# Is Atheism a "religion"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 10, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743 "2000-03-10T14:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/101 "2000-03-14T14:40:00Z")
Spiritus said: > [@](#): > > Some people just cannot accept a simple “no” for an answer. I think it’s more that some people cannot accept “I don’t know” for an answer. I mean, look at what happens with the whole creation/evolution thing. I honestly think a great deal of it stems from people not being comfortable with the “not knowing” every single detail. Recently, the “Creationists Strut Your Stuff” thread, a couple of 'em have said things to the effect that they will not accept evolution until every single little detail is nailed down. They cannot live with “not knowing.” But with creationism, everything is “known” – because God did it all. Simple. Easy. No annoying holes. I just finished reading _The Mysteries Within_ by Sherwin Nuland, about how superstition (magic), religion, and medicine have been intertwined throughout history. One point he makes repeatedly is the way early doctors couldn’t live with not knowing, so they made stuff up. I see it in a lot (though by no means all) of the theists that come here to debate and argue. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/102 "2000-03-14T14:46:00Z")
Pashley said: > [@](#): > > No, actually the person who believes in a higher power is not ego-centric; if he were, he believe HE is the highest power, like David B, Spirtus Mundi or Neutron Star Several other people have already pointed out how ridiculous this is, and you have responded that it is “self-evident.” Well, self-evident to _you_ maybe, but I think we’ve all seen enough of your views lately to know that what is evident to you may have little to do with reality. As has been explained to you, none of us have _ever_ indicated anything of the sort (well, ok, I have in talking about me being a God, but if you can’t separate humor from seriousness, then that’s a separate problem you have). Get it? No. I don’t suppose you do. \< sigh \> ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/103 "2000-03-14T15:31:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by David B: > **…and you have responded that it is “self-evident.” Well, self-evident to _you_ maybe…** Pashley, I’m just bumping this up in hopes of eliciting a response to my request. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/104 "2000-03-14T15:39:00Z")
Which request? You’ll need to be more specific, because Pashley ignores so many, he probably can’t even remember what yours was. ---
**Author:** ![pashley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pashley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pashley)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/105 "2000-03-14T15:49:00Z")
David B > [@](#): > > Which request? You’ll need to be more specific, because Pashley ignores so many, he probably can’t even remember what yours was. Screw you, Dave. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/106 "2000-03-14T15:52:00Z")
pashley, I thought you were straight? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/107 "2000-03-14T15:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by David B: > **Which request? You’ll need to be more specific, because Pashley ignores so many, he probably can’t even remember what yours was.** See post dated 03-13-2000 at 4:26PM. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/108 "2000-03-14T17:27:00Z")
Pashley said: > [@](#): > > Screw you, Dave. Thanks for providing more evidence that you would rather attack than deal with the issues and questions at hand. (As if we needed more evidence.) ---
**Author:** ![Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cooper)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/109 "2000-03-15T06:00:00Z")
David - Do you think you would feel comfortable now presenting your position on the statement of fact I made near the beginning of this thread - to wit: Pashley is a troll. ---
**Author:** ![Spiritus\_Mundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Spiritus\_Mundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiritus_Mundi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/110 "2000-03-15T06:07:00Z")
Cooper, I am still unconvinced on the “Pashley is a troll” statement. He exhibits some troll-like behaviors, certainly, but he seems to honestly react (and over-react) to posts in response to his OP. He just seems very poorly prepared to accept disagreeing positions or defend his own position rationally. Annoying, yes. Insulting, frequently. Troll, still gathering evidence but leaning towards no. * * * - The best lack all conviction The worst are full of passionate intensity. \* ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/111 "2000-03-15T06:44:00Z")
Okay, would anybody else care to seriously postulate a response on pashley’s behalf – why are atheists more egocentric than theists? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/112 "2000-03-15T06:56:00Z")
