alpha centauri Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 I haven't had a chance to attend one of these, but I find the idea interesting -- churches for nonbelievers to gather and fellowship. Here's a link to one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: http://churchoffreethought.org/ And here's a link to one in the Houston area: http://www.hcof.org/index.asp *** I think it's a good idea for groups with similar shared beliefs -- or non-beliefs -- to gather together. It's nice to see that there are fellowships that aren't based on a belief in god or gods that can come together and offer each other support and encouragement. I know some will find similar fellowship in a Unitarian-Univeralist Church, but for many, there's too much of an emphasis on spiritual matters in that church, even though atheists are also welcome there. Have any of you attended a freethought fellowship? What do you think about them being called churches? Good idea? Misleading? Off-putting to many who might otherwise be interested in such gatherings? What do you think are the best benefits of these secular churches? What are their possible shortcomings?
HymenaeusAlexander Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 What are their possible shortcomings? Off the top of my head, it seems that such things would give credibility to the claim that atheism is a religion. Not that it necessarily would support that notion in any real way, but you know believers will be sure to point it out.
Guest MadameX Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 What are their possible shortcomings? Off the top of my head, it seems that such things would give credibility to the claim that atheism is a religion. Not that it necessarily would support that notion in any real way, but you know believers will be sure to point it out. Guess I am one of those Atheist 2.0 types that is not really afraid of the word religion anymore. The word has its roots in the the Latin, meaning 'to bind.' Fellowship has got to be the biggest benefit of being part of a religion, as well as working together for common goals. I think it is well worth the effort. We are a social species. We thrive in the company of others. Besides, getting some of that awesome American tax break would sure help when having to pay the rent.
HymenaeusAlexander Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Guess I am one of those Atheist 2.0 types that is not really afraid of the word religion anymore. The word has its roots in the the Latin, meaning 'to bind.' Fellowship has got to be the biggest benefit of being part of a religion, as well as working together for common goals. I think it is well worth the effort. We are a social species. We thrive in the company of others. Besides, getting some of that awesome American tax break would sure help when having to pay the rent. I can respect that. I'm not there yet. But I can respect that position. For whatever reason I still seem to care what believers think. Perhaps someday I'll be like Spiderman when it comes to what they think:
SquareOne Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Lol, reading the thread, I was about to say the same thing. HECK, I don't care what you think, I'll do it anyway. Off the top of my head, it seems that such things would give credibility to the claim that atheism is a religion. To which I would say, I don't give a tiny rat's ass. As to the church itself, I would sure like to a attend one. But Houston's a hella long way from England.
HymenaeusAlexander Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 As to the church itself, I would sure like to a attend one. But Houston's a hella long way from England. There is one a bit closer to you than Houston. 1
florduh Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Off the top of my head, it seems that such things would give credibility to the claim that atheism is a religion. Amen. We already have a PR problem, why add to it? Theists already misunderstand non-believers, why help them remain confused about it? They already see us as mad at god, wanting to sin or worshiping the devil. Also, the claim would now have validity since the definition of "church" is a "place of worship" or an organized group of particular believers. Church is for believers. Freethinkers are free of dogma. Missing the activities and the phony friends from the old days isn't reason to create a "church" that believes in not believing. How free is that?
mwc Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 From their FAQ: "If someone dressed in chaps, spurs, and a Stetson herded cattle mounted on a zebra, would we refuse to call him a cowboy? Of course not. The NTCOF is and does everything that any other church does but without supernaturalism and without imposing doctrines and dogmas on its members." Ummm??? I think we might refuse. Sounds like a dude. I think we might call him a lot of things but "cowboy" is probably not going to roll right off the tongue without some hard-fought effort. mwc
qadeshet Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 A place for Freethinkers to meet and share ideas is great. But why call it a Church unless you're trying to get tax exempt status? I would prefer a Freethought coffee house. 1
MissingLink Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Hmmm.....as a new atheist, I didn't even know about these kinds of things, so I'm not sure what I think about it.....I clicked on the links posted by both AC and Stryper, and on the surface, they seem very nice. I don't like seeing it called a church, though. At least in the U.S., "church" is synonymous with "house of worship", and as we aren't worshipping anything, it's innaccurate and misleading. Also, "church" has a negative connotation for many ex-christians. Even if it were called something else, though, I don't know if I would want to be a part of something again that is organized in a church-like way. Seeing "Sunday School" on the list sort of creeps me out. Also, I kind of like having my Sunday mornings free after a life-time of getting up for church every Sunday. I thought that was an atheist "perk"! But I do know that I would like to meet with other humanists/atheists for social or humanitarian reasons......so I guess if the opportunity presented itself, I might check it out.
SquareOne Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 As to the church itself, I would sure like to a attend one. But Houston's a hella long way from England. There is one a bit closer to you than Houston. Thanks Alexander -- quite a lot closer! Just to the other end of the country! A mere four hour drive, or two and a half hour £60 train journey. ...which to a British person is like going to the Moon.
