Because you said it “could be” about a million times. After the tenth time it becomes not “could be” but IS.Comeon! Use the brain your god could have given you. You could be acting dense.

Brock, I said it could be a million times because I was correcting the people who thought I said it is.  And it is the natural response when someone says it can’t be/isn’t and you feel it could be.  I don’t know if it is, but I think it can be depending on how you look at it.

I am really surprised at the low quality of Atheists on this website.  I am waiting for a reply from Les, but obviously you did not see my reply to him.  Words like “Faggott” have different things that they refer to.  And Arsole…  are you really that desperate?  They aren’t even the same word.  Please write coherent logical replies, and stop trying to bounce around my initial point(Which I have not moved away from.)  Religion is referring to one thing.  Faggot refers to three separate things.

Read my reply to Les.

-James’

I just stumbled across a good example of the line of

bullshit

reasoning that comes into play when people start asserting that atheism is a religion:

A person’s religion is the sum total of his beliefs about God and the supernatural. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the three largest “monotheistic” religions, with belief one God, Creator Of The Universe.

Some religions are “polytheistic,“ with belief in many gods, each with different functions.

Atheism is the religion whose belief about God is that there is no God.

Some Atheists, for their own political reasons, assert that Atheism is not a religion but instead is the total absence of religion. This allows them to spread their Atheistic beliefs freely in societies which insist on “separation of church and state.“

But this is like saying that “black,“ (which physicists define as the total absence of color) is not a color. The car I drive is a big, old Chevrolet, whose color is black. In common practice throughout the world, “black” is understood to be a color, despite the technical definition of the physicists. Likewise, “Atheism” is a religion, despite any technical definitions to the contrary.

If black is a color, then Atheism is a religion.

If Atheism is a religion, then it must be subject to the same legal restrictions imposed by governments on all other religions. In particular, in the United States, the teaching of Atheism must be prohibited wherever the teaching of Christianity is prohibited.

But where is Atheism being taught? Atheism is being taught, by default, in all places where other religions cannot be taught, particularly in the public schools.

When the State mandates that the Theory of Evolution be taught as fact, that is establishing the religion of Atheism, because the Theory of Evolution asserts that all life forms are created not by God, but by pre-existing natural processes. This is pure Atheism! If we are not created by God, then there might as well be no God, for all the difference He makes.

The mere fact that many scientists are Atheists does not entitle them to establish Atheism as our State Religion!

When the State prohibits free discussion of God in the classroom, that is establishing the religion of Atheism. Wherever the State permits Atheistic ideas to be spread but prohibits Theistic ideas, that is establishing the religion of Atheism.

Therefore I urge you to understand clearly in your mind that Atheism is a religion, just as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are religions. And any restrictions placed on Christianity, Judaism, or Islam must also be placed on Atheism. Atheism must not be allowed to slip through its little loophole any longer, by pretending it is not a religion.

This is why it bothers us when people try to claim atheism is something it isn’t. Because they invariably go on to use that faulty premise to construct a ridiculous argument.

Les: Let’s see if I can simplify this enough for you:

Bald is the lack of hair.

Atheism is the lack of religious belief.

Les, once again… as I have already stated.
In order for this to be true, the definition of Atheism you just gave must be the only definition.

Is it?

And the five points in the definition of Religion from Encarta…  I wish there was a word other than “thing” to describe this..  but the type of things that Faggott can refer to are completely different in the sense that they are describing things not even related.  Religion, those are give examples, types of religion.

Wes, is the definition you gave the only definition for religion?

This was somehow skipped over as well.

Is

the positive belief that deities do not exist

a

belief or opinion concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, or divine involvement in the universe and human life

?

Or how about

the doctrine that there is no deity

?

Those are all definitions given.  If those are possible meanings, then Atheism can be a religion.

-James’

GBC: am really surprised at the low quality of Atheists on this website.  I am waiting for a reply from Les, but obviously you did not see my reply to him.  Words like “Faggott” have different things that they refer to.  And Arsole… are you really that desperate?  They aren’t even the same word

I’m agnostic at the moment, but yeah, I shouldn’t have cracked that joke, it just happens that I’m a chemistry student and looking for an oppertunity to use it. Fair do’s, I shouldn’t have said it, didn’t mean anything when I said it, and will take the fall for saying it inapropriately without explanation.

