Are atheism and other religions protected by Constitution? Let's look at the arguments and definition of atheism. We'll also discuss why atheism has been declared a religion and whether or not the Constitution recognizes it as a religious belief. After all, atheism is a philosophical position where we reject the existence of any deity.
Arguments for atheism
Atheism is a philosophy which rejects the belief that there are gods. There are several forms of atheism that are common. They all reject the idea there is a Supreme One. These religions include classical Greek, African, and Hindu religions. Some atheists even reject the idea of a deity altogether.
Atheism has one argument: there is no evidence to support gods. A belief in gods relies on the belief there is an unaffected supreme being. It is the believer's responsibility to prove the existence of an inexplicable entity.
Epicurus and other philosophers developed materialistic theories that challenged religious belief. While he believed in the existence of gods, he asserted that they were uninterested and impersonal. This philosophy was called ataraxia and Epicureans sought it.
Definition of atheism: A religion
Atheists believe that there is no God. They don't necessarily reject all religions. Some of them do. Some of them are even devoted members of theistic groups. The key is defining atheism as a religion, not a 'no god' philosophy.
Many definitions of the term "atheist," each with their own pros and disadvantages, exist. According to the Encyclopedia of Philosophy, an atheist is someone who denies the existence of God. Others believe God doesn't exist and religions are false.
The second definition is too broad. This is a major flaw. The word "atheism" is too broad. Fideistic believers, for example, believe that God exists despite the low probability of that belief. They believe that God exists because they need to see the bigger picture to understand the world. Atheism fails them.
Are atheism religions protected by the Constitution?
The First Amendment provides protection for everyone's right to worship God, including atheists. However, the Constitution's Establishment Clause prohibits governments establishing or favoring any particular religion. This clause also prohibits discrimination against atheists, who are a minority in America.