| Posted in
Is Atheism a Religion? on 2008-05-09 01:16:37 |
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In any effort to define "religion," when asserting what "religion is," there is a risk of suggesting that there is some essence that applies to all the different religions. But hey there, there may not be.
In approaching the question "Is atheism a religion?" your argument appears to follow logically.
But there may be religions out there (some Buddhism) that deny that ultimate reality rests in some supreme entity or do not focus on the spiritual. Your definition may be too quick to exclude practices or systems unjustifiably from being a "religion."
Why couldn't atheism allow for man to approach, or in some cases, reproach God or some divinity? Is there not that chance? Can't a person be religious and not belong to a religion? Or the otherway around?
I'm asking you this because I believe in many cases, religious means (organizations, people themselves..etc.) may present themselves as an effective way to, for example, approach God. But it's always possible that it fails to do so because our own comprehension of such matters like God and Religion, are yet to be understood.
It's very possible that your definition may be true. But it's usefulness in attempting to claim atheism is not a religion, I find, insufficient. I think one could argue that it could be compatible as a religion. Being an atheist may involve ritual practices, moral codes, a system of doctrine and practice which allows man to approach God by first denying him? It's possible. Maybe not likely.May depend how consistent he or she is. But nonetheless atheism may consist of qualities, practices, and beliefs that could technically constitute a religion.
Where does your comprehension of religion stem from?
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