Which religion is the most growing, do you think??? Why??
Christianity??? Judaism??? Islam??? Atheism??? or anything else
Christianity??? Judaism??? Islam??? Atheism??? or anything else
Which is the most growing religion???
Once again: atheism is not a religion. Atheism is a category of ideas and beliefs that includes some religions, and also includes some things that are not religions.
If atheism is a relgion, then "non-African" is a nationality. Only it's not, and neither is "African". Japanese is a non-African nationality, as is Australian and Colombian. Kenyan and Nigerian are African nationalities. Not "African" or "non-African". A citizen of no country at all - someone with no nationality - can also be a "non-African", but not an "African".
Atheism is a category, like theism. Christianity is a theist religion, and so is Islam. Buddhism is an atheist religion, and so is Jainism. Someone with no religion at all can also be an atheist, but not a theist.
If atheism is a relgion, then "non-African" is a nationality. Only it's not, and neither is "African". Japanese is a non-African nationality, as is Australian and Colombian. Kenyan and Nigerian are African nationalities. Not "African" or "non-African". A citizen of no country at all - someone with no nationality - can also be a "non-African", but not an "African".
Atheism is a category, like theism. Christianity is a theist religion, and so is Islam. Buddhism is an atheist religion, and so is Jainism. Someone with no religion at all can also be an atheist, but not a theist.
Christianity and Islam are growing at pretty much the same rates, and higher than other religions.
Perhaps if you changed this to "Which belief system is growing the fastest?" then you could include Atheism.
Perhaps if you changed this to "Which belief system is growing the fastest?" then you could include Atheism.
And I maintain that atheism is a religion, as it espouses a belief in a deity, albeit in the negative, which is all takes to be a religion.
Good point re: "Non-African", however...
HM
Good point re: "Non-African", however...
HM
I've heard claims that Islam is the fastest growing religion. It seems to have had much more gain than Christianity over periods of time.
So are we talking about currently the fastest growing religion? How can you tell. Why do you care? Islam affirms Christ. So obviously if most of the world has been quickly taken to these religions there is obviously something humanitarian about it all. As long as you can read with eye unclouded.
So are we talking about currently the fastest growing religion? How can you tell. Why do you care? Islam affirms Christ. So obviously if most of the world has been quickly taken to these religions there is obviously something humanitarian about it all. As long as you can read with eye unclouded.
Seems to me like Islam is the fastest growing religion right now. Christianity seems to be... I don't know, losing followers? Not as if I could actually know this to be a fact. 
I agree that Atheism is not a religion. Religion is usually based on a God, some religions however aren't. To say that someone is of the "Atheism religion" just because they have no beleif in a God is like calling a beleiver of Islam a Christian just because they both beleive in a God. Get my drift?
I agree that Atheism is not a religion. Religion is usually based on a God, some religions however aren't. To say that someone is of the "Atheism religion" just because they have no beleif in a God is like calling a beleiver of Islam a Christian just because they both beleive in a God. Get my drift?
| miacps wrote: |
|
I agree that Atheism is not a religion. Religion is usually based on a God, some religions however aren't. |
So, in other words: A religion is a religion regardless of whether or not it believes in a god.
Your statement is that religion does not require a god. So what does make a religion? Atheism has its books, its dogma, its schisms, its heroes and saints, and even its lunatic fringe. How is it different from a religion?
| Quote: |
| To say that someone is of the "Atheism religion" just because they have no beleif in a God is like calling a beleiver of Islam a Christian just because they both beleive in a God. Get my drift? |
Nope. We have a definitive differences between the two, and those differences define who is what. Atheism is defined by belief in a non-existent God; it is that it has a belief in god that makes it a religion...
HM
Atheism is far different from the Religion. Atheism believes in the non-existence of god and which other Religion say that God Exists.
As far as iam concerned - Christianity is growing day by day (By whatever means, In one way or the other).
