Is Atheism a Religion?
The common definition for Atheism is a disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.
Many atheists would therefore argue that atheism is not a religion because a religion requires God or gods. This argument is however incorrect.
There are various religions that are non-theistic. Non-theistic religions have an apathy or silence towards the subject of God or gods. Buddhism is an example.
Oxford Dictionaries defines Religion as a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion; A particular system of faith and worship
Merriam Webster defines Religion as a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Dictionary.com defines Religion as a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects:
Therefore it’s clear from the above definitions that a religion can also be a system of beliefs that does not necessarily involve the worship of God or gods.
In the case of Atheism it would be logical to therefore express that Atheism IS a religion because of the following reasons:
Atheism Requires Faith
The main component of all religions is that a certain amount of faith is required in order to be part of that particular religion.
Therefore a person must have faith in the belief systems and the principles that guide that religion.
Atheism itself IS a belief system. It is a belief that God does not exist. This belief system is opposed to the beliefs of more than 80% of the world’s population who believe in God or gods while atheists consist of only less than 10% of the global population.
Atheism is a belief system because it takes faith to believe in their doctrine of evolution and creation.
Atheists cannot prove the origin of life but yet they have faith in the concept that life and the universe was created from nothing.
Atheists have faith that evolution occurred yet they do not have any observable and testable evidence for evolution.
Therefore atheism requires faith in physically unprovable claims.
Atheists Have Their Own Prophets
Charles Darwin is the prophet of atheism & evolution. Without Darwin’s theory of evolution it would be safe to say that atheists would have very little references for their atheistic beliefs.
Darwinism is the reason why people become atheists. What atheists forget is that the theory of evolution is a “theory”. Darwin has admitted to lacking evidence. Evolution is NOT fact. It is NOT truth. Evolution itself is full of historical assumptions, presumptions and hypothesis made by men who cannot prove their claims.
However just as every religion has its prophet or founder – Darwin is the prophet of evolution and atheism. Even though Darwin could not prove his own theories, atheists are willing to believe in Darwinism without question or doubt.
Atheism Has Its Own Preachers
Christians have often asked atheists this question: If God doesn’t exist, why do they care if someone worships Him?
The reason Christians ask this question is because they have observed the effort in which atheists seek to convert and rebut Christianity.
Atheists have made a concerted effort to prove to religious people that God does not exist.
It seems contradictory and hypocritical that atheists would try to impose their own belief system of atheism on people who believe in God.
Therefore atheism just like any other religion, has its own preachers. These atheist preachers seek to convert religious people into atheists.
Atheists Have Their Own Doctrines
Examples of atheist doctrines would be the theory of evolution, the big bang theory, abiogenesis and the many historical and unprovable assumptions of how life and the universe came into existence.
Despite lacking evidence for their historical assumption, most atheists are extremely loyal to their belief system and doctrine. They have faith in their doctrines and they have faith that Darwin’s theories are correct.
What Does the Bible Say?
Romans 1:20-23 says “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things”.
The Bible is clear that atheists suppress the existence of God. It actually takes MORE faith for a person to lack belief in God than for that same person to believe God exists.
Atheism is therefore a not just a lack of belief in God – it is a religion.