[MD] How is atheism a religion?

[Steve Peterson]

Hi Marsha, Matt Poot, Matt K,

[Marsha]

Recently I've heard from multiple sources atheism being described as a religion.  I don't get it.  I don't adhere to organized religion of any kind.  I also deny the existence of a deity, anthropomorphic or otherwise, of any kind.  So how is atheism being called a religion?  Can anyone help untangle this.

[Steve]
My favorite response to the issue is one I read somewhere: If atheism is a religion then bald is a hair color.

I think that Matt Poot is correct to say that what people mean when they say that atheism is a religion is that it is still a belief, but like you, I don't see how that makes it a religion.

Personally, I don't like being labelled an atheist. I would just say that God is a concept that I don't find particularly useful in understanding existence, though I'll ocassionally  through out a "God only knows" or a "God damn."

There is an underlying premise to the God/no God question that bothers me. Maybe Matt K can help me understand what that might be. But I feel like I don't even want to play the God/no God game any more. Been there, done that. It just doesn't sound like a question to me. I mean, of course God exists as a concept, but that's not what someone means who asks such a question.

Steve




 		
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