NationStates Jolt Archive

A majority of the people here believe that atheism is not a religion. So despite you're personal beliefs, for the sake of debating let's say atheism is not a religion. It's more of a lack of religion

Now using the same theory... since anarchy really isn't a form of government, but a lack of one. Does that make anarchy a form of government?

What are your thoughts?

While, one could say that Atheism is more of a religion than secularism, which isn't even close to being a religion, so much as being a way for us to live peacefully.

A majority of the people here believe that atheism is not a religion. So despite you're personal beliefs, for the sake of debating let's say atheism is not a religion. It's more of a lack of religion

Now using the same theory... since anarchy really isn't a form of government, but a lack of one. Does that make anarchy a form of government?

What are your thoughts?

Many anarchist would accept it is a form of government. But a non-hierarchical one that is not attached to any state.

I don't think we'll get far unless we define government (and anarchy). There are certain commonly accepted characteristics of religion that mean some exclude atheism: equally, what do we mean by 'government' that even suggests anarchy might not be applicable? If it's 'a way of running the country', then clearly anarchy does qualify. If we define anarchy as 'a lack of government', then we'd probably be better off slitting our throats than trying to puzzle that one out. So I think it depends on the language we use.

"a majority of the people here believe that atheism is not a religion...." Sorry to have to tell this but they might be wrong.Atheism isn t just not believing in anything; is just no believing in god, which is not the same thing.Atheism is believing in science, in progress...or just faith in the capacity that anyone has to choose their own destiny.

Using the same theory anarchy wouldn t be a lack a governement but the existence of non conventional structures.

Anarchy is the natural state. It is the absense of law. It is not a form of government

Anarchy is the natural state. It is the absense of law. It is not a form of government
Not true. Anarchy is the absence of rulers, not the absence of government or law. The people govern themselves, and make their own laws, not someone higher up.
Edit: Unless we're talking about "anarcho" capitalism- which isn't really anarchy at all, as the reemergence of the state is inevitable...

Anarchism could be called a form of government in that it describes a way that government may be, in this case non-existant, I suppose.

Not true. Anarchy is the absence of rulers, not the absence of government or law. The people govern themselves, and make their own laws, not someone higher up.
Edit: Unless we're talking about "anarcho" capitalism- which isn't really anarchy at all, as the reemergence of the state is inevitable...

What is government with the absense of rulers?

What is government with the absense of rulers?
Well, if there are no governors (rulers/whatever you want to call them), and no one is governed, how can it be called a government?

:confused:

Well, if there are no governors (rulers/whatever you want to call them), and no one is governed, how can it be called a government?

:confused:

Exactly.

Easy, people, in the forms of communities, unions or whatever are collectively governing themselves making decisions collectively.

Anarchy; defined as the abscence of govenrment

Government; defined as an authority executiong, administrating and creating law and force

Law; defined as a system of codified rules to which society must comply

Force; defined as laws or the application of law against the will of the people

Society; defined as the grouping of individuals

Individuals; defined as persons within a society

Now, starting with assumptions, Anarchy cannot be a form of Government. it can, however, be a form of Law.

"a majority of the people here believe that atheism is not a religion...." Sorry to have to tell this but they might be wrong.


The majority is never wrong.

The majority is never wrong.
Except if the minority has the bigger guns...;)

The majority is never wrong.I hope that's sarcasm.

Anarchy; defined as the abscence of govenrment

Government; defined as an authority executiong, administrating and creating law and force

Law; defined as a system of codified rules to which society must comply

Force; defined as laws or the application of law against the will of the people

Society; defined as the grouping of individuals

Individuals; defined as persons within a society

Now, starting with assumptions, Anarchy cannot be a form of Government. it can, however, be a form of Law.

Agreed, though I would personally question how long such a form of law could exist without it eventually creating a government, but that is neither here nor there...

Agreed, though I would personally question how long such a form of law could exist without it eventually creating a government, but that is neither here nor there...
Correct. If we wanted to bring that into the question, then it could be successfully argued the inherit nature of man would result in the formation of a government or the collapse of society. Which may in of itself produce a kind of splintered government. But that's a whole other issue.

First off, atheism is not a religion.
Religion- A culture's experience of the transcendent and their reaction to that experience

If atheists believe there are no transcendent forms (divine beings), they are therefore not a religion. Plus, 'atheism' is not an organised set of beliefs, it does not have rituals, and therefore couldn't be a religion anyway, just a single belief that there is nothing that is transcendent.

3 hours ago I decied I could probably support Anarcho-Syndicalism or some form of Anarchism. I believe it is the lack of am organised governing body, but their is still government, the people vote and decide on issues, and there are still laws.