The bolded was to illustrate Atheism can be very organized, dogmatic and philosophical; therefore you have an equivalent to a religion(or as I said in my post “conceptually the same” as a religion) minus devotion to a god, Yet the gods are obviously the center of attention in most forms of Atheism albeit in a negative fashion. The issue is Atheists are reluctant to admit it.

Buddhism, Confucianism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Cynicism and Platonism are all dogmatic and philosophical. All of these doctrines are meant to be followed in a way that is identical to a religion, yet are not generally consider religions at least not by popular opinion because they do not feature an explicitly mandated ritual to a god.  However, being a disciple of any of the above philosophies clearly ties them to the doctrine in a religious way, just as being an Atheist devoted to dismantling a religion, god or persuading others they should give up their faith, is a form of discipleship to the cause.

Perhaps it is all a matter of perspective, these days people say they are not religious but spiritual, yet exhibit all the ingredients of a religion.

I am not necessarily moving Atheism in the religion category but saying that Religions, forms of Atheism, schools of philosophy and certain traditions belong in the same category.

I think the issue is defining religion and using it the same way one would use the word faith. Religion is separate from the person, it is a system. Faith is not separate from the person, it is a feeling. Having faith is putting your trust in something. People often put their faith in religion. However people put their faith in many other things, other people(their leaders, parents, etc) in their own abilities in sports, business, etc.  Faith is what gives religion its power; it generally gives anything it touches power.

I would not consider acknowledging the existence of a god religious. I would say putting your faith in said god would definitely make that a candidate for religion, but not simply putting your faith in the “idea” of a god. Theism and Atheism alone deal with the idea of a god, rather than a particular one.

To reply to the topic directly when Atheists write books about not believing in a god, having rallies, advertising(literally spreading the word and dedicated web sites), creating Atheist groups/organizations and developing what seems to be a movement then at the point it has become conceptually the same as a religion. All of these things are happening, and they seem to have strong convictions. one of the signs of a religious atheist or a dedicated Atheist is when said person consistently participates in topics of religion.

In conclusion, I will say that many atheists can be considered religious, but not all.

re·li·gion

re·li·gion/riˈlijən/

Noun:	The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods. Details of belief as taught or discussed.
	a·the·ist  (th-st) n. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.