quote:

The decision highlights the unusual position of the Humanist community, which has tried for years to obtain the same legal rights as more traditional religious groups while simultaneously rebuking the existence of a god or gods. But while some Humanists may chafe at being called a “religion,” others feel that the larger pursuit of equal rights trumps legal classifications.

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ORIGINAL: PeonForHer

Insane that it has to be done, but understandable. I dare say it probably doesn't matter to a lot of atheists that a few nutcases might actually believe their atheism to be a 'religion', anyway.

See how ignorant you all look.

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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Atheism as a religion is silly, but I'm down with the tax equity point.

After all, the fundamentalists keep insisting it's a religion.

Atheism is Religion according to the 1961 Torcaso v. Watkins case that was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court



What happens at an atheist church?


An "atheist church" in North London is proving a big hit with non-believers. Does it feel a bit like a new religion?


Launched last month, as a gathering for non-believers, it is, in the words of master of ceremonies Sanderson Jones, "part foot-stomping show, part atheist church, all celebration of life".


Instead of hymns, the non-faithful get to their feet to sing along to Stevie Wonder and Queen songs.


Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss antimatter


There is a reading from Alice in Wonderland and a power-point presentation from a particle physicist, Dr Harry Cliff, who explains the origins of antimatter theory.


It feels like a stand-up comedy show. Jones and co-founder Pippa Evans trade banter and whip the crowd up like the veterans of the stand-up circuit that they are.

The theme of the morning is "wonder" - a reaction, explains Jones, to criticism that atheists lack a sense of it.

So we bow our heads for two minutes of contemplation about the miracle of life and,

and the brain shuts down!




in his closing sermon, Jones speaks about how the death of his mother influenced his own spiritual journey and determination to get the most out of every second, aware that life is all too brief and nothing comes after it.



The audience - overwhelmingly young, white and middle class - appear excited to be part of something new and speak of the void they felt on a Sunday morning when they decided to abandon their Christian faith.

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ORIGINAL: Real0ne





atheism IS a religion

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ORIGINAL: ThatDizzyChick

Yeah well, sorry, but "secular humanism" and "atheism" are not synonyms, so fuck you and your bullshit OP.