Smart List Proves Atheism Not A Religion

R&I – FS

Which of these criteria does atheism meet, or fail to meet?

The Seven Dimensions of Religion
Ninian Smart

Ritual: Forms and orders of ceremonies (private and/or public) (often regarded as revealed)

Narrative and Mythic: Stories (often regarded as revealed) that work on several levels. Sometimes narratives fit together into a fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the universe and human’s place in it.

Experiential and Emotional: Dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace, bliss (private)

Social and Institutional: Belief system is shared and attitudes practiced by a group. Often rules for identifying community membership and participation (public)

Ethical and Legal: Rules about human behavior (often regarded as revealed from supernatural realm)

Doctrinal and Philosophical: Systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually coherent form

Material: Ordinary objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred or supernatural

Question:
1. Which of these criteria does atheism meet?

2. Give specific examples of how atheism meets any of these criteria

Verisimilitude