Atheism is a Religion

Atheists have increased their attacks against what they call "religion" since the 9/11 attacks, and have lumped all religions into one, saying that religion leads to violence because of intolerance, that religion is just a crutch for the weak, and that any rational, intellectual, scientific individual knows that there is no God.


When confronted with arguments to the contrary, they usually (though not always) result to ad hominem attacks against whomever would dare to disagree with them. But then, atheists are like Christians, or any other group of people - some are nice, others are jerks - it works that way with all humans.

The truth is, atheism has all the components of a religion,and is based on beliefs.

They believe there is no God.
They have doctrine (a set of ideals that they are taught and teach others)
They have "historical fathers"
They have their present priests/elders (leaders)
They have a lawgiver and set of rules and standards (they are their own God, and their own lawgiver)
They believe in their wordview
They believe theirs is the only truth.

I actually have a little more respect for atheists than agnostics. Atheists at least on the surface, are more sure of themselves, and tend to stand up for what they believe in. Agnostics on the other hand, tend to not defend themselves too much or attack a belief in God unless they are cornered into it, at which time they can be just as vicious as an atheist. Having been a former agnostic, I understand their postion better than I can an atheist's, but know that inside, the agnostic just isn't sure - but is hoping he's not wrong.

Atheists mock Christian's belief in heaven - a place of eternal joy that we receive at the end of this life - having put our faith in Jesus for our salvation.

Atheist's heaven is on earth - it's a place where they can do whatever they want to, whenever they want to, with whomever they want to - as a result of their belief that there is no God.

Atheists are sometimes frustrating to try to converse with, because they are so often hostile, but "liberal" or "progressive" Christians are sometimes equally so. That seems a little strange, but when one realizes that progressives are in some cases no closer to Christianity than an atheist, it doesn't seem so strange.

Atheists, agnostics, liberal progressives...they can all be saved. And many from all three of these groups have been. I'm one. I know a considerable number of others. So if someone you care for false into one of these three categories, don't give up. Keep praying for them. Watch God work. He does still save.