I doubt that atheists are irreligious, profane and do not have a set of beliefs that form their thinking, conscience, motivations and behaviour. "Religion" in today's terms means a personal formulated set of beliefs that form one's values, guides one's conscience and governs one's behaviours.

I find even some atheists I know treat their health as sacred, or the environment, or some other object. It may be their car, their girlfriend or wife. The sacred does not have to be supernatural or superstitious, it just have to inspire deep respect and thoughtful devotion. It is what people actually believe is the reality.

Religion is defined as "A World View", a view of the world and how it operates and how we operate in it to create for us a better personal outcome or cooperative society. To some fanatical religions they may feel to kill their opponents will create a better world. Socialist atheism was enforced to substitute other religions which was denied in countries like the USSR, and still in China and North Korea.

Thanks Philo. I'll leave you and Foxy to argue what religion may or may not be.

>>"Religion" in today's terms means a personal formulated set of beliefs that form one's values, guides one's conscience and governs one's behaviours.<< - Philo

>>religion is a system of community shared beliefs and rituals that are oriented towards some sacred, supernatural realm.<< - Foxy

Personally, I lean towards Foxy's definition, the community part seems to make it somehow more complete than just a personal value set. It would seem to be important that in order to have a religion, you need to agree on what those values are, rather than simply keep them to yourself.

>>The sacred does not have to be supernatural or superstitious<< - Philo

>>The sacred is anything that is regarded as part of the supernatural rather than the ordinary world<< - Foxy

Again, I think Foxy is closer to the mark.

Anyway, have fun duking it out, you two. I doubt you'll ever agree, and I suspect a compromise is pretty much out of the question too.

Goodwill to all.

Current schools of religious studies define religion on the actual experiences of beliefs and attitudes.

For instance:
Pericles,
You currently hold a set of beliefs based in theory that you hold with passion and believe they give you the correct answer to all reality and to your life and shape your experiences. That is exactly what religion is and does.

It is theories of how the Earth came into existence, theories on how life began, theories on how we got here. Theories on good health and social well being. All these theories form your world view. They form your values. These are the basis of any religion. It is just that you reject most other religions except your own as true. You consider them all superstitious fancy.

I might add, I also consider most theory on random mindless accident as giving us no reason for our being is superstitious irrationality. I believe there is clear direction, purpose, and a spiritual mind behind all reality.

Paul at his trial defines the observance of Jewish laws as religion in Acts 26.

26: 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, you are permitted to speak for your self. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
26:3 Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
26:4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers:
26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Again Paul’s defines his former life under Judaism of law keeping as religion in Galatians.

1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
1:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

James the family brother of Jesus defines true religion as caring for orphans, widows, and living a pure life.

James 1:26 If any man among you seems to be religious, and does not control his tongue, deceives his own heart, and this man’s religion is vain.
1:27 Pure religion that is undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

From ancient times laws for living were considered religion. To be continued later:

I hesitate to tell you this, Philo, because I know that it doesn't fit with your neat and orderly image of what life is all about.

But you couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

>>Pericles, You currently hold a set of beliefs based in theory that you hold with passion and believe they give you the correct answer to all reality and to your life and shape your experiences<<

That is totally diametrically opposite to the reality.

As I have mentioned on this forum a number of occasions, I am blissfully aware that I know very few - if any - of the answers to life, the universe and everything. I understand a little of the scientific background to our physical being, but have absolutely no answers to the philosophical and spiritual question "why do we exist?"

I am so completely convinced that I know so little, that I reject all attempts to invent a middle-man, or deity, that oh-so-conveniently becomes the answer. Note, believing in this deity doesn't actually answer any of the questions, it simply replaces them.

My "beliefs", Philo, rest on the simple premise that I don't have any that actually answer questions. I have beliefs in the sense that I can tell wrong from right and good from bad, but not in the sense that they obliterate any need to keep questioning and learning.

The single most disturbing trait of religionists is that they know they are right.

The only thing that I, on the other hand, know for absolute certain is that during my tiny life span on this tiny planet in one galaxy out of billions, I will never be sure that I am right about anything.

It's something that is actually very refreshing and liberating to be aware of, even though many people find the concept disturbing and fear-inducing.

Have a great day.

Clearly religion is an organised set of taboo's and rituals shared by a group of people under the leadership of a presiding occultist most often formulated in a group of material orientated institutions. Religion requires the construct and then worship of a mythical and occult Phantasmagoria. That which is done "religiously" is merely religious like, ritualised , operated without thought or reason. Holding ideas , people or material items as important cannot be argued as being religious. Because religion requires a commitment to the denial of logic and nature it cannot be compared with the fan(dom) of a football fan , who if mentally healthy does not imbue his club with magic although his enthusiasm may resemble religiousness.

To mix religion with politics is Religiousism. The wicked conspiracy to dominate people who do not share the inane superstitious beliefs of the faithful in order to reinforce the belief in god in an obvious godless universe. Thus also an immoral act.