symbol of atheism[/caption]Leanne Jenkins---Is atheism a religion? Is the lack of belief in God a reasonable foundation for building a religious framework, complete with membership guidelines and a place to meet for ceremonies? Some folks think so, and the notion is growing.
In Portland, Oregon there are billboards that advertise the atheist organization, complete with meeting announcements and a campaign to promote membership. Oregon is one of those states with a low involvement in religious organizations, and this may be a mechanism for those outside the mainstream, or even the alternative, spiritual organizations to align themselves with atheism. In fact there are atheist meetup groups in the greater Portland area that advertise themselves as simply "neighbors getting together to learn something, do something, share something? But what is there to share in an atheist group?
It turns out the discussion centers around everything from vegetarianism to information about Christianity, entitled "Christianity Explored." And the vegetarian meet-up group narrows its definition to accommodate the membership generalities of non-theistic approaches to interaction by referring to its membership discussions as "agnostic vegetarians."
Many of these people maintain they have either not found religion to be coherent, supportive or necessary, and that they have been discontented with the fractionalism that occurs among sectarian groups. Others see belief in God as mere superstition, reflecting instead on science as the solution to man's ills. A number of discussions advertised by the national group are centered upon the sciences.
The American Atheists organization centers on civil rights interests and issues, making sure that other religions don't overstep certain boundaries in ways that would identify a state religion or a religion that indicates that all people belong to a particular religion designated unofficially, or subtly, as one defining the principles by which most people should live.
Experts tell us that it's hard to identify the demographics of atheism, as much of the world's populations identify themselves with a particular religion. One estimate is 90% of the people of India and the United States. But there is evidence that the fastest growing religion in the United States is "no religion."
Still while there is a claim by atheists and agnostics that their segment of non-belief is growing faster than faith groups, there are those who differ with this claim. For example Foreign Policy Magazine observes Islam to be the fastest growing religion in Europe, and its growth rate the highest in the world. The rate of growth of Islam worldwide was 1.84% in 2010, the Baha'is at 1.7% puts it at Number 2 in the world in growth rate, and Sikhism at a growth rate of 1.62% comes in at Number 3. Christianity's growth rate of 1.3% places it at Number 6.
Religion starts acknowledging the self-to be atheists is to deny the self not knowing - if we'are alone! The occult: having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence beyond ordinary understanding.
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