Why do we only recognize religions as sacred?

And vice versa. In the political world, atheists are often denied any sort of protection based on their religious beliefs, on the grounds that they have none.

But isn't the belief in natural laws' consistency and the belief that things have become what they are without any divine influence just as valid and potent a belief as any religious doctrine?

The way I see it, I can be sure that I am here, thinking, typing, posting, living, existing. I have a conscious mind, and I am the result of my parents fucking and conceiving me, and I and they and everyone else are all products of evolution or some other natural, worldly process.

So does my firm conviction that this non-supernatural order governs everything not require as much faith as, if not more than, any mainstream supernatural religion? The odds against my existence and experiences and the world as it is seem almost impossible. The explanations provided by science seem sound, but the fact that the results are as they are seems inconceivably improbable. Yet I have faith that these explanations are the best we have.

Now don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating "Scientism" as it has been called. I do not think humans' explanations for everything are complete or even sufficient, or necessarily correct. I do believe, though, that natural truths govern the world and are what brought me to where I am today. I am still an atheist to the world, but I think this belief is valid and should be respected.

I also have some political or secular motivations stemming from this belief. For example, I think I ought to be able to ingest what I want, be it lsd or cyanide, and I ought to be allowed to do as I please so long as I don't bother or harm others. But Jews can wear their yarmulkes, the Native American Church has their peyote, and other religions get their own special treatment.

On what grounds can the powers that be deny atheists their own requested freedoms while claiming to respect all beliefs? Of course, they only respect religious beliefs specifically, and that's their defense against the atheists' challenge, but I hope you can all see, and probably have thought of in the past, my argument against the justification behind this and the fairness of this stance.

 

very well put

 

I think about this sometimes as well. Out of every possible label, Atheists are the lowest of the low. Studies show that Americans would rather vote for a homosexual than an Atheist. Religion is given so much leeway with everything. There are churches that are allowed to use hallucinogens to give them religious "experiences". For what other motive could someone have gotten by with that? Probably nothing other than medicinal purposes. Religion has this social barrier around it so that you aren't supposed to point out its mistakes, or be deemed some kind of horrible person. If you're in a conversation with someone you don't know, they start talking about religion, and you say that you don't believe in a God because you think its made up, you will most likely receive a horrified, disgusted look from them, ending the conversation. Even if you were talking to an extreme Democrat, and you started slandering their party rather horrendously, you two could still end up being friends. Nothing is as "respect this or be socially isolated" as religion. I would write more but I'm tired and cranky. Don't hate.

 

Religion is such a touchy subject at all times, athiest are frowned upon more and more each day. And whenever someone says I am an athiest, they are looked at crazy. Sometimes you will recieve the Simple Why? Which can not be answered, because they wouldn't listen anyway because we are heathens in there eyes. Other times I just feel glad when they shut up. Everday I see someone using there religion as a scapegoat, even when at school jews can wear their yarmulkes and muslims may wear headraps. Although I may not wear a simple hat to cover my head. I am an athiest in a world full of christians... Sad to say i fear for my mind everday.

 

Im a christian and I can understand where you're coming from. It isnt fair to anyone that they be judged by their religion because its the most faulty foothold to depend on. Because no one really knows the truth and I think well all agree that religion doesnt make you a better person.

 

Religion is a highly debated topic.
It seems if you are say "Christian" you don't believe any thing say the Atheists do and vis versa.
If your Catholic beliefs then your supposed to hate Jews, if your Jewish your supposed to hate Catholics beliefs.
This is why i stay out of religious beliefs, i am Catholic but choose not to worship the bible.

 

I think its stereotypes like that that cause people to be so closeminded. You cant fairly hate a group of people when you dont know the whole group. You can disagree with their beliefs but to go as far as to hate a whole group of people just because they believe differently is bullshit plain and simple.

 

That wasnt the point of this thread... Everyone who is religious or believe in a higher being gets off and gets extra stuff for no reason... They get away with things atheist would never get to.

