Indeed, the question of "what is a 'religion'?" is pivotal to my challenges. That is why I included the link, to explain why atheism is considered a religion, especially wrt politics and 1st amendment rights.
If a person is atheist or even simply agnostic without considering and/or answering any of the challenges, that is fine. But such a reaction is a belief and thus "materialism" and in particular "scientific materialism" from such a one is on par with similarly biased theological arguments about origins and life. IOW, in that case the notion that a person is atheist by reason cannot apply - scientific objectivity is out the window.
Also, "doubt" does not equal atheism. Doubting Thomas was an Apostle, too.
I think it should be included for those purposes, because of due process and equal protection considerations. Further, I think some people have created a "religion" of atheism, but I don't think it is necessary.
If a person is atheist or even simply agnostic without considering and/or answering any of the challenges, that is fine. But such a reaction is a belief and thus "materialism" and in particular "scientific materialism" from such a one is on par with similarly biased theological arguments about origins and life. IOW, in that case the notion that a person is atheist by reason cannot apply - scientific objectivity is out the window.
True, but, again, one can be an atheist without having a rational basis for it. The default you seem to be operating under is that "you are religious unless there is a materialistic or rational proof for your opinion." I don't believe that holds.
I've heard someone say the people are atheistic about everyone else's beliefs. As a mental exercise: If you don't believe in Thor, Loki, Zeus, Zarathustra, etc., etc., you probably don't do so rationally. You haven't examined the truth or falsity of every precept of every religious group and every deity that has every been proposed or talked about. Atheists are exactly the same, but they apply that reasoning to Jahovah (or Yahweh), as well. Your belief in the non-truth of Loki doesn't mean you adhere to the "religion" of non-Loki-ism.
Also, "doubt" does not equal atheism. Doubting Thomas was an Apostle, too.
Very true. Doubt is religiously neutral.