Why does Atheism ........

[mommajen32]

 Why does atheism have a name? I've wondered this for a long time, actually a very long time.

I mean, I don't believe in UFOs, but there's not a name for someone who doesn't believe .. I just don't. I don't make a big deal about people who do. There isn't a name for people that don't believe in the Illuminati conspiracy. Usually, there is a name for people that are in a group and hold a particular belief. That to me is strange, why do they need a club? If they simply just don't believe in a God of any fashion?

[home-sweet-home]

Good question.

It seems lately there is a move to turn a lack of religion, into a religion. Like they have summer camps for kids that are athiest.

I think it is a good point though.

[mommajen32]

Quoting home-sweet-home:

Good question.

It seems lately there is a move to turn a lack of religion, into a religion. Like they have summer camps for kids that are athiest.

I think it is a good point though.

It's an honest question I've had since I was a teenager. It never made sense to me. And to have t-shirts and really a lot of people tout it like it is a religion, which kinda defeats the point doesn't it?

[Raintree]

Um, they need a club for community? That's essentially what atheists do in groups. Talk/share/form community with like-minded people. It's called being human.

[scottyliammom]

People feel the need to put a label on virtually everything.  I think most "Christians" like to lump all of the people who don't believe in their God into one category and that is just not possible.  I have friends who are pagan, atheist and I am agnostic.  I guess it is just the label, I mean, who knows?

[home-sweet-home]

Quoting Raintree:

Um, they need a club for community? That's essentially what atheists do in groups. Talk/share/form community with like-minded people. It's called being human.

That is what a church is. It does seem like a religion, I did not say it was wrong to have it, but it does seem like a religion.

[LancesMom]

I found this on Yahoo Answers:

Atheism means that you don't believe in God. The 'a' means, 'without' and is from the Greek; 'theism' is also derived from the Greek word for 'god'.
An agnostic is someone who is without knowledge, 'a' as before and 'gnostic' derived from the Greek word for knowledge. Used by people who haven't yet decided if they are a 'theist', (believer) or not.

[scottyliammom]

More of an anti-religion.

[hsteele]

Its is theological classification. It goes along with Polytheism meaning a belief in multiple gods as in "The greek culture was a polytheist culture" or "Modern pagans often have polytheist beliefs";, Monotheism, belief in only one god as in "Christianity, Judaism and Islam are monotheist religions."; and finally atheism a belief in no god. Buddhism for the most part, Confucianism and Taoism are atheist religions. Yes, Atheism can be a religion. The only true definition is the lack of deity in the core beliefs of that religion. By the way here in Japan there Buddhist sect holds a belief in multiple gods. Just a bit of fyi. lol Does that help?

[ddbz]

Well then what should I say when I'm asked what my religion is? 

[hsteele]

Actually, the true definition of Atheism has nothing to do with religion at all, only deity. You can have religion without deity. The word Atheism comes from the greek word Atheos literally meaning without a god. Nothing to do with religion.

Quoting scottyliammom:

More of an anti-religion.