Atheism is something unique.

[Cuivienen]

Not what it means.

Literally, that is the meaning of the word "pantheism", although the term is usually applied to Roman (and earlier Greek) belief in an ever-growing number of undiscovered gods that simply inserted new gods into the pantheon.

 

[innonimatu]

Speaking of similar religions, it's worth comparing early christianity with mithraism.

Most religions share similar myths, and all, without exception, try to address the foremost "spiritual" preoccupation of mankind since prehistoric times: the fear of death. Edgar Morin's earliest book on the subject is quite interesting.

 

[LucyDuke]

Literally, that is the meaning of the word "pantheism", although the term is usually applied to Roman (and earlier Greek) belief in an ever-growing number of undiscovered gods that simply inserted new gods into the pantheon.

No, it's not "belief in all religions". The word's roots are all and god, not all and religion. (It's not belief in all gods, either.) Ten seconds on Google will tell you what it is. Roman and Greek beliefs weren't Pantheistic, either - they were polytheistic. Very different.

 

[colontos]

This thread is a good reminder that both religious folks and atheists can be freaking annoying.

Keep your religious beliefs (or lack of) for yourself. It's just not interesting to others.

It's obviously interesting to the people posting in this thread.

Hey, know what I do when a thread doesn't interest me? I don't post in it.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Speaking of similar religions, it's worth comparing early christianity with mithraism.

Ask Plotinus about that some time. He is an atheist theologian (and is thus likely to know, without having any sort of bias) and he says the connection is overrated. of course, even if they are similar it does not prove or disprove either one.

 

[Harbringer]

I just say Im an agnostic so people will just leave me alone when I say atheism, man that got anooying, they would immediatly flash the "no, your not an atheist, you cant prove god doesn't exist so your an agnostic" as if it actually changed anything. But heres my stance, if we cannot define or measure or witness anything a god has or hasnt done, then its no different than if he didnt exist at all, meaning theres no difference if he did or didnt exist, and I call it a day.

 

[ArmorPierce]

Christianity: Belief that Jesus is the son of God
Islam: Belief that Mohammed is God's formost prophet
Buddhism: Belief in the four noble truths.

Your description on Islam is wrong. They believe that he is the last prophet, not that he is the most important.

 

[ArmorPierce]

Islam has the concept that if you did something bad and didn't get caught, you shouldn't tell anyone and try to be sure nobody finds out. No other religion has this concept, of those that I know. I could name a whole lot more if you find another that does.

Interesting, I've never heard of this and I doubt that it's true. Can you show me where it says that?

 

[Harbringer]

Well, wait, scientology is pretty unique rite? I mean, sure, people have been stoned before but its never been a religion rite?

 

[GenMarshall]

Well, wait, scientology is pretty unique rite? I mean, sure, people have been stoned before but its never been a religion rite?

Scientology is just a stupid cult.

 

[Harbringer]

Scientology is just a stupid cult.

Yes, but regardless of how silly it may sound, neither it nor catholiscism can be proven or unproven, so to call it stupid would be contradictive.

 

[Red Door]

Yes, but regardless of how silly it may sound, neither it nor catholiscism can be proven or unproven, so to call it stupid would be contradictive.

Well, Catholicism has more "proof" behind it than a stupid money-making cult by Ron Hubbard.

 

[Harbringer]

Well, Catholicism has more "proof" behind it than a stupid money-making cult by Ron Hubbard.

Evidence not proof
which are two different things entirely.

 

[warpus]

Scientology is just a stupid cult.

What's the difference between religion and cult?

 

[Harbringer]

What's the difference between religion and cult?

My point was more that just because you have a negative disposition towards something doesn't make it wrong, what you think doesn't matter, but what tangibly is does.

 

[colontos]

Your description on Islam is wrong. They believe that he is the last prophet, not that he is the most important.

They most certainly believe that he is the most important.

 

[Smellincoffee]

They most certainly believe that he is the most important.

It certainly is difficult to mount a case for Muhammed not being important when cartoons of his likeness -- some fabricated -- give rise so so much hate as we have seen.

 

[aneeshm]

Because all religions are really just composed of themselves. There is nothing unique about religions. Atheism, however, is the belief that there is no higher authority, no intelligent "power". That is really the reason I believe in Atheism. I also think: "Hm, something so irrational and unorganised? There can't be an higher spirit involved."

And I know that someone will say "not all Atheists are that fanathical!" or something like that. But that's Agnosticism, who is also, along with Atheism, something unique.

Nihilism and stuff like that are really just branches of Atheism and Agnosticism.

The only religions you know about are the Judachrislamis ones, yet you make a generalisation about all religions? And also about traditions which are not religious in the Judachrislamic sense?

Atheists astound me, because of their unbelievable, almost infantile arrogance.

 

[azzaman333]

The only religions you know about are the Judachrislamis ones, yet you make a generalisation about all religions? And also about traditions which are not religious in the Judachrislamic sense?

Atheists astound me, because of their unbelievable, almost infantile arrogance.

Thats a very juvanile statement to make.

 

[Prince_Imrahil]

Funny, because, aneeshm, you criticize a generalization and then make one.