I also see some religions being moving forward towards their non-existence in some parts of the world.
In my opinion, Religion is nothing but a Belief and one's own Commitment and Feeling towards that Belief.
Keep Smiling
As far as iam concerned - Christianity is growing day by day (By whatever means, In one way or the other).
I also see some religions being moving forward towards their non-existence in some parts of the world.
In my opinion, Religion is nothing but a Belief and one's own Commitment and Feeling towards that Belief.
Keep Smiling
OK. But there is an other question.
How does the religion or belief system affect our lives.
With any religion I try to be a good person. But my belief doesn't affect my life. I wake up everyday, goto work, come back home and sleep. So how does that religion affect my life???
Gr8 tnx
How does the religion or belief system affect our lives.
With any religion I try to be a good person. But my belief doesn't affect my life. I wake up everyday, goto work, come back home and sleep. So how does that religion affect my life???
Gr8 tnx
Sure?
HM
HM
Atheistic fanaticism can be just as fanatical, irrational and polemic as any form of religious fanaticism. So that begs the question, what is the real distinction between atheistic fanaticism and religious fanaticism? They are both distorted beliefs about God.
Can a Satanist be a religious fanatic? Obviously they can, and yet they do not believe in a conscious divine being. If atheism is not a religion then neither is Satanism, by Indi's fanatical religious reasoning!
As to the thread topic, Islam is only growing faster because Islam countries are so backwards that they still have an out of control birh rate, unlike China, India, Latin America, and much of Africa.
Can a Satanist be a religious fanatic? Obviously they can, and yet they do not believe in a conscious divine being. If atheism is not a religion then neither is Satanism, by Indi's fanatical religious reasoning!
As to the thread topic, Islam is only growing faster because Islam countries are so backwards that they still have an out of control birh rate, unlike China, India, Latin America, and much of Africa.
| rabbani wrote: |
| OK. But there is an other question.
How does the religion or belief system affect our lives. With any religion I try to be a good person. But my belief doesn't affect my life. I wake up everyday, goto work, come back home and sleep. So how does that religion affect my life??? Gr8 tnx |
Let's say you decide to turn to Christianity, using the examples you stated above, it may not affect your life that way. We all go to work, come home and go to sleep, but your attitude may be different. You may be slower to anger, more willing to help someone when you see they need it. You may smile more, find it easier to quit a habit that you consider bad for you. Things like that. Having religion won't change some things in your life, but it will change your life in some way. Also, using the examples I stated, you will have a more positive impact on others thereby affecting the lifes of others.
I hope that helps.
Also, as far as which religion is growing faster? I have no idea.
I think that "fastest growing religion" kinda depends on who you ask. I think a lot of folks would like to believe that theirs is the "fastest growing". I've seen similar claims about Neo-Pagan religion. While it's true that even deep in the U.S. "Bible Bely" like I am I'm constantly surprised by the number and quality of people that practice Neo-Pagan religion of one form or another I'm not really sure that a "fastest growing" designation is deserved. We just seem to be everywhere (even working for NASA).
"Fastest growing" may be a non-issue anyway. Some religions may be stacking the deck as it were. An example may be The Church of Jesus Chirst and Latter day Saints who believe in converting their dead relatives. They might claim to be the "fastest groing" but how many new converts are actually living?
As for how religion changes your life, well, that could really depends on your depth of commitment doesn't it? If you are the type that says believe in something but never go to any religious functions, fellowship, or even practice any of the core beliefs, or just sometimes go to services like on major holy days then obviously there isn't going to be a whole lot of change in your daily life. However if you keep to the core ideals daily, let yourself be guided in your daily life by your religious ideals then your life will indeed be a cut above the average no matter what your daily life is like.
"Fastest growing" may be a non-issue anyway. Some religions may be stacking the deck as it were. An example may be The Church of Jesus Chirst and Latter day Saints who believe in converting their dead relatives. They might claim to be the "fastest groing" but how many new converts are actually living?