SquareOne Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 A place for Freethinkers to meet and share ideas is great. But why call it a Church unless you're trying to get tax exempt status? I would prefer a Freethought coffee house. Last I checked coffee houses were doing pretty well on the tax exempt status too! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19967397
RipVanWinkle Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 I was a member of an atheist/agnostic/freethinker group that met twice a month. It was a good experience but it was pretty much limited to education about Xtianity and its history. There wasn't much in the way of emotional support for the members, like discussions about the individual experiences, and the effects of deconversion on them. The leader pretty much ran the meetings without much participation by the members. bill
midniterider Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 I haven't had a chance to attend one of these, but I find the idea interesting -- churches for nonbelievers to gather and fellowship. Here's a link to one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: http://churchoffreethought.org/ And here's a link to one in the Houston area: http://www.hcof.org/index.asp *** I think it's a good idea for groups with similar shared beliefs -- or non-beliefs -- to gather together. It's nice to see that there are fellowships that aren't based on a belief in god or gods that can come together and offer each other support and encouragement. I know some will find similar fellowship in a Unitarian-Univeralist Church, but for many, there's too much of an emphasis on spiritual matters in that church, even though atheists are also welcome there. Have any of you attended a freethought fellowship? What do you think about them being called churches? Good idea? Misleading? Off-putting to many who might otherwise be interested in such gatherings? What do you think are the best benefits of these secular churches? What are their possible shortcomings? What would people talk about at one of these 'services?' Bash Christianity? I can do that here. :-) We have a atheist freethinker meetup in my town and I thought it might be interesting to go at first but being an arrogant pagan/agnostic I may not agree with what they have to say. :-) But if there is coffee involved it might be fun to get out of the house...
midniterider Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Guess I am one of those Atheist 2.0 types that is not really afraid of the word religion anymore. The word has its roots in the the Latin, meaning 'to bind.' Fellowship has got to be the biggest benefit of being part of a religion, as well as working together for common goals. I think it is well worth the effort. We are a social species. We thrive in the company of others. Besides, getting some of that awesome American tax break would sure help when having to pay the rent. I might say, "You're damned right Atheism is a religion, I'm getting a fabulous tax break with my Church of Atheism and, oh yeah, I'm stealing a lot of the Christian church's customers...." Nothing like healthy competition.
Guest MadameX Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 Guess I am one of those Atheist 2.0 types that is not really afraid of the word religion anymore. The word has its roots in the the Latin, meaning 'to bind.' Fellowship has got to be the biggest benefit of being part of a religion, as well as working together for common goals. I think it is well worth the effort. We are a social species. We thrive in the company of others. Besides, getting some of that awesome American tax break would sure help when having to pay the rent. I might say, "You're damned right Atheism is a religion, I'm getting a fabulous tax break with my Church of Atheism and, oh yeah, I'm stealing a lot of the Christian church's customers...." Nothing like healthy competition. and lovin the weekly$ take, I mean tithe
alpha centauri Posted February 1, 2013 Author Posted February 1, 2013 Here's a link to a Dallas Freethought Fellowship meeting. They broadcast a few minutes of their service online and it has nothing to do with christianity or religion, no bashing, etc. http://www.youtube.com/user/fofdallas
alpha centauri Posted February 1, 2013 Author Posted February 1, 2013 An a recap from a Freethought convention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w6fKtRkSc8
Jose Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 I dropped out of my Jacksonville area Freethinkers Local 188 Union (I'm kidding about the name, but it would have been cooler) because I can sum up every conversation I ever had with any member as follows: "So you an atheist or agnostic?" "Atheist." "Former christian?" "Catholic, yeah." *20 - 30 minute angry monologue-styled ranting about the harm christianity in general and catholicism in particular does in the world ending in - "I bet that's why you're an atheist too, huh?" "No. It's because there's no compelling evidence for the existence of any gods." "Oh... you're one of those 'scientific atheists,' huh? You probably play roleplaying games too." "Yeah. Why? What does that have to do with anything?" "It's just that all of you do." *wanders off*
stryper Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 sooooo......that means you don't approve Jose? or is it more an example of how tribal humans really are in putting people into groups and excluding those that "don't belong"?
DrNo Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 It is an interesting idea, and I think it could be especially useful for those of us that live in the Bible belt where just about everyone you meet professes to be a Christian (even though they often don't act like it). I would want to check it out before I pass judgement on it, and maybe I will since I visit Dallas to see family. Also, for those of us who are in the "unequally yoked with kids" club it could provide a nice counterbalance to take the kids to that sort of Sunday School. Undoubtedly one of the things that makes Christianity so hard to get out of is the social component, and the fact that there is often no social support when you get out. That's what makes this site so important. But nothing can replace flesh-and-blood connections. If people can find those here, great. I'm not a fan of calling it "church," but at the same time maybe it will make the transition easier for some folks. Then again, maybe it would make it harder for others. But then again, maybe some Christian family walks in seeing the word "church" and discovers that atheists are not that bad after all. So there's arguments on both sides.
alpha centauri Posted February 2, 2013 Author Posted February 2, 2013 DrNo, it's not a church, but there is an active group of freethinkers in San Antonio that gets together for fellowship and family events. Here's a link: http://www.meetup.com/Freethinkers-Association-of-Central-Texas-F-A-C-T/ I wish I was close enough. I'm located about two hours north of Austin and two hours south of Dallas. There is a freethinkers group in Killeen, but it looks like it's geared to military folks.
DrNo Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 Where are you AC? I have not moved to San Antonio yet (soon) and am in the Temple/Belton arAC for now. You sound close to where I'm at. Maybe we should get coffee sometime.
DrNo Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 *area. Writing on Kindle and there is no edit button.
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