Originally Posted by serafim_azriel

I don't have much to say on the whole topic of what makes a religion that seems to have emerged here in regarding Atheism, expect that while I'm not atheist, I do also consider it a religion in theory. Not always in practice, because some people see it differently than others, and some people see if as simply not believing in a god.

And here's also the thing. A lot of the "explanation" of what makes a religion is a bit silly. Atheism isn't the only 'religion' that doesn't have a deity. Buddhist beliefs are agnostic on the subject, and do not have a "God" (No, Buddha is not a god, just a very smart man), and, if anything is to be considered a "higher power" it is yourself.
Taoism also has no designated Deity, as yin and yang are ideas and the Tao is The Way, or a way to live life.

Mind you, many practitioners call it a philosophy, and there are sects of both that are more 'religious'. These are just the two I've studied.

Religion has become something a bit more broad than it used to, and I don't see why Atheists are arguing with Atheists about whether or not it's a religion. Why does it matter? Let someone believe whatever they believe and deal with it. If they want to call it a religion, let them. If they don't want to call it such, oh well.