Is Atheism considered a religion?
Vote Here
The voting period for this debate does not end.
Voting Style: | Open | Point System: | 7 Point | ||
Started: | 2/18/2010 | Category: | Religion | ||
Updated: | 8 years ago | Status: | Voting Period | ||
Viewed: | 1,530 times | Debate No: | 11227 |
Debate Rounds (4)
Comments (9)
Votes (3)
I will request that this goes as a souceless debate. It's purely opinion based due to an unwillingness to dive deep into certain religions. If we start bringing sources into it, I will simply not debate it any further. In personal opinion definitions are not to be considered as sources.
Now to begin: Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, exp. 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. If this is the case then, Atheism is considered to be the belief in nothing. The belief in that nothing is considered to be a belief therefore making atheism a religion. Upon being asked what your religion is, some people reply with "I'm a Christian" while others reply with "I'm an Atheist." These words alone show that Atheism is a religion. Vote Pro
I thank my opponent for creating this debate for this is a topic that I feel very strongly about. With that said I accept the premise of a source-less debate and my opponent's definition of religion. ~~~~~~ Rebuttals ~~~~~~ ///Now to begin: Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, exp. 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./// [With this definition I believe that my opponent has won the debate for me. Using this definition Atheism does not fall under the category of religion. Atheism is not a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, or purpose of the universe. Atheism has no devotional or religious observances. Atheism does not dictate a moral code. Atheism is simply the belief that there is no supernatural power that governs the universe. That is all that Atheism is about. If Atheism itself gave some explanation of he nature of the universe than it might very well be a religion.] ///If this is the case then, Atheism is considered to be the belief in nothing. The belief in that nothing is considered to be a belief therefore making atheism a religion./// [My opponent claims that Atheism is the belief in nothing. This is not correct, as I said above, Atheism is the belief that there is no supernatural power. There is also the alternate definition that Atheism is the disbelief in all supernatural powers which is commonly referred to as Agnostic-Atheism or Weak Atheism. I say again that neither of these beliefs is the belief in nothing.] ///Upon being asked what your religion is, some people reply with "I'm a Christian" while others reply with "I'm an Atheist." These words alone show that Atheism is a religion./// [I do not deny that when asked the above question part of my response is, "I'm an Atheist." but I also preface this with the phrase, "I don't have a religion." While many Atheists may not say the first part out loud I am quite sure that they think it to themselves. This argument is basically just semanticizing by saying: "When I asked you what religion you are you answered 'Atheist' so Athiesm must be a religion." It is not a valid argument and I ask that my opponent drop it. With that all said I conclude my arguments for this round and wish my opponent luck. |
![]() |
Vicious_Integrity forfeited this round.
That is unfortunate. I extend all of my arguments. |
![]() |
Vicious_Integrity forfeited this round.
I extend all of my arguments. |
![]() |
Vicious_Integrity forfeited this round.
I extend all of my arguments. |
![]() |
3 votes have been placed for this debate. Showing 1 through 3 records.
Vote Placed by Marauder 8 years ago
Vicious_Integrity | Korashk | Tied | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Agreed with before the debate: | ![]() | - | - | 0 points |
Agreed with after the debate: | ![]() | - | - | 0 points |
Who had better conduct: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Had better spelling and grammar: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Made more convincing arguments: | - | ![]() | - | 3 points |
Used the most reliable sources: | - | ![]() | - | 2 points |
Total points awarded: | 0 | 7 |
Vote Placed by RoyLatham 8 years ago
Vicious_Integrity | Korashk | Tied | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Agreed with before the debate: | - | ![]() | - | 0 points |
Agreed with after the debate: | - | ![]() | - | 0 points |
Who had better conduct: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Had better spelling and grammar: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Made more convincing arguments: | - | ![]() | - | 3 points |
Used the most reliable sources: | - | - | ![]() | 2 points |
Total points awarded: | 0 | 5 |
Vote Placed by Korashk 8 years ago
Vicious_Integrity | Korashk | Tied | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Agreed with before the debate: | - | ![]() | - | 0 points |
Agreed with after the debate: | - | ![]() | - | 0 points |
Who had better conduct: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Had better spelling and grammar: | - | ![]() | - | 1 point |
Made more convincing arguments: | - | ![]() | - | 3 points |
Used the most reliable sources: | - | ![]() | - | 2 points |
Total points awarded: | 0 | 7 |
I think religious people want to claim that atheists are as dogmatic about their beliefs as they are. If true, it wouldn't justify dogmatism.
Another is: 'a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects'
Those two are the most common uses of the term: atheism fits neither.
BTW, please don't take the comment to mean that I was saying that all religious beliefs are irrational and unsupported. I was simply speculating on the possibility that the people espousing this argument are trying to level the playing field, because I can't think of another reason they would care what atheism is designated as.
The resolution is poorly worded. The "is considered a religion" is a question that could only be answer by a poll, but Pro excluded use of sources. Pro introduced his own definition of religion, and what was debated was whether atheism fits that definition. Con correctly pointed out that it does not.
Atheism can meet some definition of religion when some atheists explain nearly every ill of the world as being due to religion, but that isn't inherent in atheism. That's like people making a religion out of golf. No matter, the debate didn't go there.
The ever popular quote, "If Atheism is a religion then not collecting stamps is a hobby."