Atheism as a belief and religion...

[Bzzzz]

It amazes me how xtians attack an atheist for their non-belief by stating it is a belief and a religion. I've been in the middle of a debate concerning this and here are just a few of the comments I'm getting... "EVERYONE has faith. Everyone believes in something."
"The atheists believe there is no God so that is a belief and a religion."
"Their faith is in themselves and their religion is all about pleasing themselves first."
"The same people that claim we should keep religion out of government and schools are the same people that want their religion IN government and schools. It is not that they don't want religion in those places they just don't want the "Christian" religion anywhere near them. I wonder why. Could it be they fear it? I believe they do or they would not be so angry and intolerent."

Jeeeeeez...how they rationalize their religion and belief and my lack of just never seems to amaze me.:shrug:

[Zenlitened]

1. That's an example of a sophisticated rhetorical technique known as...

"I know you are but what am I ? Nyah nyah!"

:)

[trotsky]

2. It's very important for them to be able to do that.

First, it neutralizes atheism. We become "just another religion" that way. Silly atheists, they have just as much faith as theists! Um, sure. Faith in *what*?

Second, when a government or school pursues a secular policy, they can scream that the policy actually FAVORS the "religion of atheism" (and/or humanism) and attack it that way.

[Modem Butterfly]

4. My partner calls atheism a religion

Then he says that the fundies are discriminating against him on the basis of religion.

The argument makes my eye twitch every time he makes it, but I admit that it's fun to watch the fundies lose it.

[immoderate]

3. The retorts, in case you missed these...

Calling atheism a religion is like...

calling health a disease.

calling bald a hair color.

I know most folks around here have seen these posted before. Sorry 'bout that.

--IMM

[GOPFighter]

8. Very good retorts

First time I've seen them.

[Taxloss]

5. Well, everyone has faith.

The instance you pop out the womb you have faith. Faith's just another word for "trust". The Christians trust their god to do what they want.

Our "faith" is whatever we trust. Family. Friends. Neighbours. Fate. What you want. "I put my faith in God" is another way of saying "I put my trust in fate and what I hold dear".

"Religion" however is the organising hierarchy that atheists should shun and neglect.

[Biased Liberal Media]

7. Exactly n/t

[progressoid]

6. You're preachin' to the choir here Bzzzz!!

To say it's frustrating is a gross understatement. I've even posted dictionary definitions and it just goes ignored. There's just no getting through to some people.

THEISM:
Belief in the existence of a god or gods.

ATHEISM:
a. Denial of the existence of God or gods.
b. The doctrine that there is no God or gods.

[Az]

9. Best line for countering this notion

Atheism is to religion as baldness is to hair color.