Anonymous wrote:It's got many of the tenets of a religion: faith, dogma, disciples, heretics, follower's belief in the primacy of it, many who prosthelytize on its behalf, and finally, an absolute 100% lack of proof that it's accurate.

All those things are found in every other organized religion, too.

Is Atheism a religion unto itself? And how do Atheists feel about that irony?

New Atheists are a religion, definitely. Most atheists don't fall under the New Atheist category though, at least not in my experience.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

I think you may simply be missing the obvious.

When you drive anywhere, how many churches do you see with a criucifix prominently displayed, as well as a Bible quote on the signboard in front? What about temples and mosques? Now, how many "atheist meeting spaces" do you see? I'm betting the answer is zero.

How many billboards taking about "Truth" or advertising other aspects of Christianity? Along a stretch of highway near my house there are three. No atheist billboards, though. How often do you hear things on the radio like those "Not a sermon, just a thought," bits from the McLean Bible Church? How many radio and tv stations carry religious programming? How many carry explicitly "atheist" programming?

How often do people ring your doorbell asking to talk about atheism? No one's ever done that to me, but the Jehovah's Witnesses come though about every 6 weeks, and the Mormons come through about twice a year.

How often do people you know talk about going to church? How often do you hear people ask, "What church do you attend?" How often do you hear atheists say, "Last Sunday when I was actively exercising my lack of belief in God by doing (something other than going to church)..."?

Daily life in the US includes constant implicit and explicit support for religion and proselytizing for it. It's just so embedded in the fabric of life that you don't notice it unless you think about it.


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Anonymous wrote:No. There are some religions that fall under an atheist umbrella (certain sects of Buddhism, for example) but aethiesim is explicitly the lack of religion. I am now atheist after having been raised Christian and I do not try to convert people, nor do I talk about my atheism. I find that Christians are the most aggressive about trying to convert people, so I don't know what the pp is talking about.

I don't try to convert anyone. I'm actually silent about my faith, because I know everyone despises it. So I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Different experiences, I guess.

Really? So you are saying that jehovah's witness, mormons, etc. that go door to door trying to convert people are less aggressive than any atheist that disagrees with your belief? What about evangelicals? My parents are evangelical Christians, and I can tell you that they, and members of their church are NOT quiet about their beliefs, and will never give up trying to convert me. When I said that I find Christians to be the most aggressive about trying to convert people, you cannot deny that there is some truth to this. Are all Christians like that? Of course not, but even the sweetest old lady at my visa pickup has asked me if I've found a church, and when I say no, tries to get me to go to hers.

Do you talk to telemarketers too?

What does that have to do with anything?

It's best to avoid people trying to sell you something.

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Anonymous wrote:No. There are some religions that fall under an atheist umbrella (certain sects of Buddhism, for example) but aethiesim is explicitly the lack of religion. I am now atheist after having been raised Christian and I do not try to convert people, nor do I talk about my atheism. I find that Christians are the most aggressive about trying to convert people, so I don't know what the pp is talking about.

I don't try to convert anyone. I'm actually silent about my faith, because I know everyone despises it. So I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Different experiences, I guess.

Really? So you are saying that jehovah's witness, mormons, etc. that go door to door trying to convert people are less aggressive than any atheist that disagrees with your belief? What about evangelicals? My parents are evangelical Christians, and I can tell you that they, and members of their church are NOT quiet about their beliefs, and will never give up trying to convert me. When I said that I find Christians to be the most aggressive about trying to convert people, you cannot deny that there is some truth to this. Are all Christians like that? Of course not, but even the sweetest old lady at my visa pickup has asked me if I've found a church, and when I say no, tries to get me to go to hers.

Do you talk to telemarketers too?

What does that have to do with anything?

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Anonymous wrote:They sure like to try to convert you to it - so I'd say yes.

Covert to what? How?

Every atheist I know tries to poke holes in my faith - to me. Why? I can see if they're arguing it on the internet, or in general terms, why try to convert me and destroy my faith if there's isn't a religion?

I mean, we all know it's not a religion, but come on.

OP here:

This is what I meant. Every avowed Atheist I've ever encountered has been just as pushy about making me "see the light" as any Evangelical or Jehovah's Wittness I've ever known. It's amazing really. They really are like two side of the same coin. Polar opposites, but of the same circut

It's on you, OP. I never encountered anyone who was pushing their system of beliefs on me. You are interested in arguing.

