Is Atheism Really a Religion That Requires Faith in the Non-Existence of God?
Some Christians make that claim, but they may not realize its logical implications
I’ve often heard Christians argue that atheism is just another religion requiring faith, much like Christianity. This misconception likely stems from the belief that atheism means firmly asserting that God does not exist.
(Non-members can read this article for free here)
While some staunch atheists do claim that no God can exist, many identify as atheists simply because they find no convincing evidence in any of the world’s major religions. They often describe this as a “lack of belief.” For example, American Atheists explicitly states that atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods, but a lack of belief in gods.
A lack of belief doesn’t require faith and certainly isn’t a religious belief. It merely means they haven’t been persuaded by any religious arguments they’ve encountered.
Even after clarifying this point, some Christians persist in claiming that a “lack of belief” is itself a form of belief or even a religion. This is where the discussion gets particularly intriguing.
