Prof. Weinberg on Religion and Physics

[hornian]

In reply to:

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[HornsInTheHouse]

I don't get those who allege atheism is a religion. If atheism is a religion, "religion" loses all meaning. Here are two fundamental differences between religion and atheism:

Religion:
-belief in the supernatural (defined as that which we cannot perceive or quantify with our five senses or scientific tools)
-emphasis on tradition as Law

Atheism:
-belief in the natural (that which can be perceived by our five senses and scientific tools) as the default way of viewing the world
-a tradition of scientific inquiry for study of the natural world which includes encouraging skepticism, demanding evidence, and calling for demonstratable processes instead of miracles

 

[stabone]

They aren't the same re: atheism and religion, although they both take some leap in faith to say where all of this comes from. Religion is exact and atheism is somewhat apathetic, but in reality there are also many shades of atheism, i.e. someone like myself who thinks that 'no personal god' created this Earth. But I acknowledge that 'something created this world, and I just can't say what it is because I don't know. Its more of a belief that existing stories and religions don't convince me, so I fence sit. I like science.

The reason the religious frequently liken atheism to a religion is it makes it easier for them in the debate to debunk someone's atheistic view. Which is actually quite ironic considering the rational used is "you are wrong then also because you take a leap of faith....just like I do."