Harris mischaracterises atheism as a denial of religion (5:35).
Atheism is the antonym of theism. Theism is "belief in the existence of a god or gods" [source] - not "belief in a religion".
Not all religions have gods (nontheistic religions) and not all gods require a religion (deism).
A better-suited word to use when rejecting religious views would be irreligious/irreligion, rather than atheist/atheism.
(3 votes)
Comments
(Short Spike)
Buddhists do have gods they associate with, which are bodhisattva's (such as in mahayana buddhism)
Although I've always viewed Buddhism as more a philisophical excersize than a dogmatic docterine to abide by.
I have a small manjusri (god of wisdom) in my bathroom who I pray to every time I take a shit
(Old Spike)
Thanks, I updated the description.
(Site Moderator)
My gods are my ancestors, space poop.