Interesting introduction, Willowtree, and the actual rights being eroded section should be even more interesting. Two things though:
quote:
Atheism is a religion, it is against theism.
Atheism is not a religion. Oh this might be fun and controversial to say, and it really gets the atheist’s blood boiling, but I am afraid it just isn’t the truth.
Religion is defined as (taken from Dictionary.com)
1)
a.
Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. Well, obviously since atheists do not believe in a supernatural power, this definition doesn’t apply.
b.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. There are no atheist churches and no one to worship anyway, so this definition doesn’t work. Besides which, disbelief in God means there is no belief at all.
2)
The life or condition of a person in a religious order. I hate it when people use a word in a definition of a word. Anyway, there are no atheist monks or priests, so no atheist orders.
3)
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. No spirituality in atheism, thus no spiritual leaders.
4)
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. Ah HA! Here it is, here is the definition that makes zealous atheism a religion. Unfortunately, it also makes covering one‘s mouth during a sneeze a religion.
Basically, come up with a vague enough definition of religion that would cheapen all religions, and then you have a definition that atheism fits into.
quote:
The United States is the only country in the history of the world to have a system where the Rulers and the ruled must bow to the contents of a piece of paper instead of a capricious king/monarchy.
Just a historical tidbit, you make it sound like this country was the first to have a document to which even the government was bound. Read about the Magna Carta.
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