Atheism is a religion.

Thank you for your response. I will begin by defending my stance that atheism cannot fit into the definitions of "Religion". 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Atheism cannot fit into this definition. Atheism does not deal with the cause nature or purpose of the universe at all. It merely just claims that a God does not exist. Atheism itself (in it's basic form) holds no theories as to how the universe came about or why we are here, therefore it does not deal with a "cause", "nature" or "purpose". Already it is impossible for Atheism to fit into this definition however I will continue to rebut. Granted the words "especially", "usually" and "often" are used in this definition however as the first part of the definition is there as well; "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe", then that rules out the possibility of Atheism being able to fit into this definition. It does not use words such as "especially" or "often"when explaining this part of the definition. Therefore by definition, a religion MUST be "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe". As I have said previously, atheism does not deal with the cause, nature AND purpose of the universe. It merely claims that a God does not exist. This rules out atheism for being able to fit into this definition of religion. 2. "a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. " Again Pro, Atheism cannot fit into this definition of religion as Atheism holds absolutely no "practices". "Practices" is the key word here. Yes Atheism holds a set of beliefs (no belief) however there are no practices or rules etc. to follow in Atheism. It is all independent. The definition states a "set of beliefs AND practices". Which means that practices must be involved for it to be a religion. Since Atheism follows no practices it cannot fit into this definition. 3. "the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. " Again here, like number 2, the word "practices" rules out Atheism being able to fit here. It's interesting that you claim that you have showed that "a religion does not have to necessarily adhere to any particular practices in order to be considered a religion. " However this statement is flawed. As you are referring to the examples you have given I will start with Theravada Buddhism. This is a quote from your own source which completely contradicts your recent statement. It says: "Theravada means "The Way of the Elders" in Pali, reflecting the Theravadins' belief that they most closely follow the original beliefs and practices of the Buddha and the early monastic Elders. " (. http://www.religionfacts.com...) The words "BELIEFS" and "PRACTICES" here really strike out. You claimed that this religion has no such thing yet can still be called a religion but your own source says otherwise. Furthermore I can pick out examples from the source where it shows such beliefs and practices. Example 1: "The purpose of life for Theravadins is to become an arhat, a perfected saint who has acheived nirvana and will not be reborn again". This certainly sounds like a practice to me. Example 2: "There are four stages to becoming an arhat: (. http://www.religionfacts.com...) Bringing this all back to the main point, you claim that Atheism must be a religion because Theravada Buddhism is a religion and it like atheism holds no set of practices etc. However I have shown from your own source that you have contradicted yourself and it does indeed hold practices and that is why it must be a religion. Atheism, on the contrary holds no practices and that is a key reason why it cannot be a religion, as the definitions also state. Lastly, 4. "something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice. " You say, "I agree with Con when he says that Atheism does not follow this definition. But, I explained in the first definition how a religion does not have to necessarily adhere to a moral code in order to be considered a religion - so this definition is also not accurate. " Well Pro, on the contrary I have just discounted your notion that a religion does not have to follow "a point or matter of ethics or conscience". This notion is certainly not the case for your used example of Theravada Buddhism. You claim to have invented your own definition of religion as being "A common set of beliefs that gives answers about the nature of the universe". Two things: 1. You cannot simply invent a definition to suit your argument. 2. Even with the imaginary definition you have given you have still made it impossible for Atheism to fit into it. Atheism does NOT give answers about the nature of the universe. It merely discounts religious theories. Theravada Buddhism I have already thoroughly discussed the problems with you trying to compare atheism with Theravada Buddhism. Simply, T. B contains a set of practices, rituals etc. while atheism does no such thing. Again that is what separates the definitions of religion from the definitions of Atheism. Religious Tendencies of Atheists My opponent has failed to give examples of atheistic sects that adhere to religious practices however if there was examples, then this would not enhance my opponents argument at all. A few individual sects cannot count for or alter the whole definition/ idea/notion of "Atheism". It is like saying that a few Christian priests are pedophiles therefore Christianity is a pedophiliac religion. It is a ridiculous notion. All in all I think a realistic conclusion can be drawn that Atheism is not and cannot possibly be a religion. Finally, I would like to give some definitions of well-known religions. Christianity: 1. the RELIGION derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies 2. conformity to the Christian RELIGION 3. the RELIGION that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ (. http://www.merriam-webster.com...) Islam: 1. A monotheistic RELIGION characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God. 2. the RELIGION of the Muslims, as set forth in the Koran, that teaches that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is His prophet. (. http://www.thefreedictionary.com...) Buddhism: 1. a religion of eastern and central Asia that is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha (. http://www.merriam-webster.com...) And now something you wouldn't typically associate religion with Scientology: the doctrines and beliefs of a RELIGIOUS movement founded in the mid-20th century by L. Ron Hubbard (. http://www.thefreedictionary.com...) Notice I have cap locked the word "religion". See whether it's predominant religions or unusual religions the definition still contains the word "religion" in it. But no where is the word religion used to define Atheism. It is simply not a religion, just a group of people that claim God does not exist. Absolutely no practices, rituals etc. involved. There is a quote that often sticks with me "Calling Atheism a religion is like calling bald a hair color. " - Don Hirschberg. Thus, I rest my case.