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