The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser

Is Atheism a Religion?

Written by

Bruce Gerencser

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,

Please see my previous post on this subject.

Evangelical apologists often say that atheism is a religion; that all of us worship something. Both claims are categorically false, but since when did that ever stop Evangelicals (especially Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis) from lying to advance their agenda?

When you think of a religion, what comes to mind? Denominations, church buildings, holy texts, beliefs, rituals, and clerics, to name a few. None of these things applies to atheism. Atheism is a simple statement about the lack of belief in the existence of deities. Atheists don’t have denominations, texts, rituals, or clerics. There’s no temple we can go to worship the god of atheism. Unlike most religions, atheism has no belief requirements other than a lack of belief in the existence of god.

Google AI answers the question this way:

No, atheism is not a religion; it is the lack of belief in any deities and does not inherently involve a set of tenets, rituals, or a system of worship. While some individuals or groups may label themselves as atheists within a specific philosophical framework or even create non-theistic communities that have some religious-like structures, atheism itself is the absence of a belief that would define a religion.

If atheism is a religion, then abstinence is a sex position. 🙂 Need I say more? If you are an Evangelical who still thinks atheism is a religion, please justify your claim. Preaching and moralizing are not welcome. If you can prove that atheism is a religion, I will change my mind. That said, I am confident, thanks to dealing with countless Evangelicals over the years, that your defense of “atheism is a religion” will not prevail.

Bruce Gerencser, 69, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 48 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.

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Comments

40 responses to “Is Atheism a Religion?”

  1. Ben Berwick

    Hah! I think the comparison to abstinence and sex is perfect! Let’s not mention sex though, it terrifies those deeply pious conservative Evangelicals 😉

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      GeoffT

      I always use the analogy of ‘not collecting stamps is a hobby’, but the sex and abstinence analogy is much better!

      Reply
    2. Avatar
      Trenton

      I don’t think evangelicals are afraid of sex. I think it’s more about control of who’s having it(married straight people only). It seems it is more about power, control and conformance to what they consider ideal. The fact is that if adherents find out that most evangelical talking points about sex are lies and fabrications, those adherents might start questioning other evangelical talking points that prop up the house of cards. The Black Collar Crime series clearly shows several pastors don’t give a rat’s ass about their own rules about sex anyway. My apologies for going off topic.

      That being said, the analogy was accurate.

      Reply
  2. Avatar
    Terri

    It’s not an important question.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      GeoffT

      It’s not an important question in itself, because the answer is self evident. Maybe you should have a word with other apologists though as they love repeating it!

      Reply
    2. Ben Berwick

      Actually Terri, it is an important question. I know of some deeply conservative Christians who insist atheism is a religion, reliant on faith. They do this to then go a step further, with arguments about objective morality, punishment for evil, and so on. It’s an in-road that needs to be constantly refuted.

      Reply
    3. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      If it’s not an important question, why am I asked it so many times? And why did you comment if it is not important?

      Reply
  3. Avatar
    Terri

    But, worship doesn’t need to include rituals, etc. in order to be worship. I mean, even the devil said to Jesus in the desert, “I will give you all this, if you will bow down and worship me.” What he meant was, “do what you will”.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      Ritual defined:

      “A ritual is a sequence of actions, often repetitive, that holds symbolic meaning and is performed in a fixed, prescribed order within a social, cultural, or religious context. These actions serve various functions, such as reinforcing social norms, fostering community cohesion, marking significant life events, or conveying cultural beliefs and values. “

      Reply
  4. Avatar
    Barbara Jackson

    This is an important question, and the sex comparison is very good. However some people like Terri want to box people in who do not fit their view of human society.

    My views are as follows there is a physical universe which is being studied by science. Human society exists in the physical universe. We can study it but we cannot change it. Religion is part of human society which is viewed in many different ways by different groups of people. I observe many different religions but I do not believe in any one of them. I do not worship anything.

    Do not box me into a corner.

    Reply
  5. Avatar
    Terri

    I’m not boxing anyone in, I’m just saying it from a Biblical worldview. These evangelicals have been wasting time with all their overdone arguments.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      What makes your beliefs right, and mine wrong? When you claim a “Biblical worldview” then you can expect pushback.

      Reply
  6. Avatar
    Terri

    You are allowed to see it differently. From your worldview, worship might not exist, from your definition of the word. From mine, it basically means what you prioritize as most important, what you, when the chips are down, give complete homage to. It’s a heart ❤️ thing.

