In answer to some of your questions at the bottom of your post, I am a mormon. My parents are mormon. My dad converted to mormonism while an adult. I became a believer while a teenager. I have to believe that I probably would not be a mormon if not for my parents, mainly because it is unlikely it would ever have been presented to me in such a way that I would have seriously looked into it, knowing the way my mind works. But I thank God for my religion.
There are some things commonly believed by mormons that I do not believe, but by and large I believe the doctrines of the church, including many that serve as one liners to illustrate how ridiculous mormons are. There is nothing in my life that I have given more thought to than my religion. I believe it has blessed my life immeasurably.
Regarding atheists, I served as a missionary in my church for two years and had the opportunity to speak to a lot of atheists about religion. While most athiests wouldn't describe atheism as a religion, most would readily admit that it is just their belief given their interpretation of the evidence. But religion and belief are not necessarily the same thing as you noted.
There are some things commonly believed by mormons that I do not believe, but by and large I believe the doctrines of the church, including many that serve as one liners to illustrate how ridiculous mormons are. There is nothing in my life that I have given more thought to than my religion. I believe it has blessed my life immeasurably.
Regarding atheists, I served as a missionary in my church for two years and had the opportunity to speak to a lot of atheists about religion. While most athiests wouldn't describe atheism as a religion, most would readily admit that it is just their belief given their interpretation of the evidence. But religion and belief are not necessarily the same thing as you noted.
By telling them that atheism is a religion 
Seriously, they really seem to get bent out of shape by that, based on the handful of atheists I have had discussions with. I just simply pointed out that atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist. You're still believing something either way. It takes just as much faith to not believe in God (something that can never definitely be proven) as it does to believe (something that can never definitely be proven). Either side can conjur up compelling evidence. So in the end, it comes down to what you believe.
And I just tell them it's a religion to get a rise out of them
It's really more a belief than any type of organized religion. Personally, (changing topics here for a minute), I think religions are the downfall of mankind. I prefer to be more spirtual than religious. Yes, I believe in God and basic morality, but I rather not invent a bunch of nonsensical rules to live by and then try to force other people to adopt my rules. Which, actually, raises an interesting question. If you are religious, and really believe in your religion, is it because you were raised that way? If not, was there ever a point where you consciously decided you believed in the religion? Anybody ever change religions as an adult? If you are religious, is there any aspects of your religious doctrine that you choose to ignore because you don't believe in it?
Seriously, they really seem to get bent out of shape by that, based on the handful of atheists I have had discussions with. I just simply pointed out that atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist. You're still believing something either way. It takes just as much faith to not believe in God (something that can never definitely be proven) as it does to believe (something that can never definitely be proven). Either side can conjur up compelling evidence. So in the end, it comes down to what you believe.And I just tell them it's a religion to get a rise out of them
It's really more a belief than any type of organized religion. Personally, (changing topics here for a minute), I think religions are the downfall of mankind. I prefer to be more spirtual than religious. Yes, I believe in God and basic morality, but I rather not invent a bunch of nonsensical rules to live by and then try to force other people to adopt my rules. Which, actually, raises an interesting question. If you are religious, and really believe in your religion, is it because you were raised that way? If not, was there ever a point where you consciously decided you believed in the religion? Anybody ever change religions as an adult? If you are religious, is there any aspects of your religious doctrine that you choose to ignore because you don't believe in it?
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
This message last edited by Narg on 28/02/2012 at 09:20:03 PM
Do you know the best way to anger an atheist?
- 28/02/2012 07:10:57 PM
2119 Views
Or, you could baptize one of them, posthumously.
- 28/02/2012 07:32:48 PM
1440 Views
I can't think of any reason for an atheist to be annoyed by that.
- 28/02/2012 11:08:44 PM
1175 Views
Well, for starters, it's really effing rude.
- 28/02/2012 11:31:36 PM
1247 Views
It is an act of love.
- 29/02/2012 12:34:03 AM
1237 Views
Everyone does it for that reason? (edits for clarity)
- 29/02/2012 10:27:02 AM
1122 Views
I have some disturbing news for you...
- 29/02/2012 06:42:41 PM
1160 Views
For anyone reading this: the guy above is wrong, and I am admitting that to you on his behalf, so
- 29/02/2012 07:15:38 PM
1203 Views
Maybe without realizing it, you have articulated....