However it is fully within your power to disregard and avoid such things, people will say them in this sort of environment in this sort of situation, and though that doesn’t make it right but you could pacify the situation if you really wanted, which to some extent I have seen you doing. It’s a diplomatic thing.

SS: There are lots of homeless people, exploited women, and starving children out there that you could be assisting. Wouldn’t that be so much more rewarding than trying to convince a bunch of (for the most part) atheists that their lack of belief somehow constitutes a religion

Very valid, for anyone with ethics regardless of religous categorisation. Personally I prefer not to think about them for my own peace of mind - it’s an asshole way to be but most people, if they’re honest do, otherwise we might as well give everything (beyond the bills) to charity and volenteer all the time we don’t have available - where do you draw the line?

I believe Pink Unicorns did NOT create the universe.  I can not prove this.

Is Anti Pink-unicornism a religeon

I am at College, I am between classes, I am done with my homework.  I can’t leave and go do charity right now.  Please, stick to the subject at least.

-James’

I believe Pink Unicorns did NOT create the universe.  I can not prove this.

Is Anti Pink-unicornism a religeon

Can you disprove yourself?

-James’

Now you

Well your answer was BS but maybe that’s the best I can expect out of you.  But here goes.

First of all, I didn’t start this either; it happens every time some god-shouter drops by here and we’re tired of it.  and it matters because it is an attempt to promote the notion of belief by choice, of faith, of irrationality as an answer to the universe.  It is an attempt to make all beliefs equal, not by elevating the ones unsupported by evidence, but by pulling down the beliefs that are.

Religion is a class of belief supported by faith, and - the bible is very clear about this - faith is specifically not rational. 

When you make an extraordinary claim such as “there is a cosmic intelligence that created the universe and reads your every thought” then YOU must provide the evidence.  That is how you make headway in a naturalist forum.

LH: Is Anti Pink-unicornism a religeon

If you wanted it to be, an earth-based religion is only a human-created theory anyway, and you have as much right to validity of faith as anyone else regardless of how likely it sounds or how many people agree with you - there are no limits, there is indeed no proof that we don’t live in the matrix (or something similar) - but note the system containing the matrix would need more capacity storage and processing power than is available in the matrix, meaning if there was an infinite quantity of data , it would be uncontainable and therefore real.

DoC

now that we have this settled…

Is

the positive belief that deities do not exist

a

belief or opinion concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, or divine involvement in the universe and human life

?

Or how about

the doctrine that there is no deity

?

Those are all definitions given.  If those are possible meanings, then Atheism can be a religion.  Am I wrong here?

-James’

GBC: I can’t leave and go do charity right now.  Please, stick to the subject at least

Topic drift within reason is acceptable, and I was just responding to something sadie said, this whole discussion is a tangent from the thread topic, indeed it’s sometimes difficult to elaborate on the conversation without doing so

BZZT! we’re done with that whole discussion because clearly you are fishing around for definitions that meet the conclusion you have already drawn.  You can define a dog as a cat if you work that way.

Your next step, if you do not want to be completely ignored, is to offer some evidence for your religion.  Because you sure ain’t makin’ any converts this way.

Thus far, Distant Claws.. you have been very reasonable.  Thank you, and so have Les and Brock.

You guys are making sense.

-James’

BZZT! we’re done with that whole discussion because clearly you are fishing around for definitions that meet the conclusion you have already drawn.  You can define a dog as a cat if you work that way.

I have been using the same definitions.  Look, you guys are insisting that these definitions can not be true.  You will not admit the possibility of Atheism being a Religion, and I don’t understand why.  I already posted that three times DoF, and I’m still waiting for someone to answer it.  Those are commone definitions, so please answer.

Take things one at a time, and hurry up.  I don’t have much time.  Is it really that hard to get you to admit that a funny analogy wasn’t completely accurate?

