There are times when discussing religion that people will point out that Atheism is a religion. It is true that Atheism is a doctrine that states supreme beings do not exist, where as religion is the opposite doctrine. This debate continues because of the social awkwardness that people bare when choosing to call themselves atheists. There are also atheists that have criticized people who are afraid to call themselves atheists. I personally do not call myself an atheist, I prefer "non-believer" These are the reasons why:
Giving Self Titles: When people devote themselves to any belief system they automatically give themselves the title of "Christian", "Muslim", "Jew", "Buddhist" and so fort. This is the same for atheists, no matter how much they debate about their disdain for religion, they will separate themselves by giving the title of "Atheist". I find this to be ridiculous because there is no need for this self identification. As a "non-believer" (not a title I've given myself, just a term to use for clarification for my argument) I believe when you give yourself a title you cause yourself to be...
Stereotyped: If someone says to you "I'm a christian" and you respond " an atheist" there is a possibility that you will be viewed as someone with no morals and someone who will surely go to hell one day, and in doing so as an atheist you would possibility judge a christian as being a religious nut and someone who is arrogant. I believe no matter what title you could give yourself, life is life, whether it is good or bad, you will feel the same with or without a title.
Atheist quarks: Every time I see some news regarding the "war on Christmas" it pisses me off. I'm sorry but I'm not part of the group that says "you can't say Merry Christmas because I don't believe in Christ, you have to say Happy Holidays" This is stupid. If you are an atheist why would Merry Christmas offend you? It is just a greeting used for the Christmas holiday. I celebrate Christmas and I'm not a christian. You don't need to be religious to celebrate Christmas, it is just another holiday to get together with friends and family.
Fact Based: One reason that atheists give that supports their beliefs is that they believe in the facts and are not fooled by faith based beliefs. This does not need to be a core argument. People believe in facts because, well.... facts are studied and restudied. Facts are also proven, if someone is going to be arrogant to the vast some of facts then they are arrogant. You don't need to have religion to be arrogant. If you are an atheist then make a better argument than this, this statement only will harden the oppositions stance.
Politics: This is probably the biggest reason why I decided not to call myself an atheist. There is too much bickering over religion that there doesn't seem to be time to actually argue over the things that need to be done such as giving people health care, provided better schooling, making sure people have a roof over their heads, better income equality. In politics it forces you to take a side, and it is usually not the side of "getting shit done". People will instead of looking at political candidates platform, they will see if he belongs to a certain sect of Christianity. I mean look at the backlash at President Obama, people are worried that he is a Muslim, when he has stated personally that he is a Christian. People it is time to move on.
In closing, if people are afraid that by disclosing their non-religious beliefs because of being viewed as an atheist or having to call them self an atheist, then I say there is nothing to worry about because you don't have to. Each person has there own set of values, you don't need to give people an excuse to discriminate against you.
