[MD] How is atheism a religion?

[Peter Corteen]

I read that etymologically the word 'religion' is about binding; I'm not
sure how this fits with the modern usage of the word but I see it as
psycologically binding the believer's behaviour to a prescribed set of moral
injunctions. To say that science and atheism are religions is a confusing
use of the word for me. I think of atheism and science as unbinding and
liberating.

Some say it is an act of faith that what we think we perceive is really out
there in the world. Again I think this is a confusing use of the word
'faith'.  I cannot act as if my perceptions do not give a reliable
description of the world. This is something before thought, consideration or
faith. Our perceptions (qualia) are the interface of static and dynamic
quality.