Why do atheists claim they are "non-religious"?
408081
There are a minority of people who regard religion as a general set of beliefs, not necessarily involving a supernatural power.  However, most dictionaries and most people I know regard religion as a set of beliefs that do involve a higher power or god.\n\nThis is really just a matter of I say Tomayto you say Tomahto.  Two different definitions being intermixed and causing confusion.\n\nPersonally, I am an atheist, and I regard religion as something that absolutely involves some sort of supernatural or higher power.  Therefore, I consider myself non-religious.\nJust realize the differences in people's interpretations.
728717
My religion is right because I have no religion. No religion has empirical evidence or proof of it's claims (that's why it's called a religion), so none of them are right.
984587
The dictionaries and encyclopedias I have used do not capitalize atheism or atheist.  Capitalization is reserved for Proper nouns.  The non-belief of any Deity is not a religion, and thereby not considered a proper noun.
713711
I answer atheist questions because I have been called thisso many times, simply because I am not Christian.\n\nI don't know everything, but I know I place my thinking further than limiting it to a bible. Which by the way, is fictional. Which is also written in part by mentally ill people who were considered saints by men-not by God.\n\nMy mind is open and can be changed, my mind is not closed to all things other than the bible. I do believe in God, but am considered atheist since I am not christian. This is where they are wrong.
621969
maybe you dint find a real believer in God, who is to have an argument with!\n\ni mean believing in something is a symbol of emotional dependancy or some sort of confidence over the 'unknown' that it would help their .. watever! so, people should know whether they really believe or whether they think that they believe or whether they are testing their faith. a person who selflessly believes in god will argue with you better than a person who is a believer for his own reasons. so it depends on the mentality of the person you are arguing with.\n\nLastly i am not contending with your opinion and neither am i condemning it. I am also not trying to argue with you. I am not an atheist. I am not a christian either. you have your right to believe whatever you want.. and so have I. Loosing an argument doesn't prove that gods dont exist and winning an argument doesnt prove either. stop taking things personally and find people who you really want to contend with, the 'arguable' people.
1086239
Actually, my child, atheists SHOULD be in this category. The believe in nothing, which is still a belief. They provide a negative view to the views of the Christians and other believers of God. They have freedom of speech and within that is the freedom to disagree. I don't always approve of the language they use, but that goes the same for some of the Holier-than-Thou Bible Thumpers. For an accurate look, you need more than one view.
949549
My best friend is an atheist. He doesn't claim to be spiritual. Actually, I have never met an atheiist who claimed to be spiritual.
1054094
You called?  ;-)  :-)    I am a spiritual atheist.   I am one who does not believe in "god" or "goddess" or in the divinity of Jesus, but I do still practice a form of spirituality that helps me with my life.  I like some of Jesus' teachings, I glean some wisdom from various religions and apply them to my life.  That is spirituality, in my personal definition.  \n\nSOME, not all, atheists ARE spiritual to various degrees.\n\nEDIT:  In re: confusio; don't worry, that happens.  We all learn something new everyday.  :-)
576189
Atheism means not believing in a god.  Nontheism is not a word in common use. Perhaps you mean monotheism, which refers to the belief in one god.
682391
They are looking for affirmation.  If someone who is a non-believer posts something that they can poke holes threw it gives them self-justification in their own beliefs.  Of course, you already knew that ;)
960779
There are two types of atheist or two definitions. 1) a person with the belief that no deities exist.  2) a person with the absence of belief in deities.  \n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism#Positive_definition:_the_belief_that_no_deities_exist\n\nAtheism is not a religion itself, but there are non-theistic religions.  Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taosim, and certain sects of Hinduism are examples.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism_and_religion
347116
We don't believe in God. Therefore we also don't believe in heaven or hell.\n\nSome of us were brought up in non-religious households, some turned away from religion for whatever personal reason. There are many, many reasons why people are atheist - as many reasons as people are religous. I am atheist because the thought that there is a god who tests peoples faith and judges them on how well they worship him appalls me. I hope other athiests will tell you why they don't believe.\n\nI do, however, respect people's religious beliefs and believe that we each have the right to our own faith. I would not want to deny anyone the right to their beliefs.\n\nSome people think that atheists are ignorant, arrogant or just plain stubborn, that we have no morals - sometimes these are people who claim their religion preaches tolerance and respect. Atheists don't feel that we need God's guidance to tell us what is right or wrong - that comes down to common sense and a desire to protect and continue humanity.\n\nMost of us have reached our belief through a lot of thought, and that decision doesn't come lightly - it takes courage to stand up and say that you don't believe in God. \n\nI hope this has helped.
109314
As an atheist, I have tried to grasp how believers in a god can actually believe. Many religious people have deemed this annoying and respond with hostility because their faith comes under question. And contrary to what people above me have said, we DO have beliefs. Just different (which to some people means none at all). I believe in science and proven fact. I have discussed my beliefs, and come under attack, because if people of faith can understand where I stand, they can further help me understand where THEY stand.
806044
Well said, and thank you. You might have a point. I'd like to think that one doesn't have to have no faith, to have manners, intellect, and a sense of humor. But If you've ever noticed someone who is deeply religious, they are always trying to convert you, or convince you otherwise. Whereas I've never tried to push my belief on anyone. In fact, If it wasn't for people, mostly coworkers, trying to ask for donations, or just asking me questions about my faith, they would never know that I'm not a religious person. But based on that one principal, now they keep there distance...Goddamn hypocrites!!
1008554
NO- atheist does not mean satanist (if you are equating that to evil). A belief system is sacred. I applaud anyone that takes the time to sort things out and not blindly follow the theology (or lack there of)  of their parents/friends/whatever. I occasionally wonder if those that do the right thing because it is the right thing and not to attain entrance into heaven more commendable.  If you are talking about someone who believes in nothing and therefore cares about nothing I'm not sure I would consider them "good"--- but who determines "evil" anyway.
643299
I don't have any religious beliefs.\nI'm just an all-around believer in the spiritual.\nI have these beliefs because of my personal experiences with religion.
572502
You cant define atheism by terms like 'believing' or 'non believing'. That's like defining light as absence of darkness. Atheism is thought of indifference towards all religious concepts. Even A person who looks down on religion or criticizes God is also not an atheist. A true atheist is not bothered.