Is Atheism a religion?

[Jim M2]

David,
As far as agnostism vs atheism I agree. I pointed out to one of my more insightful atheist friends that I thought she was really agnostic and not atheist. She said 'whatever' and mentioned something to the effect that atheism is the more plausible possibility within agnosticism that she is completely comfortable with, and she prefers to simply call herself an atheist. Basically she was annoyed by the distinction.

On another forum everyone wanted to label one this one fella an atheist. He found it very annoying. He didn't want to be labeled at all. Definitionally he was an agnostic in my opinion.

By any label, they are what they are.

As far as these atheist (or whatever they are) having beliefs close to Christianity, I think there's no doubt this is true. They feel like religious values can be derived outside of religion. It would be an interesting area to discuss with them further.

[Eudaimonist]

Originally Posted by inhumility

Does Atheism have a system or set principles?

No more than "theism" has a system or set of principles.

Theism may be used as an abstract category in which one places specific religions, which do have specific systems or sets of principles.

Similarly, atheism may be used as an abstract category in which one places specific philosophies or philosophical paths, which do have specific systems of sets of principles.

I'm an atheist, however, I have principles in virtue of being a Eudaimonist (a philosophical path that includes an ethics and nontheistic spirituality), not in terms of being an atheist (which means only that I don't believe in god/s).

I suppose that Eudaimonism could be considered analogous to a religion, though I prefer the term "philosophical path". Atheism is definitely not analogous to a religion at all.

If there is no system or a principled approach then there cannot be except chaos or confusion or waywardness.

I hope I've just explained why this does not apply to atheists.


eudaimonia,

M.