Is Atheism considered a religious group?

[edthecynic]

I wish it was, then we would get all the special tax privileges other religions get.

did you think there were no atheist 501(c)(3) entities?.....
Feds say OK to atheists on religion tax break

atheism is a religion.....its the law!......

Almost!

If you read the link, that is only the argument of the government in the case. There was no mention that the court had come to a decision, only that the case can go forward.

From your link:

In a brief, the Justice Department argued leaders of an atheist group may qualify for an exemption...

"Plaintiffs may not presume that a law's reference to religion necessarily excludes beliefs that are specifically non-theistic in nature," the government argued in a motion to dismiss the suit.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

Again, those free from faith do not constitute a 'religion,' to correctly understand the fact that there is no 'god' as perceived by theists is not a 'belief,' it is an acknowledgment of that fact. One cannot not believe in something that never existed to begin with.

 

[PratchettFan]

Again, those free from faith do not constitute a 'religion,' to correctly understand the fact that there is no 'god' as perceived by theists is not a 'belief,' it is an acknowledgment of that fact. One cannot not believe in something that never existed to begin with.

I can see you believe that very strongly. And without a shred of evidence. Faith is the belief in things unknown. You do, however, continue to confuse fact with belief.

 

[AVG-JOE]

Hello,

I Think Atheism is a religion, many atheists share the same belief, many also share same motives with other atheists, which are also reflected on other religious groups in different forms.

Atheism - Denial the existence of God..by

-Science.
Disprove other religious claims (of other religious groups)
ChYou're entitled to think whatever you like, provided you understand that in this case you're wrong. ance/Coincidence
-Logic/Personal insight.
Assumption
Life perspective


Peace,
Danny.

You're entitled to think whatever you like, provided you understand that in this case you're wrong.

EVERYbody has the right to be wrong. That's what makes the whole thing work.

 

[PratchettFan]

The mistake theists make is to assume – as a consequence of their arrogance – that religion is 'fact,' and to infer that to reject the 'fact' of religion constitutes a 'belief.'

Needless to say nothing could be further from the truth.

The fact is religion is the contrivance, the aberration, the fabricated belief system designed to assuage man's fear of death and compel conformity. To reject the falsehood of religion, therefore, is to acknowledge the truth that for the vast majority of human history man existed free from the bane of religion; acknowledging this fact is not 'belief,' and to correctly understand the truth that religion and god are creations of man is not in of itself 'religion.'

The religion is collection/series of evidences gather under big title baring its name (most respectfully of course) since not disproved/proved differently it assumed to be true..Science can disprove/prove differently many religious evidences.
The belief is not the precise word, faith was the word I was looking for.
faith is supposedly not to be found in atheists, which doesn't have God/High Powers but this is also the same about religious people, they tend to have faith in the evidence, that this is true, relating the collection of evidences, that shape the so-called belief, as a faith-based conclusion.

Peace,
Danny.

Religion is a human construct. You find within it certain themes, belief being one and dogma another. When someone tells me that 1) they know there is no God and 2) they have no beliefs because an atheist, by definition, have no beliefs then I know I am faced with both belief and dogma.

I don't think atheism, in and of itself, is a religion. But that doesn't mean there are no atheists who treat it as such.

 

[PostmodernProph]

I wish it was, then we would get all the special tax privileges other religions get.

did you think there were no atheist 501(c)(3) entities?.....
Feds say OK to atheists on religion tax break

atheism is a religion.....its the law!......

Almost!

If you read the link, that is only the argument of the government in the case. There was no mention that the court had come to a decision, only that the case can go forward.

From your link:

In a brief, the Justice Department argued leaders of an atheist group may qualify for an exemption...

"Plaintiffs may not presume that a law's reference to religion necessarily excludes beliefs that are specifically non-theistic in nature," the government argued in a motion to dismiss the suit.

Atheists United's Page - Atheist Nexus
Atheists United (Official)
Atheists United is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to maintain a positive atheist community that fosters a supportive environment for its members.

http://www.kcatheists.org/501c3/
The Kansas City Atheist Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to advance atheism through activism, philanthropy, education and by cultivating a positive secular community.
etc....

support your local cynic-gogue.....

 

[edthecynic]

did you think there were no atheist 501(c)(3) entities?.....
Feds say OK to atheists on religion tax break

atheism is a religion.....its the law!......

Almost!

If you read the link, that is only the argument of the government in the case. There was no mention that the court had come to a decision, only that the case can go forward.

From your link:

In a brief, the Justice Department argued leaders of an atheist group may qualify for an exemption...

"Plaintiffs may not presume that a law's reference to religion necessarily excludes beliefs that are specifically non-theistic in nature," the government argued in a motion to dismiss the suit.

