What Would An Atheist Church Look Like

[ShimShamSam]

I know it's kind of against the atheist way to have a church, but if we did, what do you think it would look like? I think there might actually be a few out there. But I think it'd probably look like a coffee shop. And it'd probably more like a safe house than a church . Any thoughts on a hypothetical atheist church?

[McQ]

I'm not sure, but it is fun to speculate. I do know that the UU church accepts atheists into their midst.

[Will]

How about a big round-table discussion where we discuss anything and everything? That could be fun. And the building could have books on science and logic, literature and history. Even philosophy! Old science journal articles going back years and covering every conceivable topic.

People could come to teach and learn; to expand their understandings and expand those around them. There would be no necessary rank, just an understanding that some people are better educated in some areas than others.

We could call it the Happy Atheist Forum and Library.

[tacoma_kyle]

Would NOT call it a church.

[ShimShamSam]

Yes i wouldn't really call it a church, like i said, it might be more like a safe house or place of refuge . But yes Willravel, good point about no rank, that's something I've been meaning to say about atheism, their is no ranking for atheism, certainly there are those more respected than others, like Richard Dawkins, but we're all equal because we all look at it our own way.

[LARA]

Sometimes I think atheists should somehow start taking advantage of the tax free status religions get and the power and government protection that organizing gives religion, so having meeting places would be handy in this.  I get the feeling, though, that we are all a very disparate group and in the minority so organizing would be a challenge, especially for those of us entrenched in rural religious communities.  I like the idea of a coffee shop or library atmosphere.

[Will]

The real problem, though, is that a place like this would, actually be an atheist church. That kinda flies in the face of what it means to be atheist. In order to make such a place, you'd need funds. You'd get funds through donations solicited from the atheist community, essentially advertising our beliefs in order to solicit cash. And in order to maintain such a place, the cash-flow would need to continue, which means more donations. It runs the risk of becoming an atheist version of the church, which is something I'm sure none of us want.

What may be better is simply meeting in public places and having discussions and debates about this and that. A park or coffee shop makes sense, or having someone host a dinner.

[susangail]

I don't care for the idea of an organized atheist 'church' but the simple idea of meeting somewhere sounds great. Aren't there conventions or something? I may not be thinking of the right thing...

[ShimShamSam]

Conventions and casual meetings are nice, but it would be kind of nice to have a place of our own. Even if it's just one atheist with a big house who always has an open invitation. You know, we may all show up one night, like 20 of us and raid his fridge. But we're not running this out of some guys room who lives in his mothers basement.

[Will]

My doors are always open to anyone.

[ShimShamSam]

Well I do appreciate the offer Willravel, that might be the point of this forum, to bring together atheists who can't make it all the way to San Francisco lol

[SteveS]

The coffee shop sounds good, but what's wrong with a bar?  :wink:

[MommaSquid]

^ Yeah.  Bars can serve coffee but coffee shops can't serve beer.

[Will]

Re: bar
I can handle a caffeinated fundy, but a liquored up fundy could end up with a physical altercation. Thus atheist conversation would probably be better at a coffee shop. Or an organic tea shop!

[SteveS]

Haha, yeah, I was actually suggesting that a hypothetical "atheist church" should resemble a bar.  :wink:  

I certainly agree that ticking off drunk fundies is probably a bad idea.