Why aren't there athiest churches?

[SomewhereInND]

Not enough money in athiesm

[Sophus]

I remember reading about one that was set up by a former bishop who lost his religion but still felt the need for community and ethical teachings. I don't remember the name of it or where it was though.

[fazFwQo83]

Sweet! I'm now a legally ordained minister at The First Church of Atheism.

Ha ha. Kickass! Me too! I wonder how much I can charge for weddings? This is gonna be soooo awesome.

[metaed]

In the US, there are atheist fellowships. I volunteer at a couple. They meet in nonreligious public buildings---a hotel and a community center. And there are the Unitarians. Most Unitarians are very receptive to atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and they generally have their own church buildings. You don't (yet) see the sort of private malls that the modern megachurches build, just because there are not (yet) enough of us concentrated in one geographical area to make it affordable.

I think it's interesting how megachurches are modernizing their message to attract patrons. Instead of preaching hell fire, self sacrifice, and rewards in the next life, they are much more about enjoying life in the here and now---look up the so-called prosperity gospel. If this trend continues, I suggest that tomorrow's megachurches will BE atheist.

[Thumpalumpacus]

If this trend continues, I suggest that tomorrow's megachurches will BE atheist.

In effect, if not by proclamation, sure.  They already worship the dollar.

[Inevitable Droid]

I'm so much of a scientarian that if a Chapel of Science existed, and wasn't too far away, and what went on there was weekly communal gatherings, with inspirational readings out loud from a pulpit, the airing of brief YouTube clips on a big screen, a leader talking to us about how great science is, the community singing some cool anthems lauding discovery and invention, and then coffee and cake afterward - I would go, because I would enjoy it.

[Parsifal]

Not enough money in athiesm

We can change that, if more high power atheists would come out of the closet.

[The Magic Pudding]

Not enough money in athiesm

We can change that, if more high power atheists would come out of the closet.

I don't think so, the dodgy preachers lie trick and steal.
They use techniques developed over centuries that elicit trust in some people.
To me their every move makes me distrust them more.
I may buy a book if I can't borrow it, but I'm not leaving my house to Dawkins to ease my way into a non existent next life.

[Asmodean]

Uh... Why would we WANT atheist churches..?  

Can we not congregate without the facade of organised religion? Why not have atheist poker clubs in stead? Or societies like HAF, only "IRL"..?

[Inevitable Droid]

Uh... Why would we WANT atheist churches..?  

Can we not congregate without the facade of organised religion? Why not have atheist poker clubs in stead? Or societies like HAF, only "IRL"..?

There's certainly no need to call the things churches if we don't want to.  We can call them whatever we want, like, say, feelgood assemblies.  If there were a Scientarian Feelgood Assembly that met weekly near my home for inspirational talks, movies, and readings on the topic of science and how awesome it is, plus coffee and cake, I would attend.

The only reason to try to establish something called a church is so we could claim to have clergy, and the only value inherent in that is the fact that in America, clergy can legally officiate at weddings.  If I want an atheist to officiate at my wedding, that atheist must either be clergy or else must have some other legally recognized role that permits officiation.

[Asmodean]

If I want an atheist to officiate at my wedding, that atheist must either be clergy or else must have some other legally recognized role that permits officiation.

Can't a judge do that..? Or like... A ship's captain..?  :hmm:

[The Magic Pudding]

If I want an atheist to officiate at my wedding, that atheist must either be clergy or else must have some other legally recognized role that permits officiation.

Can't a judge do that..? Or like... A ship's captain..?  :hmm:

I was made married by a celebrant, on a boat on Botany Bay.

[Inevitable Droid]

Can't a judge do that..? Or like... A ship's captain..?  :hmm:

Sure!  And if atheist - mission accomplished!

None of this makes sense unless, for a particular couple, it really matters that the officiant be atheist.  Presumably this would mean that atheism matters not only to both members of the couple, but to the relationship itself.  For example, perhaps they met on an atheist message board like this one, or at a freethought fellowship meeting.  Or perhaps they work together as activists on behalf of secularism.  Or perhaps they made a solemn vow to raise their children atheist, and they want that vow to be consecrated as part of the wedding ceremony.

[Asmodean]

I think I get it...

As far as I know, here, there are provincial officials who do out-of-church weddings and religion, or lack thereof, is not a part of the ceremony in such cases... Basically, you sign some papers, exchange some precious metals and live happily until divorse.

[Inevitable Droid]

Here are some videos one might present at a Scientarian Feelgood Assembly.

[youtube:1nu6z4e2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erut8tMlEoQ[/youtube:1nu6z4e2]

[youtube:1nu6z4e2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vioZf4TjoUI[/youtube:1nu6z4e2]