Atheism Is A Religion
Joe Kozuh
From: Joe Kozuh
To: Positive Atheism <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Date: Saturday, February 20, 1999 7:07 PM
Subject: Your Religion Is More Important than ...
whether or not you believe in "God" !!!
What is your definition of RELIGION ??? I think everyone has a RELIGION, so you can't just say "NO to Religion" !!!
Religion = that set of values and beliefs by which a person gives the MEANING to his/her life.
Humanism and Educationism and Hedonism and Islam are all Religions. A person's Religion gives us critical info about that person. However, the fact that a person believes or does not believe in God tells us very little about the person.
Atheism is a Religion but there are "Conservative Atheists" like Barry Goldwater and "Liberal Atheists" like Carl Sagan and there are "Totalitarian Atheists" like Lenin and Stalin.
I am a Libertarian so I HATE all totalitarians, be they Christian like Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy or Atheists like Fidel Castro !!!
From: "Cliff Walker" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: Joe Kozuh
Subject: Re: Your Religion Is More Important than ...
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 22:37:22 -0800
Religion = that set of values and beliefs by which a person gives the MEANING to his/her life.
If you are going to make up your own definitions for words, then we cannot have a discussion. I suggest you consult your nearest Mirriam-Webster's and then make your case that I am religious. I am not religious in any of the traditional meanings of the word.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
From: Joe Kozuh
To: "Cliff Walker" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Date: Sunday, February 21, 1999 2:20 PM
Subject: Re: Your Religion Is More Important than ...
My definition comes from the 1992 Encyclopedia Americana that went on to say that any list of 20th Century Religions has to include Communism because many Communists were willing to die to spread their beliefs. Also, the US Supreme Court declared HUMANISM to be a Religion; do you want me to give you more info on this court decision ??????
It would appear that YOU are the one operating with a "quick and dirty definition of Religion" !!!
From: "Cliff Walker" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: Joe Kozuh
Subject: Re: Your Religion Is More Important than ...
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 19:40:26 -0800
Humanism is a religion: the Humanists wanted it that way. Otherwise I would be a Humanist rather than just an atheist who is trying to develop a proactive angle for atheism. Atheism is the lack of religion, and the Humanists have decided to apply the two -- atheism and religion -- into a workable philosophy.
I would disagree with calling Communism a religion, because it fits very nicely into the category of political philoshopies. We don't need to create more confusion on the issue by taking liberties with the meanings of words.
Definition 3 for "religious" in Mirriam Webster's describes "scruprlously or concientiously faithful" -- but to apply this to atheism would be a bit too ironic, and would come off as sounding hostile. I can see someone saying "He attends the Cubs' games religiously" but it would be cruel to say this about someone engaging in atheistic activities.
It sounds like your EA article may have been written by a theist who
has a bone to pick.
It would appear that YOU are the one operating with a "quick and dirty definition of Religion" !!!
Howso?
I use the industry standard: Mirriam Webster's Tenth Collegiate. And, like all reference books, I understand that its articles were written by humans and ratified by committees. When seeking the definition for a specialized word, such as "atheism," I take into consideration the historical viewpoints of those involved: in this case, the atheists.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
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