Atheists United's Page - Atheist Nexus
Atheists United (Official)
Atheists United is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to maintain a positive atheist community that fosters a supportive environment for its members.

501(c)3 Information - Kansas City Atheist Coalition
The Kansas City Atheist Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to advance atheism through activism, philanthropy, education and by cultivating a positive secular community.
etc....

support your local cynic-gogue.....

A 501 c3 is quite different from a religious exemption. For example, you can't declare your house a parsonage in a 501 c3. As a parsonage you get to deduct the value of your house from your taxes, plus your household expenses become tax deductions when you "donate" the money to pay your electric bill or repair your roof.

 

[PostmodernProph]

Almost!

If you read the link, that is only the argument of the government in the case. There was no mention that the court had come to a decision, only that the case can go forward.

From your link:

In a brief, the Justice Department argued leaders of an atheist group may qualify for an exemption...

"Plaintiffs may not presume that a law's reference to religion necessarily excludes beliefs that are specifically non-theistic in nature," the government argued in a motion to dismiss the suit.

Atheists United's Page - Atheist Nexus
Atheists United (Official)
Atheists United is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to maintain a positive atheist community that fosters a supportive environment for its members.

501(c)3 Information - Kansas City Atheist Coalition
The Kansas City Atheist Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to advance atheism through activism, philanthropy, education and by cultivating a positive secular community.
etc....

support your local cynic-gogue.....

A 501 c3 is quite different from a religious exemption. For example, you can't declare your house a parsonage in a 501 c3. As a parsonage you get to deduct the value of your house from your taxes, plus your household expenses become tax deductions when you "donate" the money to pay your electric bill or repair your roof.

every church I am familiar with is established under a 501c3 certificate....and no, a pastor can't simply declare his house a parsonage.......if a church owns a home that they permit a pastor to live in there are no property taxes on it.....nobody deducts the value of their house from their income taxes....

the leader of an atheist organization qualified as a 501c3 would be entitled to the same household expense allowance provisions that a protestant preacher would......

 

[edthecynic]

Atheists United's Page - Atheist Nexus
Atheists United (Official)
Atheists United is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to maintain a positive atheist community that fosters a supportive environment for its members.

501(c)3 Information - Kansas City Atheist Coalition
The Kansas City Atheist Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to advance atheism through activism, philanthropy, education and by cultivating a positive secular community.
etc....

support your local cynic-gogue.....

A 501 c3 is quite different from a religious exemption. For example, you can't declare your house a parsonage in a 501 c3. As a parsonage you get to deduct the value of your house from your taxes, plus your household expenses become tax deductions when you "donate" the money to pay your electric bill or repair your roof.

every church I am familiar with is established under a 501c3 certificate....and no, a pastor can't simply declare his house a parsonage.......if a church owns a home that they permit a pastor to live in there are no property taxes on it.....nobody deducts the value of their house from their income taxes....

the leader of an atheist organization qualified as a 501c3 would be entitled to the same household expense allowance provisions that a protestant preacher would......

You donate YOUR house to YOUR church and YOU as head of YOUR church declare it a parsonage and YOU get to live in YOUR house and get to deduct the fair market value of YOUR house as a tax deduction from YOUR income taxes. That trick was invented by religious tax attorney Rev Pat Robertson, who BTW had to move out of his mansion when he stepped down as pastor to run for the GOP nomination, but don't cry for him, his son simply moved in.

 

[emilynghiem]

Hi [MENTION=49937]Daniyel[/MENTION]: Yes, I consider each person's individual beliefs to be their own equivalent religion, so of course I apply this to atheist or nontheist views as well.

If people identify as Atheists and connect with other Atheists as under a common belief system, then yes, that operates similar to a religious tribe or identity with members who relate to each other using common language and methods of proof.

However, if people merely consider themselves "nontheist," that is like asking if secular language, laws or terms constitute a religion.

This is why I prefer to use the term NONTHEIST and not focus on atheism, anti-theism, or any specific approach. NONTHEIST just describes things in a way without "personifying" the natural and universal aspects in life normally associated with God as a "person" or "being" but uses an "impersonal" approach to describing the same concepts, laws and relations.

Hello,

I Think Atheism is a religion, many atheists share the same belief, many also share same motives with other atheists, which are also reflected on other religious groups in different forms.

Atheism - Denial the existence of God..by

-Science.
Disprove other religious claims (of other religious groups)
Chance/Coincidence
-Logic/Personal insight.
Assumption
Life perspective


Peace,
Danny.