    Reply
  7. Avatar
    Danny Plumber

    Yeah, Atheism just seems to bug the snot out of most christians. Like, “How can you not believe in my invisible man?” Well, REAL EVIDENCE would be nice. Atheism is not a religion, its a suspension of belief.

    Reply
  8. Avatar
    Terri

    I’ve got a question. It says on this site that Bruce is a pacifist.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      Yes, he is,

      Reply
  9. Avatar
    Terri

    I’m curious…were the Allies justified in going after Hitler and his ammunition during WW2?

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      GeoffT

      The question is a non sequitur. Yes, the Allies were warranted (by virtue of the standards we set ourselves) in resisting Hitler and the evil he represented. What exactly his ammunition has to do with it I’m really not understanding what you are trying to say.

      Reply
  10. Avatar
    Terri

    I know it seems somewhat off-topic, but it’s just a question about ethics. Not sure where else to post 🤔 it.

    Reply
  11. Avatar
    Terri Beaudry

    The weapons Nazi Germany used to conquer and occupy territories for the Reich, and to fight off those who tried to oppose this takeover.

    Reply
  12. Avatar
    Terri Beaudry

    Okay. So pacifism does not oppose all war and violence. Only when necessary to put an end 💯 to greater violence. When it does not really have a choice.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      A consistent pacifist oppose, in principle, all violence, including war.

      Reply
  13. Avatar
    ObstacleChick

    I feel like I have missed a lot of the fun here today.

    Atheism is not a religion. It’s simply lack of belief in deities. Religions are an identity, a tribe, with a set of rituals, beliefs, symbols, sometimes with sacred texts. I would go so far as to say that people who are generally spiritual without trappings of identity, tribe, rituals, beliefs, sacred texts, practices, are also not religious.

    Reply
  14. Avatar
    Terri

    I said it wasn’t important because who cares if it’s a religion or not? It is what it 🤷 is. Whatever you call it, 📞 it’s basically a lack of belief in a deity. But someone here said it was important for certain reasons.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      Words have meaning. Evidently, you think it’s okay to define words any way you want. Who cares, right? Well, I care and I don’t like it when people lie about or misrepresent what I believe.

      Reply
  15. Avatar
    Terri

    Yeah. I meant, why do certain people keep insisting that atheism is a religion? Why do they care?

    Reply
  16. Avatar
    Terri

    Am the same way, come to think of it. Probably best just to let the atheists define atheism, while letting the Bible believers define their own path.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      No, no, no. As I stated before, words have meaning. You seem to want a world where everyone makes up their own shit. We have all the information we need to accurately define these words/positions and others.

      Your comment reminds of a church I pastored where my Sunday School teacher went around the room asking people “what the Bible means to them.” This idea is absurd and leads to all sorts of nonsense (i.e. the teacher said “election” in the Bible means “we choose God.” No theologian ever said this.)

      Reply
  17. Avatar
    Sage

    Bruce is right, Terri, you have a definite tendency to redefine words and ideas to fit your own narrative.

    For example, you posted earlier ‘ I mean, even the devil said to Jesus in the desert, “I will give you all this, if you will bow down and worship me.” What he meant was, “do what you will”.’ Those two are not the same. Clearly this story is a demand for Jesus to worship the Devil, not to do hate er he wanted.

    You seem to also want to define worship to fit you need. But here is the issue, atheists don’t worship atheism. It is not the center focus of life to which they pay “homage” as you put it. It is simply a state of being. I don’t think about atheism except when discussions like this come up. It’s not different from saying I am a blonde. I don’t worship blondness. It simply is a state of existence.

    Reply
  18. Avatar
    Sage

    Ok.. I am going to attempt explain the logic behind the idea that atheism is a religion…

    🤔🤔

    Religion means you believe in something that can’t be proven and requires some level of faith..

    Christians believe in god, which is a belief in something that can’t be proven and requires some level of faith. Therefor christianity is a religion

    Atheists believe in not believing in gods, which is a belief in something that can’t be proven and requires some level of faith. Therefor atheism is a religion.

    What do you think? Am I right or what? Should I just drop the mic now??

