Sorry it's not ad hoc. it's a much more rigorous definition than you'll
find in a dictionary. Your assertion that Atheism is not a religion is
a bit like saying a motorcycle isn't a vehicle because it doesn't have 4
wheels like all the other vehicles, if something follows the form and
function that's what it is. Science is like that. Sociology is a poor
excuse for a science but it's very good at generalized definitions of
human institutions.
We were talking about belief, not just belief in God but also the belief
in no god. Both are beliefs neither is in the least provable, that's
what belief is.
Bob W wrote:
Well you're still equivocating, but now you're throwing ad hoc definitions
in from any source you can find, just to try and make atheism a religion.
That's a bit desperate isn't it? What gives social scientists any special
privilege when it comes to defining religion? The fact remains that this
discussion has been about religion as a belief specifically in God, and
obviously atheists don't hold this belief.
--
Cheers,
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: P. J. Alling [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 18 October 2005 22:28
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: More Texas Photo Issues
Religion is defined by social scientists by behavior and
outcome. By that definition atheism is a religion.
Bob W wrote:
Maybe, but that's equivocation. The whole discussion centres around
phrase 'under God', so we're not talking about belief systems in
general, but about a specific belief in God. By definition atheists
don't hold this belief, so atheism is not a religion.
--
Cheers,
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom C [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 18 October 2005 21:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: More Texas Photo Issues
I made the statement, in part at least, because of the following
definitions. -ism definitions 3a & b and religion definition 4.
Main Entry: -ism
Etymology: Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle
French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin
-ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs
in -izein
-ize
1 a : act : practice : process <criticism> <plagiarism> b :
manner of action or behavior characteristic of a
(specified) person or
thing <animalism> c :
prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute
<racism> <sexism>
2 a : state : condition : property <barbarianism> b :
abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a
(specified) thing <alcoholism> or marked by resemblance to
(such) a person or thing <giantism>
3 a : doctrine : theory : cult <Buddhism> b : adherence to
a system or
a class of principles <stoicism>
4 : characteristic or peculiar feature or trait <colloquialism>
Main Entry: religion
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio
supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from
religare to restrain, tie back --
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of
religion> b (1) :
the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) :
commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious
attitudes,
beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and
faith
Tom C.
From: "Bob W" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: More Texas Photo Issues
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 21:19:08 +0100
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom C [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 18
October 2005 19:27 > To: [email protected] > Subject:
Re: More Texas Photo Issues > > Come on. :) Atheism is itself a
religion. Each person is > their own personal God, is that not so?
No
Bob
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