As for how religion changes your life, well, that could really depends on your depth of commitment doesn't it? If you are the type that says believe in something but never go to any religious functions, fellowship, or even practice any of the core beliefs, or just sometimes go to services like on major holy days then obviously there isn't going to be a whole lot of change in your daily life. However if you keep to the core ideals daily, let yourself be guided in your daily life by your religious ideals then your life will indeed be a cut above the average no matter what your daily life is like.
Christianity is not a religion in the same way that "non-african" is not a race. Christianity is a group of organized religions. christians that do not belong to a particular christian religion are categorically the same as atheists. would you say non-mainstream christians are not members of a religion just because they aren't part of an organized religion?
Religion has little to do with organization.
what is atheism? it is the belief that there is no god, or at the very leat not believing that there is a god. This is a very specific thing, and it is the fundamental belief of atheism. an atheist cannot exist as an atheist if this is not true of him. by definition that makes atheism a religion. no matter how simple the belief system, so long as it pertains to the cause, nature, and origins of the universe, the spiritual forces thereof, and whether or not they do exist.
Being theist, without any ties to a particular organized religion, you are still religious. as such, being atheist is the exact same category.
People think that atheism isn't religion because they believe themselves to be against religion, and the problem isn't with religion, it's with organized religion. Atheism is religious belief, because it is belief about religious subjects, this is ALL religion means. No more needs to be read into it. belief that god does or does not exist is religion. If I have black hair, and I refer to it just as "hair" rather than black hair, if you have blonde hair, you can still call it hair. just because it is fundamentally different than my hair doesn't mean it isn't still hair.
| dictionary.com wrote: |
| re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. 5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith. 6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice. 7. religions, Archaic. religious rites. 8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow. —Idiom 9. get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices. b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products. |
Religion has little to do with organization.
what is atheism? it is the belief that there is no god, or at the very leat not believing that there is a god. This is a very specific thing, and it is the fundamental belief of atheism. an atheist cannot exist as an atheist if this is not true of him. by definition that makes atheism a religion. no matter how simple the belief system, so long as it pertains to the cause, nature, and origins of the universe, the spiritual forces thereof, and whether or not they do exist.
Being theist, without any ties to a particular organized religion, you are still religious. as such, being atheist is the exact same category.
People think that atheism isn't religion because they believe themselves to be against religion, and the problem isn't with religion, it's with organized religion. Atheism is religious belief, because it is belief about religious subjects, this is ALL religion means. No more needs to be read into it. belief that god does or does not exist is religion. If I have black hair, and I refer to it just as "hair" rather than black hair, if you have blonde hair, you can still call it hair. just because it is fundamentally different than my hair doesn't mean it isn't still hair.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| Christianity is not a religion in the same way that "non-african" is not a race. Christianity is a group of organized religions. christians that do not belong to a particular christian religion are categorically the same as atheists. would you say non-mainstream christians are not members of a religion just because they aren't part of an organized religion? |
Mmm, no. You are both misreading what was written, and redefining terms randomly when definitions already exist.
First, the misreading. No one said anything about "non-African" being or not being a race. i said nationality. There's a huge difference. No one's nationality is "African", just like no one's nationality is "Asian". Both Africa and Asia include several nations within them, but are not nations themselves. In context, the term "African" is like the term "theist". No one's religion is "theism", but "theism" includes several religions within it. Similarly, no one's religion is "atheism", but "atheism" includes several religions within it. Atheism is simply not a religion. Attempts to define it as such will just create logical absurdities.
And now the redefinition part. Christianity is a religion. The various Christian subgroups are either churches, sects or cults (which label is appropriate for a specific group depends on various factors).