Ok. Here’s a shot: Well, it’s obvious that since atheists don’t believe in God, and don’t see themselves as part of a mystical wholeness of Divine Being, they must perforce believe themselves to be as close to god as is possible to get. Think of the arrogance inherent in the belief that mankind bootstrapped itself from protohominids to the stars, for example. For an atheist to say that there _is_ no god is to say that no one _needs_ a god. And if one needs no god, one must then believe oneself to be “too good” for God. Ergo, arrogant. -andros- may her hooves never be shod ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/113 "2000-03-14T19:00:00Z")
Andros: Yeah, that’s what I thought the response would be, but I was really just looking forward duping pashley into saying that and then ripping into it. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/114 "2000-03-14T19:21:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Nen: > > … I was really just looking forward duping pashley into saying that and then ripping into it. {gasp!} :eek: Nen, you weren’t… **TROLLING** , were you? Esprix * * * [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/115 "2000-03-14T19:38:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Esprix: > \*\* {gasp!} :eek: Nen, you weren’t… **TROLLING** , were you? > > Esprix > > \*\* Of course not! After re-reading my last post I see how it could be construed to be a bit derisive, but I truly just enjoy a good debate. I like to find flaws in arguements and have that reciprocated; it helps one to reevalute one’s ideas (hopefully). I would still like to re-engage pashley, if he feels up to the task. What’s your stance on this issue, Esprix? ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/116 "2000-03-14T20:12:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Nen: > > Of course not! After re-reading my last post I see how it could be construed to be a bit derisive, but I truly just enjoy a good debate. I like to find flaws in arguements and have that reciprocated; it helps one to reevalute one’s ideas (hopefully). I would still like to re-engage pashley, if he feels up to the task. Hmmm, sounds like you could be one of them Unitarian Universalists… 🙂 > [@](#): > > What’s your stance on this issue, Esprix? Is Atheism a religion? Sure, I think it qualifies; it certainly is a philosophy. Would most Atheists think so? I don’t know, but I suppose it would be up to each individual whether they called it so or not. Esprix * * * [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/117 "2000-03-14T20:57:00Z")
Esprix: 1. How does it seem that I could be a Unitarian Universalist? I’m not familiar with that collective. 2. How does atheism qualify as a religion? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/118 "2000-03-14T21:00:00Z")
Nen, See my last post on the nature of knowledge and belief. At the core of each is faith. If one considers a system based on faith a religion, then by these perameters, athiesm is a religion. And I don’t know enough about UU to answer the first, you better **Ask The Gay Guy!** 🙂 🙂 * * * Cecil said it. I believe it. That settles it. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/119 "2000-03-14T21:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Nen: > > How does atheism qualify as a religion? What weirdave said. And I’m just accepting of most folks’ belief systems, so I’m just more apt to call it a religion. > [@](#): > > How does it seem that I could be a Unitarian Universalist? I’m not familiar with that collective. Collective? “Resistance is futile!” 😃 You wrote: > [@](#): > > … I truly just enjoy a good debate. I like to find flaws in arguements and have that reciprocated; it helps one to reevalute one’s ideas (hopefully). Debating, discussing and re-self-evaluating ones ideals is at the core of Unitarian Universalism. If you want some details, check out my “Liberal Religions” thread, wherein I discuss UUism and other liberal religions. Esprix, who believes most people are closet UU’s and just don’t know it yet… * * * [Ask the Gay Guy!](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/001376.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2000, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743/120 "2000-03-14T21:14:00Z")
weirddave: I would still assert that atheism does not qualify as a religion. Refer to my post dated 03-10-2000 at 4:53PM. I understand that there is a certain amount of faith inherent in science because, epistemologically speaking, arguments of induction are intrinsically flawed (that is the arguement of induction utilizes induction to support itself). Despite the comparison to science in the aforementioned post, I don’t believe that atheism suffers from induction. IMO, atheism is not the active denial of a/any god(s), but a term applied to those who would find the question, “What’s a bimblesquat?” equally as absurd as the question “Is there a god?” The questions are akin to postulating for the sake of postulating – the question are nonsensical. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-a-religion/17743.md?page=7)