Alternative Religions and Atheism

Alternative Religions and Atheism

Alternative religions refer to non- and semi-Christian groups from the west. These religions attract a vast population from the public, academic and other groups of interest in post-Christian societies. The primary forms of alternative religions include, but not limited to cults, new religious movement, Pentecostalism and the new age among other religions. On the other hand, atheism refers to lack of acknowledgement in any deities (Luehrmann, 2011). Atheists do not believe in God or any gods whatsoever.

Alternative religions and atheism are different from my belief in upbringing. I was born and brought up in Christian denomination in the United States. Christians believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. My parents taught me to believe that God exists in heaven, and he is the creator of the universe and all things in it. On the contrary, atheism advocates for a belief that there is no God and were created from procreation.

After studying the two religions, I have learned that there are twelve broad categories of Alternative Religions and atheism was founded by Theodorus Cyrene and not Diagoras, my initial belief before this class. I have also learned that China has the most atheists globally.

Even though I do not practice Christianity anymore, I don’t see myself an adherent of any of the two religions because my faith is rooted in God and his existence. The two religions have diverging beliefs about the same (Luehrmann, 2011).

This class has been fascinating since I have learned that China is a country that hosts alternative religions. It is a country with the least religious beliefs followed by Europe.

For an adherent of atheism, I would ask questions such as, “since you don’t believe in deities, what is creation?” how did the universe come about? And where is your faith-based?

References

Luehrmann, S. (2011). Secularism Soviet-style: teaching atheism and religion in a Volga republic. Indiana University Press.