If atheism is not a religion...

[sith123]

Why does it get involved in religious threads? i was prompted to ask this by something naomi said. If anyone wants the link i can give it.

[joko]

thats like saying people who dont cook cannot comment on cookery questions, or join in conversations on food, or people who dont like painting cannot comment on art questions and cannot have an opinion etc

atheism by its very meaning revolves around religion, so of course it factors in discussions - without religion there would be no such thing as atheism.

atheism may be a 'group' of sorts, in that millions of people agree with each other, but that doesnt make it a religion....

atheist do not 'follow' anything... it is the opposite really...largely indifference.

it is not so much religion in itself that seems to spark anger and debate, but the words spouted by the people that claim to be following that religion - that is the problem... the attitude of the overzealous religionists tends to wind people up

[keyplus90]

////atheist do not 'follow' anything... it is the opposite really...largely indifference.////

I never had any doubt about that either.

[jomifl]

Keyplus, your certainty astounds me, do you not have any doubts? not just a little one?

[keyplus90]

Jomifl - ////Keyplus, you probably think you are being clever but really you are just being foolish.///

When people do not have a suitable answer to the questions put to them then they call others foolish, deluded etc. A very well-known tactics used usually by people with lesser knowledge.

[jomifl]

lesser than certainty?

[sith123]

http://www.theanswerb...uestion1125294-3.html

7:24 wednesday 18th april 2012. that was when naomi mentioned it. She said that i knew why they get involved when in truth, no argument or joke intended i do not. So this thread is not for argument sake although im sure it will probably turn into one ;)

[sith123]

just to clarify because looking back the title may seem offensive. Im not saying they shouldnt, im just asking why.

[chakka35]

Sorry, in my last, for 'theism' read 'atheism'.

[jomifl]

Sith, absolutely nothing offensive avout the title. Have you had an answer that makes sense to you?

[sith123]

ive had a numerous amount of answers but correct me if im wrong, the overall one seems to be that as it affects part of their life and the world than they, of course, have a say in the matter (freedom of speech)

[naomi24]

Chakka, I did wonder. ;o)

Sith, I wouldn’t presume to speak for others, but since my post provoked your question, at the risk of repeating myself for the umpteenth time, I’ll tell you why I get involved in religious threads – although I’m sure if you’d taken the trouble to read the many of them, your question would have been unnecessary.

It’s because I care about the world and the people I share it with. I care that families are kept poor and disease is spread and babies are born diseased because religion forbids the use of condoms; I care that women are subjugated and abused; I care that children have their young minds filled with magic and superstition and are taught grossly inaccurate science as fact; I care that grown men believe the stars were made as weapons against demons, and that 42 days after conception an angel forms a foetus in the womb and Allah then decides upon its gender; I care that people are tormented by unnecessary guilt for perceived ‘sins’; I care that people are denied medical treatment; I care that children become the brides of old men; I care that people who claim to be compassionate are somehow content with the thought that those who believe differently to themselves will be punished horrendously for eternity – and I care that people are making this world a living hell by blowing each other to smithereens in the name of religion and its unseen, unproven, vindictive god. Quite simply, I care.

I hope that answers your question.

[RATTER15]

^^ Ditto

[jomifl]

keyplus,earlier you said this
/When people do not have a suitable answer to the questions put to them then they call others foolish, deluded etc. A very well-known tactics used usually by people with lesser knowledge. /
You did not ask a question, feel free to do so.

[sith123]

//It’s because I care about the world and the people I share it with. I care that families are kept poor and disease is spread and babies are born diseased because religion forbids the use of condoms;//

Naomi, in islam condoms are not forbiden as long as you are married and you both agree to it:http://www.muslim.mu/index.php/94/is-using
-a-condom-haram-in-islam

[sith123]

http://answers.yahoo....20100109175050AAkB7Zg

[sith123]

://www.muslim.mu/index.php/94/is-using
-a-condom-haram-in-islam

[jomifl]

Sith, Naomi's reference to condoms was an example of how religious dogma affects peoples lives, sometimes in a not very beneficial way. It was not a criticism of islam so you don't have to defend islam in relation to condoms.

[naomi24]

Jom, actually I was thinking of the Catholic church when I wrote that, but since Sith doesn’t appear to think beyond Islam, Islam will do.

Sith, Yes, Islam does allow the use of condoms but only in certain circumstances.

//any sort of permanent birth control that is not for medical reasons is forbidden.//

From here:
http://islamiclearnin.../islam-birth-control/

So if a couple simply don’t want children, and use birth control to prevent pregnancy, they are breaking the rules.

Oh, and here’s another reason I get involved in these threads. 52,000 people in Jakarta have bought tickets to see Lady Gaga, but the religious say they can’t – so they can’t.

http://www.thisislond...c-groups-7754113.html

[jomifl]

Naomi, I naturally assumed that the condom reference related to ths catholic church as it's rulings on condoms have done so much more harm than any other religions views on their use.

[jomifl]

Keyplus, you have proven my point, by trying a smart@rse debating trick you have demonstrated simultaneously that you are not interested in the truth and that you cannot accept that your reasoning is flawed. I'm still waiting for the question for which I don't have a 'suitable answer'.