I kinda agree, I am one that doesn't usually talk about my atheism since nothing there means nothing to talk about.
But where I think you are mistaken is the people that you feel that its a cause or mission in life.
Public poeple like Dawkins, Hitchens (the late), Harris, Tyson etc. I believe they are harping on and on about it because they believe religion and people's belief in it, is not just mistaken or a different "viewpoint", but dangerous and inherently destructive.
even friends that I know, the ones that make there atheism known and talk about it not because of some atheism viewpoint but because they strongly believe that people shouldn't believe in religion and its horrible to mankind.
while me and I believe most people who would identify as atheists, don't think about it all, just like I don't think about the toothfairy. thats why we don't talk about it, really whats to talk about? I don't care if religion is important in someone else's life, if it gives them joy and comfort, good for them. usually.....
I care is when someone tells me that I need to agree with their beliefs or feel they need insist my atheism is some kind of belief system too
it's kinda like when I was was told my nephew at 12 years old still believes in Santa Clause, no problem I don't have the need to tell him he's wrong to believe in santa clause but its kinda silly he hasn't figured it out yet
slowguy wrote:
Doesn't really pass the high school analogy test though.
Atheism isn't a religion in the sense of a system of practices and beliefs centered on belief in a god. However, it is a term used to define a viewpoint, and that viewpoint can be very important to some people, much like other viewpoints that are described as religion. In a more general sense, religion can be defined as any "interest, belief, or activity that is extremely important to a person or group." That's why some people describe sports as their religion, or money as their religion, etc.
There are some atheists for whom their atheism isn't a big thing. They simply don't believe in a deity. There are others, however, for whom atheism is a cause, a system of beliefs, and a mission in life. For those people, I think it's more accurate to describe atheism as their religion.