If atheism is a religion, then what definition of 'religion' means both belief and no

Some people are fond of calling atheism a religion, but in that case what is the definition of 'religion' by which a belief in the existence of a deity, and the absence of such a belief, can both be called 'religion'?

Non-belief is a belief. It's the belief that nothing is out there.

As for calling it a religion, I think that's going a bit far.

religion is a belief. believing that god doesn't exist IS a belief.

it is just a belief in it's self. but just as fanatical as the rest of the crazies.

I have a belief that the earth orbits the sun, but it is not a religion. A belief in something it not like a religion. Atheism is a belief that there is no god or spiritual force.

Atheism and religion are different things.

The people who define atheism as a religion obviously do not have dictionaries or are too lazy to look up "atheism" in one.

The definition of "religion" is a belief of a higher being, a belief in a supreme being or higher power. Since atheism is a belief that none of these exist, it can not be called a "religion". Personally, I believe that if there really wasn't a GOD, then atheism would not exist, right? Think about it.

Actually atheism is more a disbelief in the existence of deity or the doctrine that there is no deity. Basically another way of saying atheist. So by default they are actually grouping themselves together by their common belief, which is the basis of all religions. Think this ones tough, try explaining to 50 or so people all claiming Anarchy. Now that's just ignorance!

Having no belief in god is not the same as be living there is not a god.

Most theist get confused by that statement.

Is atheism a religion...I thought that's what your were if you didn't believe in religion.

Atheism and theism can both be thought of as "Religion," if we define religion as,

"hewing to a universal cosmological supposition that can neither be pr oven nor disprove by reason or empiricism, and which therefore must ultimately be accepted as an article of faith."

Hope this helps. (Great question, by the way).

Athiesm is a "religion" only if Bald is a Haircolor.
The whole debate, the suggestion that Athiesm(and in another issue Evolution) is a "religion" comes from religious people attempting to discredit others.

If you define religiosity as the following of a doctrine, then yes, there are many atheists who do that. Unfortunately, I've never seen that definition in a dictionary, so it doesn't really count.

The US Supreme Court defines religion as a persons guiding principles. It is therefore impossible to have no religion.

Who calls atheism a religion? I wouldn't even capitalize it. To me, atheism is just a way of expressing that you don't believe in supernatural entities or events.

atheism is by definition not a religion. it has no ceremonies, no rituals. it believes in nothing. atheists share nothing in common to be atheism except for a non belief in god. is was never and never will be a religion.