-James’

GBC writes…

Les, once again… as I have already stated.
In order for this to be true, the definition of Atheism you just gave must be the only definition.

Is it?

It doesn’t matter how many definitions of atheism there are. Considering the Christian penchant for trying to force their own definitions on the word atheist to fit their arguments it’s not surprising if you can find multiple conflicting definitions.

By some definitions atheists are “immoral” and “satanists” and both of those statements are flatly incorrect as well.

Again I point out that simply because you can find a definition on how a word is used that doesn’t make it the final authority on what the word means.

As Webs pointed out you can make some assumptions about what we mean when we call you an asshole, but unless you ask us directly then all you’ve got is an assumption about what we mean. The definitions you decide to apply to us doesn’t change the reality of what we are anymore than us calling you an asshole ends up in you literally being an anus.

And the five points in the definition of Religion from Encarta… I wish there was a word other than “thing” to describe this..  but the type of things that Faggott can refer to are completely different in the sense that they are describing things not even related.  Religion, those are give examples, types of religion.

And the faggot entry gave three types of faggot all of which are related by their definition as a faggot.

Surely you’re not suggesting that being obsessive about something like exercise is in any way the same as being a Catholic are you? I watch some TV shows religiously, but that doesn’t mean those shows are religion or that I am religious because I make a point of watching those shows.

Wes,

What is it with you and your complete inability to address people by their proper name? From now on I’ll be editing your comments so that your user name will appear as: TheGreatBigDumbFuck.

Is that OK with you? Surely it shouldn’t be a problem seeing as it’s the content of your comments everyone should be focusing on and not your name, right?

is the definition you gave the only definition for religion?

Again, simply because there are multiple definitions for something that doesn’t mean they’re all germane to the discussion at hand which was the point of my faggot example.

Those are all definitions given.  If those are possible meanings, then Atheism can be a religion.

No, it can’t. No matter how many times you claim it can be a religion it still cannot be a religion. It is the antithesis of religion. No matter how many ways you try to twist the definition of religion via quote mining to fit your agenda there is no way that atheism can be a religion.

Those are all definitions given.  If those are possible meanings, then Atheism can be a religion.  Am I wrong here?

Yes, you are wrong.

I have been using the same definitions.  Look, you guys are insisting that these definitions can not be true.  You will not admit the possibility of Atheism being a Religion, and I don’t understand why.

I’ve explained to you why it’s not possible for atheism to be a religion in terms even a mentally disabled five year old could grasp. It’s not our fault if you can’t get your head around why this isn’t possible.

I already posted that three times DoF, and I’m still waiting for someone to answer it.  Those are commone definitions, so please answer.

You’ve gotten your answers, you just refuse to accept them.

Take things one at a time, and hurry up.  I don’t have much time.  Is it really that hard to get you to admit that a funny analogy wasn’t completely accurate?

It is perfectly accurate and remains such. Bald is the opposite of having hair and atheism is the opposite of having religion. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

Ok, DoC (I’ll stick to that so I don’t make anymore

...Bong says as he makes yet another “typo”.

You Decrepit Old Curmudgeon you, DOF.

Bong, I’ll throw you a bone: Atheism “could be” a religion for some idiot who is desperate for a meaningless religion. Hell, people worship money, fashion or Jennifer Lopez - why not atheism?

So now can we move on to another subject already because I need to get to the atheist church later? They might be in need of a Pope.

GBC: Thus far, Distant Claws.. you have been very reasonable.  Thank you, and so have Les and Brock.

Thankyou, it requires a certain level of personality to be able to recognise patience, and this I find is a handy way to guage people, look back on the previous comments and you will notice some level of diplomacy on your part, for which you deserve credit. A fair few of the SEB members who have been here a lot longer than I seem to specialise on long active discussions, and who have a lot of patience because they’re used to things of this nature and reasonable people,

Deeper than some of the insult trading you will find that the main reason they stay is that they want to help and don’t like to write people off, it’s sometimes necessary for some insult trading to break down the outer shells

GBC: I already posted that three times DoF, and I’m still waiting for someone to answer it.  Those are commone definitions, so please answer.

