Is the Constitution able to protect atheist religions? Let's examine the arguments and define atheism. We will also consider whether atheism qualifies as a religion or a religious belief in the Constitution. 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 types of atheism. All reject the idea of a Supreme Being. These religions include classical Greek, African, and Hindu religions. A few atheists have even rejected the idea altogether of a divine being.
Atheism can be supported by the absence of evidence supporting gods. A belief in gods relies on the belief there is an unaffected supreme being. As such, the burden of proof is on the believer to prove that there is an inexplicable entity.
Epicurus was one of many philosophers who developed materialistic theories in order to challenge religious belief. Even though he believed gods existed, Epicurus claimed that they were indifferent to human affairs and that they did not care about them. This philosophy was known as ataraxia, and the Epicureans sought to achieve it.
Definition of atheism: A religion
Atheists believe in a God. But that doesn't make them reject all religions. Some do. Some of them even became devoted members in theistic communities. The key is defining atheism as a religion, not a 'no god' philosophy.
The term "atheist" has many definitions, and each one has its own pros and cons. According to Encyclopedia of Philosophy a theist is someone who denies God's existence. Others believe God is not real and reject religions.
One major flaw in this second definition is that it is too broad. The definition of "atheism," for example, is too broad. Fideistic believers for example believe that God exists, despite the low likelihood of this belief. They believe in God because they need a higher power to make sense of life, and atheism fails to distinguish them.
Are atheism religions protected by the Constitution?
The First Amendment guarantees the right of all people, even atheists to worship God. However, the Constitution does not allow governments to favor or establish a specific religion. This clause also prohibits discrimination against atheists in America, which is a minority.