Because of that, your question becomes meaningless. It doesn't matter whether a particular Christian sect or denomination is "mainstream" or not "mainstream". They're both part of the Christian religion. Sectarian differences do not a new religion make.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| Religion has little to do with organization. |
i never claimed it did.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| what is atheism? it is the belief that there is no god, or at the very leat not believing that there is a god. This is a very specific thing, and it is the fundamental belief of atheism. |
i'm going to stop you there and show you where things start falling apart. As i said, once you start defining atheism as a religon, you end up with logical absurdities. You've started down that road right there. In summary, this is what you said: "Atheism is a belief, or it is not a belief. This is a specific belief." So "not a belief" is a belief now? And the lack of a tree is a tree?
| silvermesh wrote: |
| an atheist cannot exist as an atheist if this is not true of him. by definition that makes atheism a religion. no matter how simple the belief system, so long as it pertains to the cause, nature, and origins of the universe, the spiritual forces thereof, and whether or not they do exist. |
The problem with all of the people pushing this silly "atheism is a religion" idea is their fundamental narrow-mindedness. They are unable to escape from the idea that "atheism means denying god exists". Yes, that's true, but that's only part of the story.
Do you realize that people who've never even heard of the idea of a god are also atheists? There's no denial there, and no belief. If i turned to you and said: "do you believe that Nigel Tufnel is real?" and you had never heard of Nigel Tufnel, would you not reply: "i don't know"? If i then turned around and told everyone that you believed that Nigel Tufnel did not exist, wouldn't i be lying? Isn't that exactly what you're doing with atheism? You're lumping all those people who don't say "god doesn't exist" - who simply say "i don't know" - under that same category. That's just dishonest and narrow-minded.
The only thing that defines an atheist is that they are not a theist. That is literally it. Period. Nothing more, nothing less. Yes, it includes the "believes god does not exist" people. But it also includes everything else that doesn't fall under the "believes god exists" people... which is a lot, if you open your mind.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| Being theist, without any ties to a particular organized religion, you are still religious. as such, being atheist is the exact same category. |
Wrong.
If your religion does not have an established name, your religion's name is not "theism". It is just a religion without a name. Theism is not a religion. It is a category of beliefs (that includes religions).
Similarly, if you have an atheist religion without a name, that religion's name is not "atheism". It is just a religion without a name. Atheism is not a religion, it is a category of beliefs (that includes religions, and non-religions).
| silvermesh wrote: |
| People think that atheism isn't religion because they believe themselves to be against religion, |
... -_-
Here's a wacky thought.
Instead of telling atheists what they thing... why don't you listen to them?
Not all atheists believe themselves to be against religion. Some are. Some don't care either way. And some are devoutly religious... in atheist religions.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| Atheism is religious belief, because it is belief about religious subjects, this is ALL religion means. No more needs to be read into it. belief that god does or does not exist is religion. |
Aaaaand one more time.
Your view on this topic is very narrow. Do you believe that the only two possibilities are "i believe god exists" and "i believe god does not exist"?
If you do, you should get out more and learn about atheism before pronouncing judgement on it. Because you honestly have no clue what you're talking about.
| silvermesh wrote: |
| If I have black hair, and I refer to it just as "hair" rather than black hair, if you have blonde hair, you can still call it hair. just because it is fundamentally different than my hair doesn't mean it isn't still hair. |
And here is a good example of you shooting yourself in the foot with your narrow-mindedness.
Let's say hair-colour is analogous to religion. And let's make a category analogous to theism called "redhead" (which would mean that the analogy for atheism would be "not redhead"). There are several shades of colour that fall under the category of redhead (just like there are several religions that fall under the category of theism). And there are several shades of colour that fall under the category of not redhead (just like there are several atheist religions).
By your logic, "redhead" contains nothing but hair colours, so the category itself can be considered a hair colour - even though it's not, it's a bunch of hair colours. So far, all you're doing is abusing the language. You're not dead wrong yet.
But then you go on to figure that since the category "not redhead" contains hair colours too, it, too, must be a hair colour.
And it all falls apart when i point out that you didn't think about bald people.
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