That is what religion exists to do... prevent people from empowering themselves for change in any real sense. They may think that religion is improving their lifes and maybe it does because they think it does, in thier head, but in real life they endure endless amounts of crap that is made okay by the fact that there are voices in their heads. Governments have accepted religion because it gives people false hope in a better life, somewhere else. In this world they are content with crappy governments and unjust rule because they think there is a reward for them later down the road... when in all probablity there is none.
So yeah Goth Girl is right here, we dont really need religion. We need to go answer these questions, and instead of hoping for some magical kindgdom of god in heaven kind of thing we need to try make this world our paradise... our kingdom of paradise. Its not likely now... but who knows maybe people will wise up and try make this world beter instead of waiting for the next one.
I probably pissed some people off here... I'm sorry, but really not too sorry. You need to think about this too.
Originally posted by CipherTechnically, no. But then, the definition of religion should be changed to include all forms of belief. Except for these stupid ones like 'Beerism'.....sorry Arachnoid
Atheism is the idea that there is no deity. Maybe people are being confused by the use of the word belief. Atheism is not a religion......