Atheism is a Religion

Well constructed essay mr. Schoof, and my computer seemed to malfunction and I was unable to post the links, thank god for men like you who did it for me. Note to all that I am typing off an iPad so my structure may not be one hundred percent. first off, when I stated my definitions, I was simply laying the foundation for this debate, not trying to prove a point. the definitions were found in Dictionaries so I am just getting that out there. You failed to address a couple of my points such as the seven dimensions of religion and how atheism fulfills them, my points on politics, and also my point about evolution, I assume these points are conceded. Because of this, I feel as if I should discontinue the debate, but since I am a nice guy I will continue. I am unable to copy paste your arguments, so I will let you know what I am addressing as i argue against your points. First off, I would like to make clear that I can just as well rationalize my belief in God then you can rationalize your belief that he does not exist. Give me something more rational for the beginning of the universe then god said let there be light and there was, and maybe I will begin to entertain . your argument, but until you can answer these questions, then you must have faith to be an atheist. Faith is a characteristic of religion. (actually didn't you tell me that you were vibrating to deism because the physics breaks down at this level? ) Your example of the sun is non-sequtir, considering the con tray to such a thing is made obvious, whereas the contrary to something as abstract as faith is not. my believe in Christianity also stems from evidence and observation, as the renowned c. s. Lewis once said: "I believe in christianity as i believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else". you describing what You believe does not make atheism a religion seems to be what I go through everyday as a christian. So if you are inclined to believe the negative solely on the basis of evidence that does not explain all, in fact evidence that does not have anything more convincing then the contrary, then aren't you simply having faith in something you don't know to be true? I find you to be in a whirl of contradictions. The example of the unicorn is degrading and mocking to my christian faith in which i feel strongly about, and I view god as something far greater then you could ever conceive, so stumping him down to some imaginary figure is unnecessary and unethical for this debate, I expect an apology. I would be more than willing tom debate you again, and hereby i announce my acceptance to your challenge on the existence of God, because as a great scholar whose name escapes me at this moment once said! " no one talks as constantly about god as those who insist he does not exist". But any ways thank you for the challenge, I look forward to that. As far as religion being rituals and such, I would ask you to recheck my definition and look for the words often and usually. Enough said on that I personally do not believe foot ball is a religion, but many others such as the great Alejandro Ziedas may. Also, ritual observance, as I said earlier is not a must for religion. You need to pay closer attention to detail. Your quote expresses the lack of, not the belief that something is not. The quote is arguing for 0 , whereas atheism is arguing for -. Nit collecting stamps and bald are not negatives, whereas atheism is.