Atheist Religious Service

wil

wil

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What I hear from my Atheist, my non religious, my agnostic friends is that what they feel they miss that religious folks have is the group, the congregation, the fellowship, the working together that churches, synagogues, mosques have.

Sure they have their environmental group, or telescope group, or whatever hobbies they have...but religious folks have that too....

What they don't have is that meeting of minds where you get together for a common good, for personal growth outside of those hobbies...

What they don't have is a network to fall back on on bad times, and to support in good times...

I keep asking them what would that look like...and they speak of some sort of personal development club...

What are your thoughts?
 
My first thought is that the network most people fall back on first is their family and close friends. Atheist or otherwise.

Have to admit though that I am not a 'joiner' kind of person. Many people, probably most people, find a fulfillment in being part of a larger group dynamic. Indeed it has been my experience that many identify who they are through their group.

That's never been me though. I find group dynamics quite annoying actually! I pick the individuals 'I' enjoy being with. Not always like minded in beliefs, but like minded in how they present their thoughts and views. Open minded people who are willing to honestly discuss where we agree and where we do not. There are no passive aggressive people in my chosen group. No bullies. No pompous azzes. No energy vampires. No closed minded dullards.

When one picks the group, one accepts all the kinds of people who make up that group, including many of the negative personalities that I have no desire to deal with.

So my answer is that a group for atheists is not necessarily needed. And that one thing for sure such a group would not be is a 'religious service'! Atheism is not a religion.
 
I’ve said this before, but being a Jewish atheist means I have a foot in both camps. I get to go to secular Jewish services with other atheist Jews. Unitarians, for the most part, also don’t believe in a traditional God but they have weekly church services. There’s also the Ethical Culture Society which provides non-theistic humanistic services in a congregational setting and has been doing so since 1876.
 
I believe unitarians are open to all thought...as are the jewish atheists accepted in synagogues...where atheists/agnostics in Christianity and Islam isn't really there...

I'm thinking an atheist service might be a gathering for personal growth, awareness, motivational...improving yourself thru science (scientology without the wu)
 
Marcialou,
If it isn't too personal, I would be very interested to hear why you choose to go to those services. Being the services are secular, and being you are an atheist, what benefit to you receive from attending.

If you would prefer not to answer I would completely understand.
 
GKnot,

No it’s not too personal. I’m glad you asked.

I go to secular services for the High Holidays: Rosh Hashana (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). We recite "prayers" of sorts, that allows each of us, individually, to reflect upon our past year and commit ourselves to trying to make the next year better. Because we are a secular group, most of us are not making the commitment to God but to ourselves.

Many of our readings parallel those found in traditional services. There’s a traditional one that catalogs all our sins. It’s reads in part:

We have given bad advice, we have falsified, we have made fun of others, we have rebelled, we have cursed others, we have strayed from the proper path, have turned others away, we have committed crimes, we have been wicked, we have been stiff-necked.

Our version is something like this:

---Are we patient with our children or are we quick to snap at them?
---Do we take pleasure in the small things of life or are we overly attached to our material possessions?
---Do we walk lightly on the earth or do we squander the its resources?

We sing songs. We light candles. We listen to the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn). It sounds like a cross between a trumpet and a bleat. It’s a wake-up call. It metaphorically says “Life is short. Make good use of your remaining time.” There is also a time when individuals can stand up and recite the names of the loved ones who died in the past year.

These services provide me with a respite from the mundane thoughts and activities of daily life. It gives me a feeling of connection with my people’s ancient and not so ancient past and with Jews around the world who are celebrating in a similar, if more Godly way. It offers the community that many atheists find lacking in their lives.

I celebrate other holidays throughout the year with family and friends.

I hope this answers your questions.
 
Seems a large percentage of Jews are atheist or agnostic or simply don't consider it much...it is the tradition, the being part of a larger group that appeals...

marci....ever count the omer?
 
quite interesting.... there is one supposed to be trying to start near me... Sept 28th is their big day opening assemblies all over the world so 100 will be going on that day (looks like most of those will be starting that day)

Watching San Diego's first day where the fearless leader kicked off a new location...interesting stuff, but I don't see a meeting still going on now...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjd_U4Y_l54

Right now it appears they are trying to hard...forcing something.....(I guess like Paul?)
 
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