- 29/02/2012 07:24:13 PM
1014 Views
I actually find that conversation quite interesting.
- 29/02/2012 08:18:35 PM
1137 Views
Re: I actually find that conversation quite interesting.
- 29/02/2012 09:07:06 PM
1206 Views
I cannot possibly agree more with these two paragraphs of yours...
- 29/02/2012 09:28:09 PM
1187 Views
I find the Fall perhaps the most interesting part.
- 02/03/2012 09:05:29 AM
1596 Views
Re: I find the Fall perhaps the most interesting part.
- 02/03/2012 06:26:06 PM
1371 Views
There are 3 critical distinctions: 1) Ability to sin, 2) Awareness of sin and 3) Appreciation of sin
- 05/03/2012 04:08:36 AM
1127 Views
It is not an act of love to defy the beliefs of a loved one.
- 29/02/2012 02:32:45 PM
1273 Views
Rape? That is ridiculous.
- 29/02/2012 05:26:13 PM
1191 Views
It's a bit of hyperbole, but not too far from it, imo
- 29/02/2012 05:45:39 PM
1201 Views
"Spiritual rape" might be going a bit far, but otherwise that sounds about right.
- 02/03/2012 08:06:48 AM
1270 Views
Isn't religion different than faith, though?
- 28/02/2012 07:44:07 PM
1230 Views
Yeah that's pretty much what I said
- 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM
1036 Views
- 28/02/2012 08:21:56 PM
1036 Views
Some answers
- 28/02/2012 09:05:35 PM
1118 Views
that won't work on Buddists
- 28/02/2012 09:21:48 PM
1182 Views
For some reason I always imagine Buddhists as the monk class on RPG games... *NM*
- 28/02/2012 10:13:27 PM
578 Views
That's always been my view of the issue. Half-assed non-religious types are just as obnoxious too.
- 28/02/2012 10:34:12 PM
1394 Views
Seems a got both a pat on the back and a scathing rebuke. I call that a good day
- 28/02/2012 11:57:45 PM
1460 Views
Best way to anger an atheist, by declaring all atheists are the same. *NM*
- 28/02/2012 10:38:51 PM
707 Views
Common error number 1: "Atheism isn't a lack of belief, but rather a belief that God doesn't exist."
- 28/02/2012 11:18:23 PM
1344 Views
Curiously, anger at statements of simple obvious facts is a hallmark of religious fundamentalism.
- 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM
1270 Views
- 29/02/2012 10:27:29 AM
1270 Views
What you're doing there is defining "atheist" and "agnostic" in a way that suits you, but...
- 29/02/2012 11:50:27 AM
1056 Views
What I am doing is using the terms as they were universally used until about the time I was born.
- 05/03/2012 01:11:21 AM
1204 Views
So what do you call this position?:
- 05/03/2012 08:43:20 AM
1161 Views
I call them both agnostic, but the former leans toward atheism while the latter has no lean.
- 05/03/2012 10:53:02 AM
1242 Views
See, there you go again, defining atheism in such a way as to make it sound ridiculous.
- 05/03/2012 11:21:17 AM
1028 Views
Well, is unswerving belief a good thing, or not?
- 05/03/2012 11:57:05 AM
1253 Views
What's happening
- 05/03/2012 02:24:41 PM
1267 Views
Conversationally, DKs use of "atheism" at the start of this convo is the only practical definition.
- 07/03/2012 03:10:18 AM
1570 Views
Oh really? The guy who was doing it to annoy people?
- 07/03/2012 09:53:38 PM
1162 Views
The guy who was doing it to annoy atheists based on the terms technical and popular meaning, yes.
- 11/03/2012 04:04:36 AM
1048 Views
Whatever.
- 12/03/2012 12:39:24 AM
1527 Views
*NM*
I understand that as "I completely agree."
- 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM
1328 Views
- 13/03/2012 12:11:18 AM
1328 Views
I have known very few people who "believe" their religion from rearing and actually understand it.
- 29/02/2012 12:08:01 PM
1393 Views
I thought that was "best way to make an atheist roll his/her eyes at you"? *NM*
- 29/02/2012 11:05:21 PM
740 Views