The so-called religion of Atheism!

It seems that alot of people here don't understand what it's like to be atheist, or even, what it is. It's not a religion. And here's why.

Every religion has a belief system that can't be explained or proven by true science. An example is god. Another thing religion has is a prophet, someone who started the belief, or who believed it first. The third is a book, or a set of rules, something that the followers read to be "good". Another thing they have is a house, or a building in which the follwers go to to show respect. Teachers who adress the religion, (priests, bishops, mullars etc.). And lastly, a symble that represent their faith to it.

Christianity

Supernatural Beliefs: God, The Trinity, the life of Jesus, Moses, angels, the devil, heavan n hell, noah, Adam n Eve etc.
Prophet: Jesus (and possibly the very first people who actually wrote the Bible)
Book: Bible
Building: Church/Chaple
Teachers: Priest/Vicar < Bishop < Pope/Ruler of England
Symbol: Cross

Judaisism

Supernatural Beliefs: God, Adam n Eve, Moses, David, the devil, heavan n hell, Noah etc.
Prophet: Moses (I think)
Book: Torah
Building: Synagogue
Teacher: Rabbi
Symbol: 6 pointed star

Islam

Supernatural Beliefs: God, Heaven n Hell, The Earth being the centre of the world and no one able to leave it, Adam n Eve, the devil etc.
Prophet: Muhammed
Book: Quran
Building: Mosque
Teacher: Mullar < Cleric
Symbol: The moon n star

Sikhism

Supernatural Beliefs: God, the life of the ten gurus
Prophet: Guru Nanak
Book: Guru Granth Sahib
Building: Gurdwara
Teacher: Guru
Symbol: Khanda

Hinduism

Supernatural Beliefs: God, Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, reincarnation etc.
Prophet: Unknown
Book: Karma
Building: Temple
Teacher: Guru
Symbol: Aum, Swastika

Buddhism

Supernatural Beliefs: Karma, Reincarnation, the life of Buddha
Prophet: Buddha
Book: Dhamma
Building: Temple
Teacher: Monks
Symbol: The Conch Shell, the Lotus, the Wheel, the Parasol (Umbrella), the Endless Knot, the Pair of Golden Fishes, the Banner, Proclaiming Victory, the Treasure Vase

Atheism

Supernatural Beliefs: None.
Prophet: None.
Book: None.
Building: None.
Teacher: None.
Symbol: None.

As you can see, Atheists have no book, beliefs, prophets etc. Atheism is not the disbelief of anything. It's the abscence of belief. It's not an organised alternative teaching method to youngens. It's not a religion. Don't treat it as one. Because that's where the problem stasts.

Excellent Thread....

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Excellent Thread....

Wow, we're on the same page here!

Great point(s) made.

That's it in a nut shell...

Yup. That about waxes it there. ✅

But what about the brotherhood of athiesm!!!!

Glad to know I've made atleast one sensible thread. 😄

Originally posted by lord xyz

Buddhism

Supernatural Beliefs: Karma, Reincarnation, the life of Buddha
Prophet: Buddha
Book: Dhamma
Building: Temple
Teacher: Monks
Symbol: The Conch Shell, the Lotus, the Wheel, the Parasol (Umbrella), the Endless Knot, the Pair of Golden Fishes, the Banner, Proclaiming Victory, the Treasure Vase

Few Misconceptions - Karma is not a supernatural beleif. Its a cause and effect.
Buddhists don't beieve in reincarnation, but re-birth.
How is life of Buddha supernatural?

You are not required to believe in the Life of buddha. I don't quite understand that...?

Buddha was not a prophet. He never claimed to be one and he is not deemed as one.

If you call Buddha prophet, you must call Karl Marx a prophet, Aristotle a prophet, Plato a prophet or any other philosopher who had a following would automatically become a prophet.

Buddhism is a philosophical view of life - Buddhists are people who agree with the basics of Buddhism and it can never be grouped in the all the other you posed.

Some Buddhists greatly ditest Buddhism to be a religion.

The symbols you talk about are not supernatural sumbols of any kind, they simply illustrate the philosophy. The wheel for example illustrates the basics of the enlightened path.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Few Misconceptions - Karma is not a supernatural beleif. Its a cause and effect.
Buddhists don't beieve in reincarnation, but re-birth.
How is life of Buddha supernatural?

You are not required to believe in the Life of buddha. I don't quite understand that...?

Buddha was not a prophet. He never claimed to be one and he is not deemed as one.

If you call Buddha prophet, you must call Karl Marx a prophet, Aristotle a prophet, Plato a prophet or any other philosopher who had a following would automatically become a prophet.

Buddhism is a philosophical view of life - Buddhists are people who agree with the basics of Buddhism and it can never be grouped in the all the other you posed.

Some Buddhists greatly ditest Buddhism to be a religion.

