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Atheism is a religion in the same sense that bald is a hair color: it's what takes up the space when the real thing is gone, but it's clearly a different sort of animal.

If you asked me, "what religion are you?" I would indeed answer "atheist" (or maybe "secular humanist atheist"); but so would a bald person answer "I'm bald" when asked the color of his hair.

What's the difference between atheism and religion? A lot of things, things both denotative and connotative.

Denotatively:
1. Atheists by definition do not believe in a supreme being or any supernatural entities, which according to most definitions disqualifies us in itself.
2. Atheists do not have a cohesive sect, nor a set of ritual practices.

Connotatively:
3. Atheists are not dogmatic; i.e., we openly declare (and I think most of us are honest about it) that we would willingly change our minds if presented with enough evidence, something I have never heard anyone of any religion say ever.
4. "Religion" usually implies churches, priests, an organization; atheists have none of these.

What we do share with religion is beliefs about the ultimate truths of the universe; but then again, so do agnostics and deists and everyone else. There's not a single person over the age of 4 who doesn't have beliefs about the ultimate truths of the universe, so calling *that* "religion" neuters the term.

Why do people want to call atheism a religion? Because that would let them say, "Ha ha, you're just as religious as we are, so shut up and leave us alone." But it's simply not true: atheism aligns itself with science, with evolutionary theory, with rationality and empiricism, and religion aligns itself with faith, dogma, and tradition. Show an atheist evidence that he is wrong and he will think for a moment, and then nod in assent that he is convinced; show a theist the same thing, and he will grow angry and offended that you would disrespect his faith.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Julius.
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