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The Oxford dictionary defines religion as having "the belief or worship of a God or gods" and it also defines religion as "a particular system of faith and worship"

It defines atheism as a "lack of belief in God or gods."

So when we beg the question whether atheism can be looked upon as a religion, it can actually be seen as a contradiction in terms, because I would argue that it is not a religion at all. In fact, it is a straightforward secular denial of all that supports theological doctrine. To ever call it a religion doesn't make sense at all.

Even to assert that atheism is an anti-religious belief cannot be supported because to allow this statement means that in the very act of denial of anything theological implies that you are inviting the idea that there IS something to deny in the first place, and that in turn invites argument.

The atheist does not to that. He simply has no spiritual beliefs at all, and is completely worldly. He would not even invite debate to support his belief that there is no God, because he would see no point in arguing the subject.

Religion is a belief. It is a personal acceptance of something in your life that although you have no concrete evidence why you should believe in the first place, something deep inside you knows it to be true.

Does the atheist stop and think, and wonder why he doesn't believe? Does he question why others believe? Of course he does not. He does not have to look deep within his heart and know that he has no belief, why should he bother to even question it?

He does not stop to wonder or be concerned whether the question of God's existence holds any relevance, because he did not believe in a spiritual being in the first place. He is not even denying that God or gods exist because he merely lacks belief.

Let us just say for arguments sake, that I have three people in front of me and I am wearing the vestments of a nun and on my finger glitters the gold band that proclaims me to be "wedded" to Christ.

The believer would see a pious woman. He would share with me the love that we hold for God. He would respect me as a religious figure and agree that I have firm beliefs, which he would not think to question.

The agnostic is a person who neither believes, nor disbelieves in the existence of God. He would see a nun dressed in the garb of her religious order. He would respect me as a person and allow the fact that I hold a certain religious bearing. Although he does not necessarily believe that God exists, he would understand that I hold a firm conviction in the existence of the Almighty.

The atheist would see a lady dressed in black and white clothing, with a cross around her neck and a yellow band on her finger.

Therefore a religion can be seen as being a positive, spiritual conviction and an experience that binds one person to another by shared belief. Atheism is termed as being an utter lack of belief and the only thing another atheist would share is common ground. A true contradiction in terms, wouldn't you agree?

Learn more about this author, Jane Allyson.
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