The symbols you talk about are not supernatural sumbols of any kind, they simply illustrate the philosophy. The wheel for example illustrates the basics of the enlightened path.

Wait, isn't it said that Buddha sat under a tree for 20 years or something?

Atheism is "the doctrine or belief that there is no God" and "disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings."

Religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs" and "something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience."

So, technically, atheism is a religion. Of course, that's being annoying and adhering to the strictest of definitions (something that some members of KMC have difficulty with in the first place).

Originally posted by lord xyz
As you can see, Atheists have no book, beliefs, prophets etc. Atheism is not the disbelief of anything. It's the abscence of belief. It's not an organised alternative teaching method to youngens. It's not a religion. Don't treat it as one. Because that's where the problem stasts.

I agree with you on that note, however, some atheists I know would dare to go as far and call Madalyn O'Hair the "prophet" of atheists. While she did dedicate her life to atheism and helped pave the road, she tried to make it into a religion of sorts. O'Hair's good friend Larry Flynt is quoted as saying, "If I could fault Madalyn for anything, it would be her making her atheism her religion. She was as feverish as they [religious fundamentalists]would be." We (Atheists) don't have a prophet or texts nor do we need them. However, I do hold a respect for O'Hair and what she did for atheism.

Originally posted by FeceMan
Atheism is "the doctrine or belief that there is no God" and "disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings."

Religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs" and "something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience."

So, technically, atheism is a religion. Of course, that's being annoying and adhering to the strictest of definitions (something that some members of KMC have difficulty with in the first place).

Atheism is not the belief there is no god, most atheist don't know or understand the concept of god. Also, in religion, these beliefs have to be about something not the denial of something.

Originally posted by lord xyz
It seems that alot of people here don't understand what it's like to be atheist, or even, what it is. [b]It's not a religion. And here's why.

Every religion has a belief system that can't be explained or proven by true science. An example is god. Another thing religion has is a prophet, someone who started the belief, or who believed it first. The third is a book, or a set of rules, something that the followers read to be "good". Another thing they have is a house, or a building in which the follwers go to to show respect. Teachers who adress the religion, (priests, bishops, mullars etc.). And lastly, a symble that represent their faith to it.

As you can see, Atheists have no book, beliefs, prophets etc. Atheism is not the disbelief of anything. It's the abscence of belief. It's not an organised alternative teaching method to youngens. It's not a religion. Don't treat it as one. Because that's where the problem stasts. [/B]

Atheists that organize in any manner have in essence attained many of the aspects that define a religion. They do have a dogma based on antithesis to theist claims. There are teachers of atheism, I have attended lectures given by educated individuals on the subject of God that were entirely based on an atheist stance. There are sets of rules governing atheist behavior, they may not be as solid or well documented, but they do exist.

Atheism is the denial or disbelief in any form of deity. It is the definition. The claim to the absence, or lack, of belief being atheism is fallacious. Atheism is a stance on the subject of deity, it is not a position of ignorance on the subject.

Originally posted by lord xyz
hmm You make an interesting point. I myself have also wondered how Buddhism fell into the religion catagory.

Wait, isn't it said that Buddha sat under a tree for 20 years or something?

Nah. Overexaggagerated story.

There is another one, that Buddha started walking as soon as he was born and the lotus was blooming undeneath his feet.

Also, not true...or believed. 😑 As far as I know anyway.

Originally posted by Impediment
I agree with you on that note, however, some atheists I know would dare to go as far and call Madalyn O'Hair the "prophet" of atheists. While she did dedicate her life to atheism and helped pave the road, she tried to make it into a religion of sorts. O'Hair's good friend Larry Flynt is quoted as saying, "If I could fault Madalyn for anything, it would be her making her atheism her religion. She was as feverish as they [religious fundamentalists]would be." We (Atheists) don't have a prophet or texts nor do we need them. However, I do hold a respect for O'Hair and what she did for atheism.

http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/bacon/

Originally posted by lord xyz
the philosophy where people aren't to serve god, rather they are to serve themself.

The Satanist also shares similar views, that self gratification and happiness during your time on Earth is better than serving a mythological figure.

Originally posted by lord xyz
Hinduism

Supernatural Beliefs: God, Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, reincarnation etc.
Prophet: Unknown
Book: Karma Bhagavad Gita
Building: Temple
Teacher: Guru
Symbol: Aum, Swastika

Talking about atheist prophecies, I believe that if anyone should be called "The prophet of atheism", it would be the englishman known as Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626).

Talking about atheist prophets is sort silly no matter who you choose.

I think that some schools of Buddhism can definitely be clasified as religious; at it's root, it's just a philosophy.

Originally posted by Impediment
The Satanist also shares similar views, that self gratification and happiness during your time on Earth is better than serving a mythological figure.