Note- part of the problem, I've noticed, is that people often use two different meanings of a word interchangeably. So, in a sense, Jib can be correct about atheism being a religion, but it is a different use of the word religion then everyone else is using.

When discussing, for instance, Christianity, the following two definitions apply:
from American Heritage
This is the 1st definition and the most commonly used conext of the word. Atheism clearly does not fit under this definition.

While atheism could be a religion in this context:
Of course by this definition, someone who's really into soccer can have it as a religion. MOST people don't think that when someone says "Soccer is his religion" that its meant "He has supernatural beliefs in soccer and they explain the creation of the universe"

What bothers me about Jib's definition is I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he is aware that he's using the word 'religion' differently then everyone else. Which would make me quote Dying Actors when he asks him "Why are you doing this"

But they are most likely discussing there religious beliefs. Granted they don't believe it but that is most likely what they are discussing.

for anyone in the Abany NY area here's a link to an atheist met up group.

http://www.meetup.com/atheists-531/calendar/13690444/

And here a some literature on why Atheist groups are needed in America. I didn't read the whole this I skimmed through it but some of what I read does seem to have validity.

I can't help suspecting it's no more complicated than 'It appeals to my sense of irony to describe an atheist group as "a religion", therefore the term is appropriate'.

But I'm a terrible cynic.

I found one of these groups in my area I have signed up and awaiting approval from the groups organizer. I will attend a meeting and give a full TR on what they're about and some discussions that took place as soon as one takes place.

I am an atheist/agnostic so I am not necessarily trying to infiltrate. I am honestly interested about this and have been since the first time I heard of them. If it has cult/church like feeling or if it's at 8am on a Sunday I will not attend another one. If it is truly about equal rights for non-believers and rational though I will probably attend another one.

I found them here. If anyone is interested in finding one in your area.

http://www.meetup.com/find/us/pa/scranton/?offset=20

Sorry. You still don't seem to know what the words mean. See definitions I posted earlier.

WTF are you talking about I don't know what the words mean?

And see my post about yours.

When someone pointed out that there was a campus meeting of atheists you replied:

This clearly show you don't what the word "religion" means. People meeting on a weekly basis (even if its on a sunday) does not make the people following a religion.

People gathering to discuss other people's religions beliefs, does not make it a religion either.

To give you an example. I don't play soccer. If I met in a room with 20 other people to discuss soccer games, I still wouldn't be a soccer player.

To bring it back to your post:
First, atheists don't really sit around and discuss their religious beliefs because they don't have any. If you want to be technical, we could sit around and discuss our lack of belief in a religion. And we would still not be 'a religion.'

I'm not saying they are a religion but I can def see some of them being Cult like. If all they do is sit around and bad mouth religions ask for donations after a while what makes it so much different than any other organized religion. IMO: organized religions are nothing more than tax free big business anyway.

With all fairness I also consider AA and support groups like that Cult like. Not necessarily a Cult in traditional sense but def cult like tendency's.

It would be cool to have a group of local people with the same interest that met regularly and discuss things like science, history, philosophy, etc.
A side benefit would be the things that a church provides which is not available to atheists, such as a community of like minded people for social events, networking, etc.

Thanks for the link.

yeah, seems like a decent way to meet people with similar interests in astronomy, science, philosophy etc...thigns that dont usually come up in normal day/day life...

this, I chuckled

Yeah I registered with the one locally. I'm still waiting for the response. I will check it out and give a TR about it.

Well, I'm retired so I probably don't get as much contact as you.

If you try to bring these issues up at work people usually want to tell you there religious views or just say this isn't appropriate talk for work. Then go back and gossip about what Suzy is wearing today.

hmm, i was agreeing with you i think...having an "atheist" meeting group or whatever would bring people with those interests together when they normally would never meet...

You're correct. I was actually thinking of students that have a large number of people to discuss issues with probably would not feel the need for such an organization.

I couldn't disagree more. Atheism is the exact opposite of religion. Just because some are strident about it, doesn't make them religious. They're just tired of being walked on and want rationality brought into the conversation when dealing with religion.

I'm actually a little more liberal then some when it comes to "in God we trust" on coins, etc. But I don't want my court houses having the 10 commandants in front of them. I don't want to be asked to swear on a mythical book. And I certainly don't want my lawmakers using bronze age teachings when it comes to dictating what's moral. Strident? Maybe. Religious? Not in the least.

fail

Why do people deface billboards in public places? For the same reason they run threads like this one in public places: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/13...s-nsfw-404393/

Which one of those causes property damage?

My point isn't property damage. Atheists aren't in some group that is exclusively targeted to receive property damage though. There are plenty of gangbangers graffitti-ing anywhere and everywhere in Southern California. Those signs just excited someone who likes to make jokes. It could even be an atheist gangbanger with a sick sense of humor who graffiti'd them (or it could be a group of gangbangers who more than likely included an atheist when they did it and the atheist didn't want to act like a copout and went along with the activity)....I don't know why anyone would even be so aggrieved as to run a thread on such a topic...Vandalism is vandalism.

I think I understand your point better now, but you have to understand that when you say people make the images for atheists thread for the same reasons that they deface property, it's hard to figure out that you actually mean that atheists are not the only target of vandalism.

It doesn't, Jib. What they're trying to do is let other non-believers know that there are others like them. That it's okay to 'come out of the closet' if you will. Again, it is also political. We want politicians to know that they don't have to kow-tow to religion.

There is exactly 1 member of congress willing to admit to being an atheist. Yet, we know there have to be many more who are simply afraid to admit they are not religious. This is what these billboards are for. Letting people know it's okay to come out and not be afraid.

theres something wrong with this, but i dont know how to put it into words