 

[PostmodernProph]

A 501 c3 is quite different from a religious exemption. For example, you can't declare your house a parsonage in a 501 c3. As a parsonage you get to deduct the value of your house from your taxes, plus your household expenses become tax deductions when you "donate" the money to pay your electric bill or repair your roof.

every church I am familiar with is established under a 501c3 certificate....and no, a pastor can't simply declare his house a parsonage.......if a church owns a home that they permit a pastor to live in there are no property taxes on it.....nobody deducts the value of their house from their income taxes....

the leader of an atheist organization qualified as a 501c3 would be entitled to the same household expense allowance provisions that a protestant preacher would......

You donate YOUR house to YOUR church and YOU as head of YOUR church declare it a parsonage and YOU get to live in YOUR house and get to deduct the fair market value of YOUR house as a tax deduction from YOUR income taxes. That trick was invented by religious tax attorney Rev Pat Robertson, who BTW had to move out of his mansion when he stepped down as pastor to run for the GOP nomination, but don't cry for him, his son simply moved in.

nothing there to prevent an atheist from doing the same with his cynic-gogue....

 

[Sgt_Gath]

It can have similar qualities to one, if taken to extremes.

However, I wouldn't say that it necessarily has to be by nature.

 

[amrchaos]

Wait--so every non-profit that files a 501c3 is a religion or religious group?

I want to make sure I understand the logic of the argument here.

Also, a more simpler question--What is the true definition of a religion?

Another thing. Yes, a belief system is not a religion(It can be a philosophy, a code of ethics, etc.) but a religion normally has a distinct belief system that it teaches its followers. If Atheism is a religion, then what is the belief system it teaches its followers.

Note that:
1 There is no god.
versus
2. It is highly unlike a god exist but I am open to proof for god

can be said by two different atheists. So which is taught, If you are to claim that this is the belief system?

Also, finally(I know, you are getting tired of these add ons) is it possible for an atheist to learn and teach another religion? If so, could you then consider that person as a member of that religious group not having faith in that religion(I do)? How about if an atheist perform many of the tasks and requirements to be considered a practicing member of that group?

Is it even possible for non-believers of your religion(not necessarily atheists) to be long standing and active members in your church or whatever?(I think so)

 

[amrchaos]

Oh, and one more thing I keep coming across

Is there such a thing as a Buddhists that does not believe in God? A simple yes or no pretty tells me your perspective on the general topic.


By the way, it is possible that those Atheists groups filing 501c3s are trying to establish a political point as well. And if the Feds accepted their classification, then those atheists failed!!

 

[sealybobo]

Hello,

I Think Atheism is a religion, many atheists share the same belief, many also share same motives with other atheists, which are also reflected on other religious groups in different forms.

Atheism - Denial the existence of God..by

-Science.
Disprove other religious claims (of other religious groups)
Chance/Coincidence
-Logic/Personal insight.
Assumption
Life perspective


Peace,
Danny.

Do we have to pay taxes still?

Calling atheism a religion is like calling bald a hair color, or not collecting stamps a hobby.

Atheism is simply a lack of belief in a god or gods, nothing more. If we deconstruct the term ‘atheism’ we find ‘a – theism’ which means ‘without – theism’ which, in turn, means ‘without – belief in god(s)’. It is, therefore, not a positive belief or a claim to knowledge. Instead, it is the default position of doubt, uncertainty and skepticism one may have regarding claims made by theists. Just as it takes no faith to lack belief or remain uncertain concerning any other imaginable claim, it takes none to doubt the existence of a god or gods. See also: Atheism is based on faith, Russell’s Teapot.

Every human-being ever born begins life as an implicit atheist and must be taught the concept of theism or, more commonly, indoctrinated with it.

Atheism has no sacred texts, objects, places or times, no rituals or creation stories, no positive beliefs, central tenants, modes of worship or supernatural claims, no implicit or derived moral codes, philosophies or world views and no central organisation or church. It fulfills none of the criteria that define a religion. See also: Atheism is a religion.

Atheists may subscribe to any additional ideologies, philosophies and belief systems they choose, eg. Buddhism, Jainism, Universalism, Environmentalism, Pragmatism, Liberalism, Socialism, Libertarianism, Conservatism, etc. They may even appreciate components of traditional religion and spiritualism, including any supernatural elements unrelated to a god. Common among many atheists, however, is an appreciation for secularism, rationalism, humanism, skepticism, naturalism, materialism and freethinking – none of which are implicit or derived from atheism, nor necessary in order to lack belief.

“To say that atheism requires faith is as dim-witted as saying that disbelief in pixies or leprechauns takes faith. Even if Einstein himself told me there was an elf on my shoulder, I would still ask for proof and I wouldn’t be wrong to ask.” – Geoff Mather