Take things one at a time, and hurry up.  I don’t have much time

Realise that he may have other things to do

Maybe the DNA evidence shows that Jesus had Columba genes…

Have you noticed how he just avoids direct questions?

I do not believe in God(s).

This is not the same as I believe in the non existance of God(s).

For the second I have to have a positive view point on a matter, have to define a set of beliefs..  That is the closest not believing in God will ever come to being a religeon. And its not that. It’s a belief.  A belief is NOT a religion. 

Belief does not make something true.

I am running out of patience with your repetion of answers. Either actually answer our points or go away.

Wes: Again I point out that simply because you can find a definition on how a word is used that doesn’t make it the final authority on what the word means.

Wes!!  You aren’t the final authority on what the word means either!  Unless you believe that you are, Atheism can be a religion.  It also may not be, you can not say it is.  The definition you give, you say it as if it is the only one, but then the one I give, you say it’s just one.  I know it’s just one, so is yours!  That has been my whole point all along!

And the faggot entry gave three types of faggot all of which are related by their definition as a faggot.

You know exactly what I am getting at and you’re using terminology to get around something, it is a foolish and stupid technique used by Kent Hovind and others.  A bundle of sticks and a homosexual are not two versions of the same thing, they are two definitions of the same word.

Surely you’re not suggesting that being obsessive about something like exercise is in any way the same as being a Catholic are you? I watch some TV shows religiously, but that doesn’t mean those shows are religion or that I am religious because I make a point of watching those shows.

According to some definitions, yes.

No, it can’t. No matter how many times you claim it can be a religion it still cannot be a religion. It is the antithesis of religion. No matter how many ways you try to twist the definition of religion via quote mining to fit your agenda there is no way that atheism can be a religion.

I can’t believe how desperate you are.  Quote all the definitions, and answer.  You don’t want it to be able to be a Religion, and you simply will not accept an alternative, or answer the questions.

“Bald is the opposite of having hair and atheism is the opposite of having religion. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.“
You choose to view it that way and insist that it is the only way to view it.

Les, look….

You said,

Let’s see if I can simplify this enough for you:

  Bald is the lack of hair.

  Atheism is the lack of religious belief.

In order for this to be true, the definition of Atheism you just gave must be the only definition.

Yes or No,
Is it?

Is

the positive belief that deities do not exist

a

belief or opinion concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, or divine involvement in the universe and human life

?

Or how about

the doctrine that there is no deity

?

Yes, or No.

If you consider just for a second that it is possible for another definition than yours to be true…

-James’

LH: Have you noticed how he just avoids direct questions?

I do not believe in God(s).

This is not the same as I believe in the non existance of God(s).

For the second I have to have a positive view point on a matter, have to define a set of beliefs..  That is the closest not believing in God will ever come to being a religeon. And its not that. It’s a belief.  A belief is NOT a religion.

A Belief is not a religion according to any definition I have found thus far…  but a belief regarding the supernatural/Divine, or God specifically, is by many definitions.

Oh well, I have to go now and it is frusterating because I know that you guys are gonna really have alot of fun with me after I’m gone.  I just hope someone with a rational mind comes across this and views it.  I would go on for hours, but I have to leave right now.

Bye’

To the few here who payed attention and gave logical answers, thank you.  To the rest of you,

I’ll pray for you

-James’

You thought I was kidding about changing your name, I wasn’t. Welcome to SEB TheGreatBigDumbFuck.

I’m out of time to bother with your idiocy any further. You’re wrong and you will continue to be wrong. I have dinner to eat and a conference on my daughter’s senior year to attend, both of which are way more important than the time I’m wasting debating a retarded church monkey.

Oh, Jmaes, just sod off, will ya? You’re not interested in learning anything or debating anything, you just want to twist semantics until somebody agrees with your meaningless position. You’re a wanker and you’re not worth the effort.

Fuck you and everybody that acts like you.

Yes, James, pray for hours and hours and hours.  Spend lots of time praying for us.  Too busy praying to type!

Or, go find yourself some higher quality atheists.