 

Religion is belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. It can also be defined as a set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

The very base of ALL religions, is spiritual, it is faith. Something you believe in, but you cannot touch nor see.

You bring up Jewish traditions, or other traditions of their nature. You are looking at it in a secular view, and a very slanted one at that. You take it people wear them because they think they look cool, or because simply, they can. That is not the matter.

Certain religions have certain beliefs, that wearing certain things, are appropriate for everyday life. They wear it to show their devotion or beliefs in their religion or gods. Not to look cool, or because it's comfortable.

Atheists deem to say there is NO God, and there isn't even the slightest possibility of there being a God. In that case, atheist IS NOT a religion, because you don't have a single belief or feeling that is based on spirituality, only worldly.

Like I explained above, your "hat" explain, was at best, sad. That is honestly the worst explanation I've ever seen in a discussion of these likes.

To discuss your other part, I would like to say, religion does not give people free things, or ways to get off of things. It is how our world views it, and most importantly, how you view religion that makes it this way. It is one's opinion, or reaction to it, not necessarily how it was meant to be viewed.

 

Good going.

You worship a book.

A book is, technically, an idol.

You aren't allowed to worship idols ^_^

 

I made a typing error.
I don't worship the bible or believe its story's are true but my religion think i should.
I'm a "Non-Practicing" Catholic.

 

Catholics don't worship the bible, they believe that it is a given to from messengers of god to help guide us. Althoguh some christians do believe that the god or the higher being resides in the words in it...

 

this is going so far off topic. I thought this was about the advantages religious people get. i would like for someone to elucidate because im not sure what types of advantages we are talking about here aside from drugs.

 

For example, Religious private schools get government more funding, Also in public schools they can wear their scarves, head raps, and yarmulkes... they get alot of stuff. Also they have more civil rights.

 

Please elucidate.. I would like to know what civil rights I have that an atheist doesnt. im not denying it, I just feel like Im unaware of it. And Im religous and if I wore a hat in class, theyd make me leave.

 

If you told your teacher that your not suppose to show your head in public, because of your religion, she can't ask why, she can't say nothing, and the school might have a lawsuit on their hands.

 

Now obviously, that post I have quoted shows you have no idea what you are talking about.

First off, Private Schools get ZERO government funding. Public schools get ONE HUNDRED percent, government funding.

Second, just because someone has a religion doesn't give them any more civil rights than one who does not, please show me examples where Christians or other people who believe in other religions get more civil rights, and maybe I'll give you that one.

Thirdly, they get A LOT of stuff in public schools? Wrong, every day the government is being forced to limit down their freedoms do to whining parents and people who think it's unfair that one person wears something that shows their faith. It's quite pathetic of these people to actually make it as big of a deal as it has become, but in today's world, what isn't pathetic.

 

I come from the UK and a small secluded part of it, were I live no one really cares about religion, and I only know about 5 people who strongly believe in their religion, and show it, one of which is one of my best friends, so I have no problem with religion. I can see where you are coming from with this, as from what I know (not a lot) America is a very Christian place.

 

Approximately 86% of the United States is Christian, whether or not they are practicing Christians, I do not know, but the point still remains. How is it, the other 14% of the United States, can get so much turned in their favor?

They say somethings offend them, so the government rules against it, yet, when I am not allowed to show my beliefs in my religion, or not even be able to read a bible or say a silent prayer in school, WHICH IS AFFECTING NO ONE ELSE, I GET OFFENDED!

How is it 14% of the US can complain, and offend the 86%, yet when the other 86% complain, we get nothing?

 

-'Sacred', by definition, concerns the divine. Atheism concerns the lack of divinity.
-This belief does not require as much faith as mainstream religions. Since you quite apparently described the basis for your claimed logical reasoning (using terms such as improbable). You use only the things you know to make your conclusions, and since there is so much you don't know, that's not wise.
-If it does in fact require faith, then shouldn't someone be posting that "faith is a cop-out" quote?
-How is Atheism not respected? I'm still very confused...