atheism = rejection of belief in the existence of phenomena that are beyond observation through the senses or explanation by logic and/or science. (Though typically you’d see it as a rejection of deities, what a deity/god is itself much debatable, and for our purpose I’d generalize it as anything supernatural)
religion = a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe which serves its followers as both the a guide in the quest for truth and a handbook for right living. As explained in Role of Religion, a third aspect of religion is by which many followers derive a sense of identity or exclusivity.
science = originally, a body of knowledge that is established through systematic study and experimentation, and that can be reliably used. Later, it came to refer to some specific fields of knowledge, which admitted only the evidence that may be captured directly through the five senses, or inferred indirectly from it. By this narrower definition, the scope of science is considerably reduced to what was previously referred to as physical science and excludes many useful and highly systematic fields such as pure mathematics
At the heart of any religion is its faith, which is a set of core beliefs based on which it defines, arrives at, and expounds the Truth, which it might further use to explain other phenomena, observable or otherwise. Further, a religion sets forth to its followers, certain methods and techniques which may be followed to reach the Truth as defined in its faith. We say atheism is a subset of religion (just as theism is), primarily because it is very similar to established religions in both these aspects. The core faith of atheism is often in a universe that can be fully described by science in its narrow definition – in other words, a universe that has no influence that is beyond direct observations or logical inferences from them. (Note: This does not imply all atheists believe in science; just that they reject supernatural/ non-observable phenomena) This idea, though is drastically different from the core of most traditional religions which emphasize on the spiritual aspect of life and even use it as a starting point to explain the observable universe, is still a fundamental faith in atheist philosophy. Much like any other religion, it is by relying on this core of faith that the atheist seeks to uncover the Truth of this universe.
Based on its core faith, which is the validity and universal applicability of science and logic, many Atheistic religions provide as their own path, the scientific method and the way of logical reasoning. Of course, this does not prevent other religions which explore a spiritual aspect also from using science, or its methods, for explaining the physically observable realm of this universe. In fact, the origin of science as we know today can be traced back to the truth-seeking efforts of its very religious pioneers in the ages when seekers of knowledge in the physical realm where not dogmatically convinced that there is no truth beyond it. Many of the theistical religions also share Atheism’s liking for science, but at the same time understand its self-imposed limitation of dealing only with the objects of the five senses, and employ equally rigorous and systematic methods in dealing with subtler realms. In believing that logic and science can answer all questions about the universe, and in rejecting anything that doesn’t fit into logic as false, science and logic perhaps take the position as chief Gods in the Atheist pantheon. This is not strikingly different from other religions which consider god as being love, bliss, truth, virtue, or an embodiment of such virtues or their combinations.
Religion, by itself, is not dogmatic or fanatic, and nor is Atheism. Followers of many religions, on the other hand, are often found to assert, quite fanatically, that their way and perception of the truth is the one and only one – all else being falsehood leading to hell. This, as observed in the Role of Religion, is a negation of the true spirit of any religion. Atheism also has a fair share of such blockheaded followers and they have their own prophets who insult the ideas of other religions and blame them for all the evils in the society. They think of themselves (and other atheists) as a separate class of people who are higher and more intelligent than the followers of other religions – so much, that they consider their convictions to be above all other religions, free from their faults, and as the only path that can lead to the Truth or promote harmonious existence. To think of one’s own path to be the true path is okay; but insulting others who do not follow it is the most obnoxious face of dogma, and it is not less so when displayed by an Atheist. The worst enemy of any religion are not its critics but its own followers who would, rather than understand its true essence and apply it to enrich their lives, attempt to attack and prove other religions wrong.
It can be seen in the history of many religions that they started off as being the oppressed, and at a later point became the oppressor themselves. For example, Jesus Christ was persecuted for what he believed and preached, and the Church which claimed to follow and represent him persecuted many in later ages for not falling in line with their beliefs (or using this as an excuse). There have been times when followers of Science, such as Galileo, have been persecuted by intolerant followers of powerful theistical religions; the way Science is being hijacked by some equally intolerant followers of Atheism, the day may not be far away when we read of Scientific Inquisition and Jihad being advocated by the proponents of this new religion. Persecution, abuse and intolerance of differing ideas is not the property of any religion, but of people who seek to achieve and maintain power over others. Even if we abolish the use of the term religion altogether (its essence cannot be abolished for as long as humans have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge), such people would find other means to control and dominate others, as we have seen in the case of many Communist regimes.
So in all the three most significant aspects of religion, we see that Atheist religions are just like any other. Like we classify some religions as monotheistical and polytheistical, a higher level of classification into theistical and atheistical religions does make sense. But I don’t see any reason (yes, reason is not a prerogative of atheists) to subscribe to the views of many an atheist that atheism is not like any religion, but something above and beyond it. Atheist and theist ideologies are both subsets of religions ideologies, and the bickering between atheists and theists is no different from the bickering between the followers of different theistic religions, which many atheists seem to look down upon. All ideologies including belief in God, or in science, or in self, or in the universe, are all personal faiths which make sense for those who hold that belief and not necessarily to anybody else! It is not theism or atheism, but those who try to push their own ideology as being superior or universally applicable that create trouble in the name of religion.
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