Why Atheism CANNOT be a religion

[Aunt Sponge]

It comes up in "separation of church and state" debates and it was mentioned in the "Schisms in Atheism" thread. In the past people who are atheists want it to be considered their religion...and written as such on their dog tags and things like that.

Here's why I feel that Atheism cannot - and should not - ever - be considered a "religion."

The Constitution states in the first amendment that:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Well - Atheism is having NO belief in a God, etc. (basicly speaking, I know there are a lot of "versions" of this that cover different aspects.)

So - in cases in which the Supreme Court, etc, have ruled against certain forms of religion being "revered" and "honored" in law, etc, often they site "lack of religious belief" as part of their decision. . .

Well, if Atheism is to considered a "lack of religious belief" then there's really nothing else for those who oppose religion to stand on.

If someone says they are an atheist, and if Atheism is considered a religion - and then an atheist takes the Catholic Church to court over something then, instead of it being "no religion" VS "The Catholic Church," it will actually be "one religion - Atheism" VS "another religion - Catholicism"

And that, in itself, is unconstitutional - and would be thrown out - because the Courts cannot rule, Congress cannot pass, any law that favors one religion over another.

If Atheism was considered a religion then we would still have prayer in schools, we would be teaching creationism in school and so on, so forth.

[Jennifer Lynn]

I don't consider atheism my religion. I consider it my belief....

[mpicky]

I don't consider it a religion, but I don't see why it can't be on dog tags. If you have no religion, then you should be able to put what you want there.

I think it obviously ISN'T a religion and I personally don't know anyone who argues that it is or that it should be.

[Chewy D]

It's not a religion. It's like the adage says "atheism is a religion like bald is a haircolor."
It is, however, a set of beliefs individual to a person and oftentimes can be spiritual to said person, so i believe that the first amendment covers it too.

[Geotech]

I don't considerate a religion but an absence of one. The put it on dogtags so someone doesn't **** up your wishes and pray over you when would not have wanted it.

[blahblahcarnes]

I always thought it was someone's "beliefs", I have never heard of it referred to as a religion.

[Aunt Sponge]

Interesting that so many of you have never heard someone contend that atheism "is a religion"

I've had the debate countless times with people - to the point that I thought it was becoming a common belief.

[DakotaCowgirl]

Originally Posted by blahblahcarnes I always thought it was someone's "beliefs", I have never heard of it referred to as a religion.

This is how I see it.

[Jennifer Lynn]

Originally Posted by Aunt Sponge Interesting that so many of you have never heard someone contend that atheism "is a religion" I've had the debate countless times with people - to the point that I thought it was becoming a common belief.

I've heard people say it before, i've just never had to actually argue that it wasn't. Usually I just say "it's not a religion, it's the lack of one" and they usually are fine with that

[kensington]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lynn I don't consider atheism my religion. I consider it my belief....

Do you practice or live your belief religiously? Is it something you believe so much you live your life choices based on that belief?