Atheist

Religions can be described in terms of practice, belief, history,

organization and culture. These have varying levels of importance in

different religions. A Protestant would define Christianity in terms

of belief a Catholic would add a lot about orgainzation. A Hindu would

discuss culture the only meaningful definition of Hinduism would be

the religion that comes with Hindu culture.

And like Christianity there is a double usage problem. Christianity

describes a family of religions including Catholic, Greek Orthodox,

Armenian etc. but within the Protestant movement there are people who

use Christian as a primary religious desicription. 62% of Christians

are Catholic but if you see a sign Christian day school don't expect

nuns.

In terms of practice an atheist is a person who from principal or

belief does not willingly serve or worship gods or spirits. This

includes most Buddhists, Taoists, Epicureans, Deists, agnostics and

people who use atheist as a primary religious description.

Unlike theist religions multiple membership is common and there are

members of all these groups who do serve or worship gods or spirits.

Also unlike theist religions atheists have no tradition of sacred

martyrdom. The Christian who worships the emperor under duress commits

at least a mortal sin, the atheist demonstrates common sense.

We have ethical systems based on moderation rather than extremes.

Buddah taught the middle way. Epicurus said pleasure is the good but

moderate pleasures are the best. The woman who gave ten pieces of

silver wasn't one of us nor was the man who took it.

In terms of belief an atheist is a person who uses the methods of

science to answer questions about the universe. This is often called

materialism or scientific atheism.

Materialists often use atheist as a primary religious description but

it mixes very well with other religions. There is not a religion on

earth without materialist members. Materialism mixes especially well

atheistic religions but also with emperor worship, in modern times the

combintion is called Stalinism, in Roman Imperial times every

important materialist philosopher served at the court of a divine

emperor. Divine emperors are real gods with