Agree. You need to find new friends. Non of my friends push their religion on me, and when I meet someone who does, I distance myself.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

What? Are you on crack? Atheism is the absence of religion. Those of you who have a religion don't seem to understand this. Its like trying to describe colour to a blind person.

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Anonymous wrote:No. There are some religions that fall under an atheist umbrella (certain sects of Buddhism, for example) but aethiesim is explicitly the lack of religion. I am now atheist after having been raised Christian and I do not try to convert people, nor do I talk about my atheism. I find that Christians are the most aggressive about trying to convert people, so I don't know what the pp is talking about.

I don't try to convert anyone. I'm actually silent about my faith, because I know everyone despises it. So I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Different experiences, I guess.

Really? So you are saying that jehovah's witness, mormons, etc. that go door to door trying to convert people are less aggressive than any atheist that disagrees with your belief? What about evangelicals? My parents are evangelical Christians, and I can tell you that they, and members of their church are NOT quiet about their beliefs, and will never give up trying to convert me. When I said that I find Christians to be the most aggressive about trying to convert people, you cannot deny that there is some truth to this. Are all Christians like that? Of course not, but even the sweetest old lady at my visa pickup has asked me if I've found a church, and when I say no, tries to get me to go to hers.

Do you talk to telemarketers too?

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

What are the second and third worst religions in the country? And what are the top three best religions, in your opinion?

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Anonymous wrote:No. There are some religions that fall under an atheist umbrella (certain sects of Buddhism, for example) but aethiesim is explicitly the lack of religion. I am now atheist after having been raised Christian and I do not try to convert people, nor do I talk about my atheism. I find that Christians are the most aggressive about trying to convert people, so I don't know what the pp is talking about.

I don't try to convert anyone. I'm actually silent about my faith, because I know everyone despises it. So I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Different experiences, I guess.

Really? So you are saying that jehovah's witness, mormons, etc. that go door to door trying to convert people are less aggressive than any atheist that disagrees with your belief? What about evangelicals? My parents are evangelical Christians, and I can tell you that they, and members of their church are NOT quiet about their beliefs, and will never give up trying to convert me. When I said that I find Christians to be the most aggressive about trying to convert people, you cannot deny that there is some truth to this. Are all Christians like that? Of course not, but even the sweetest old lady at my visa pickup has asked me if I've found a church, and when I say no, tries to get me to go to hers.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

What are the key points of the atheistic proselytizing? How is it done?

As they say, "Atheism is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby."

As an atheist, religion simply isn't a part of my life. I don't attend an "atheist church," my friend's and I don't get together to discuss "atheist writings," and, when under stress or having problems I don't pray to the absence of a deity.

As far as anyone else's beliefs are concerned, the only time it's an issue for me is when certain groups try to legislate their religious beliefs or discriminate based on religion.

If you believe in a deity and you tell me that you're praying for me, I'll say thank you because I understand that you're taking your time and energy to do something that you believe is important for me.

If I invite you to do something on a Sunday morning and you say you can't because you're going to church, I won't mock you for it because it's your time and you get to choose how to spend it.

If you try to convert me to your religion, I'll say, "No thanks." If you insist on ignoring the fact that I said no, then I'll treat you they same way I would someone else who's being rude enough to ignore a polite refusal. I'm not going to argue with you about your religion unless you make it an issue, because your religious beliefs are your choice.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

You sound very threatened. Why is that?

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They sure like to try to convert you to it - so I'd say yes.

Covert to what? How?

Every atheist I know tries to poke holes in my faith - to me. Why? I can see if they're arguing it on the internet, or in general terms, why try to convert me and destroy my faith if there's isn't a religion?

I mean, we all know it's not a religion, but come on.

OP here:

This is what I meant. Every avowed Atheist I've ever encountered has been just as pushy about making me "see the light" as any Evangelical or Jehovah's Wittness I've ever known. It's amazing really. They really are like two side of the same coin. Polar opposites, but of the same circut

It's on you, OP. I never encountered anyone who was pushing their system of beliefs on me. You are interested in arguing.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.

Yep. This.

Absolutely atheist is a religion that more than just about any other works to imporse their religion upon other. They prosthelytize and evangelize more than most religions. They work tirelessly to establish atheism as the unofficial state religion.

They are one of the worst religions right now in this country.