Description

Writer Hemant Mehta discusses the common notion that atheism is a religion.  He dismisses the idea as meaningless and blurring the definition of the word ‘religion’.  He then discusses new “atheist churches” and the nuances and benefits of these kinds of organizations.

Discussion Questions

• What is a religion?
• What is Mehta’s argument for why atheism is not a religion?  Do you agree?
• Why do you think people call atheism a religion?
• What is an “atheist church”?  Have you ever attended one?
• What do people do there and why?  Does this make it a religious gathering?
• What might be the pros and cons of atheist churches?

Keywords: atheism, religion, church, Sunday Assembly, humanism, Ethical Culture