.html

http://www.reasonablefaith.org

Duration : 0:10:0

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Technorati Tags: atheism, christianity, Craig, debate, Frank, Lane, William, Zindler