[QUOTE="gameguy6700"] [QUOTE="jts31689"]A religion is "a social institution that includes a set of common beliefs and practices generally helnd by a group of people often codified as rayer, ritual and religious law."
I love that quote too, and how atheism fits that definition as well.LJS9502_basic
Save for the fact that atheism isn't an institution, nor is there a set of common practices or beliefs that could be ****fied as ritual, prayer, or religious law. Hell, the only common belief in atheism is that deities do not exist. Its still possible for a person to be spiritual and be an atheist. Atheism is a doctrine, not a religion.
It's an instititution now. Not when it started but it is now. It's shared beliefs....a shared way of looking at the world. And if you've spent any time in OT you'd see a shared idealogy in the religion threads. No way it's individual any more. Religion doesn't need a diety to be a religiion.;)
Its not an institution because the only common belief is that there is no god(s). That's it. There are atheists who still believe in an afterlife, there are atheists who believe in spirits, and there are hardcore atheists who say that all paranormal beliefs are false. That's hardly uniformity. Furthermore atheism is completely descentralized. There's no central authority, writings, laws, rules, or anything to govern atheists. Its a doctrine, not a religion. To make this clear:
Doctrine (n):
- A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
- A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.
- A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.
- Archaic. Something taught; a teaching.
Atheism (n):
- Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
- The doctrine that there is no God or gods.
Religion (n):
- Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
- A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
- The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
- A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
- A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
Institution (n):
- The act of instituting.
- A custom, practice, relationship, or behavioral pattern of importance in the life of a community or society
- Informal. One long associated with a specified place, position, or function.
- An established organization or foundation, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or culture.
- The building or buildings housing such an organization.
- A place for the care of persons who are destitute, disabled, or mentally ill.
So let's put that all together (ignoring the fact that the word "doctrine" is in the definition of atheism since that makes things too easy):
Does atheism fit the definition of institution? No. Atheism is not a custom, it is not a practice, it certainly isn't a relationship, it isn't a behavioral pattern, and assuming it was it still wouldn't meet the requirement of importance in the life of a community or society (since there is no community of atheists). Atheism also isn't an organization or foundation.
Atheism does, however, fit the defintion of a doctrine.
Furthermore, if we used your definition of institution/religion then McDonald's, the US government, and Star Wars are religions.
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