    🤔🤔

    Reply
  19. Avatar
    Terri

    Well, ( to answer Bruce, then I really gotta go zzzzzz) you seem to equate ritual with worship. And then post a definition of ‘ritual’ as:
    “A ritual is a sequence of actions, often repetitive, that holds symbolic meaning and is performed in a fixed, prescribed order within a social, cultural, or religious context. These actions serve various functions, such as reinforcing social norms, fostering community cohesion, marking significant life events, or conveying cultural beliefs and values.“
    But how would 🤔 that apply to first century desert fathers (and mothers) who were mostly hermits? Living a life of prayer in almost complete seclusion? Besides the Eucharist, (or remembering His sacrifice each time they take the cup and eat bread) I don’t see any man-made additions or much community life (not including a much deeper, spiritual ‘connection’ with the body of believers and regions they continually interceded for?). The ‘worship’ of God was more defined by how they spent their time and their obedience. “In Spirit and in truth.”

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      All of religion is man made. Do you have empirical evidence that suggests otherwise?

      Reply
  20. Avatar
    Steve Powell

    If atheism is a religion it’s the one true faith.

    Reply
  21. Avatar
    Terri

    Sage, the “golden rule” of Satanism is, “Do what you will”. Jesus was being tempted in the desert by the devil. That’s the context. He was trying to get Jesus to quit His path towards the cross ✝️ 🙏. In the garden of Gethsemane, He famously said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done.”

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Bruce Gerencser

      I searched in vain for your claim about Satanism’s “golden rule.” Do you have evidence for your claim or is just you giving your own spin?

      I believe I’ve addressed this issue with you before. The largest Satanic group is The Satanic Temple — largely an atheist organization.

      There core beliefs are:

      THERE ARE SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL TENETS

      I
      One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.

      II
      The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.

      III
      One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.

      IV
      The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one’s own.

      V
      Beliefs should conform to one’s best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs.

      VI
      People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.

      VII
      Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.

      I don’t see “do what you will” anywhere in this statement.

      I suspect you don’t truly grasp Trinitarian theology. Jesus was the eternal son of God. Jesus couldn’t give into temptation, he was God. Please research the difference between the peccability and impeccability of Christ. Jesus couldn’t have left his path. It was preordained from the foundation of the world.

      Reply
    2. Avatar
      Sage

      Oookaayyyy. Yep, can’t argue with that logic. 🙄🙄🙄

      Reply
  22. Avatar
    Terri

    Yeah…that’s atheistic Laveyan satanism, which doesn’t believe in a literal satan. I’m speaking 🔊 of “Theistic Satanism
    Worship of a Literal Satan: Views Satan as a real spiritual being or deity to be worshiped.
    Diverse Practices: Beliefs and practices draw from various occult, Gnostic, or esoteric traditions, varying widely from group to group.”
    I’ve often heard them say, ” do what you will” , which actually comes from Anton Lavey, who wasn’t a “theistic” satanist.
    It implies rebellion in this context. Or a more intentional rebellion.
    There is a very, very wide spectrum under the umbrella of “satanism”.

    Concerning Jesus, He was tempted in every way that we all have been, and yet He was without sin.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Sage

      Yep,,wrong again. The origin of “do what you will” is not as you indicated here. It’s easy to find for anyone looking for a research project.

      And, once again, you bend a term or phrase to fit your narrative. It doesn’t necessarily imply rebellion, because it actually refers to individualism, which can mean rejecting societal norms or practices, living you life outside of the context of what society may find acceptable, and may or may not include rebellion. And even then, rebellion in this context is nuanced.

      And, curiously, your Jesus, according to your holy book, was an extreme practitioner of individualism. He certainly didn’t follow the rules of his religion and walked his own path to find his true self. So, “in this context” Jesus was already practicing “do what you will” and the context was simply as clearly stated, Satan wanted Jesus to worship him.

      Ironic, isn’t it? Jesus practicing “do what you will”. Wow.

      Maybe you should spend more time understanding words and phrases instead of bending them to your narrative,

      Reply
  23. Avatar
    Terri

    He was not ” self-willed” but only did that which He saw the Father doing. That is why He had such a strong 💪 anointing.

    This, in itself, is a huge topic. For me, it will have to be for another day. ⏲️

    Reply
  24. Avatar
    Karen the Rock Whisperer

    I’m an agnostic atheist. Agnostic means I don’t KNOW (gnosis==knowledge) whether any deities actually exist. Atheist means I don’t BELIEVE any deities exist, but I don’t actually DISBELIEVE in them. It is a withholding of judgment in the absence of evidence. (I’d like to at least believe in karma and some sort of cosmic justice, but I haven’t seen evidence of that, either.)

    Reply

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