Can we agree that a religion is a system, consisting of truth claims and ritual that encourage or enforce uniform beliefs and behavior, and usually giving advice (commandments, noble paths, taboos, etc.)? Gods are optional, since there are religions that dont really have a god (and are sometimes referred to as atheistic religions). It seems to me that calling anything else a religion is equivocating (e.g., music is my religion). I dont see how atheism can be a religion. Its just a term for a state of unbelief regarding gods. Thats it. If a religion can be called atheistic, as Buddhism has been, its still a religion; but the atheism isnt what makes it a religion. I think it is mainly centered around observing certain rituals the acceptance of doctrine as true in some sense (either literal or metaphorical.) Someone might say that atheism is a religion because militant atheists are actively recruiting individuals to join them. Thats bogus. Is the Army a religion? They recruit. Finally, rituals are used for other than religious purposes. Commencement exercises, Masonic rituals, military revues, swearing-in ceremonies, and the Pledge of Allegiance -- all [mostly] secular rituals. Not religions, obviously.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 23:58:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015