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Atheist Mega Churches ----- WTF?

Edx

Philosopher
Edx
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
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I like to occasionally watch SourceFed, but WTF did I miss???
Now SourceFed is known for not being hyperbolic in their headlines (its practically an inside joke at this point, even for them I think),
so before I watched the video I had already assumed it was probably complete nonsense and wondered what they were trying to glean from the story to twist into this title.
But while it was obviously an exaggeration, it still didn't seem nearly enough as an exaggeration as it needed to be!

Is this something about Atheism+ or is this something totally different?
I gotta say if their representation is accurate, this is a terrible idea.


 
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Why?

Community is one of the things cited as being a plus for religion. What's wrong with Atheists doing the same?
 
Edx said:
I like to occasionally watch SourceFed, but WTF did I miss???
Now SourceFed is known for not being hyperbolic in their headlines (its practically an inside joke at this point, even for them I think),
so before I watched the video I had already assumed it was probably complete nonsense and wondered what they were trying to glean from the story to twist into this title.
But while it was obviously an exaggeration, it still didn't seem nearly enough as an exaggeration as it needed to be!

Is this something about Atheism+ or is this something totally different?
I gotta say if their representation is accurate, this is a terrible idea.


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I read something about his in a news paper last week. As RossFW notes above the idea that religion can provide a sense of community while atheism tends not to (in and of itself) is exactly the reason cited for invoking such gatherings. I have seen no indication that this has anything to do with Atheism+.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131111/NEWS/131119959&cid=sitesearch
 
RossFW said:
Why?

Community is one of the things cited as being a plus for religion. What's wrong with Atheists doing the same?
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To me using religious language to describe things that arent religious is at best unsettling and at worst disturbing.

Also, what would go on at these places? The only thing that unites atheists is lack of belief.
If is it not just going to be a bunch of guys saying lol yea god belief is irrational... I no rite?
Why call it a church? Satire?

Yes I know we have atheist conventions, but those are full of talks by people debunking various aspects of religion and talking about the impact of Creationism and religion in schools etc etc.
And even though thats a lot more actual content, it still wouldnt justify calling it a church
 
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From what I have seen American atheists have a terrible time with those who are religious. When Americans "come out" they are threatened, other members of their family don't talk to them anymore, it's terrible the way they are treated for not wanting to believe in the god delusion.

I think it's a great idea & obviously gives those who do not want to believe in this or that god a place to meet with people who will support them when others turn their back on them.

I wonder if the atheist churches will be as hungry for money as religious churches?
 
Mindfull said:
From what I have seen American atheists have a terrible time with those who are religious. When Americans "come out" they are threatened, other members of their family don't talk to them anymore, it's terrible the way they are treated for not wanting to believe in the god delusion.
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I've been an atheist for 62 years and it rare impacts my life. Except for my hillbilly cousins nobody cares.
 
Mindfull said:
From what I have seen American atheists have a terrible time with those who are religious. When Americans "come out" they are threatened, other members of their family don't talk to them anymore, it's terrible the way they are treated for not wanting to believe in the god delusion.

I think it's a great idea & obviously gives those who do not want to believe in this or that god a place to meet with people who will support them when others turn their back on them.

I wonder if the atheist churches will be as hungry for money as religious churches?
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Why use religious terminology?
 
religion  

Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English religioun (< Old French religion ) < Latin religiōn- (stem of religiō ) conscientiousness, piety, equivalent to relig ( āre ) to tie, fasten ( re- re- + ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely
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This is how religion got started in the first place.

You can be in the KISS Army, Raider Nation, the Masons, Elk's Club, etc, but on principle alone atheists are solitary intellectual creatures.

People gathering to not believe in a god is the same thing as people gathering who do believe.
 
Well, if there's one thing atheism lacks and could do with a bit more of, it's spirituality.
 
There are no atheist churches, let alone atheist mega-churches. What's wrong with people? It's such a ridiculous proposition.

I even think that atheist gatherings are stupid, but at least they're not mega-stupid. Useless and irrelevant, though, for sure.
 
I was hoping that the video would show what actually goes on in these atheist churches. I have a strong sense that I'd feel uncomfortable with their religiosity, although there isn't much foundation for that idea. I think it's a reasonable guess, though. The photographs I've seen thus far do show people standing in pews singing with arms raised, which strikes me as odd. Would you want to get together with a bunch of people and sing songs anyway? And what do the 'preachers' talk about? A lack of belief in god? That lack of belief is a non-issue for me, so why would I want to focus on that on a weekly basis?

We have a national group called The University of the Third Age. Sounds cultish but it's actually just a bunch of retired university professors teaching one another about their areas of expertise. I have been allowed to gatecrash and I'm satisfied with that sort of gathering. It satisfies my intellectual curiosity and has nothing to do with religion or the lack thereof. If we must mention a sense of community, then it does satisfy, although I always got my sense of community from my friends.
 
Mindfull said:
I apologize for calling it the god delusion.
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I misunderstood you.

You meant why do, they, use religious terminology?

I would think because, religious terminology is intended to have a feeling of warmth, why can't atheists use similar terminology to create the warmth religious people feel when gathering together & praying?

I suspect that some religious people don't like seeing atheists acting as a warm & caring person, maybe they see atheists having a church as wrong because it gives equal status to their religious belief.

I don't feel the need to gather with like minded atheists for support when the world feels against me, but I think it's a great thing for those who do.
whatever it takes to give you peace of mind.

atheists can be loving, caring & supportive people to.
 
There is a very good arguement that not all clergy are kiddy fiddlers.

And some are just ********.

It works both ways

Edited by jhunter1163: 
Edited for Rule 10.
 
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Edx said:
Why call it a church?
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What would you call it instead? Serious question. People know what church is about; how would you convey the same sense of getting together on a regular basis to celebrate life and community, but without god or other irrational beliefs?

Gawdzilla said:
One more church I won't be going to.
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Well, you've already got the one in your avatar, though I prefer this one, which is providing alternatives to religious weddings, for example.
 
Delvo said:
If there's anything for you to apologize for here, it's your antiamerican bigotry.
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If that is how I have come across I will certainly apologise.I do not have an antiAmerican bone in my body, I'm not antianyone.
I do however fail to see how what I said above came across that way & would be grateful for your explanation as to why you thought that.
After all, the video talks about the USA, so that was the vain in which I kept my comments.
 
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