Reply #49: Am I wrong on this? [View All]

[Snoggera]

Atheism is a conclusion regarding life based upon knowledge gleaned from various scientific sources, and therefore can not be considered a religion. It is not a belief, it is a conclusion reached after following a logical path based upon current knowledge. It is not a belief system, because it relies upon current "facts" that can be shown to be "true."

Religion is based upon faith, because none of the beliefs may be based upon actual knowledge, but need to be accepted simply (and humbly) in order to remain a member supporting that particular belief. All religious groups are historically tribal-based, and therefore retain a need to separate from other groups; by force if need be. It is a belief system because it relies upon belief in the words of others without an ability to verify whether or not these words are true, and actually maintains the belief in the face of evidence that the words are, in fact "untrue."