That's what congregations like the Unitarians are like. I go once a month to the local one, and I've been an atheist my entire life. I'd guess about half the people that there are, too, but no one really seems to mind one way or the other, as long as you're friendly and civil to everyone else. Mostly it's a discussion group, and I quite enjoy it.
I can confirm. I was raised in a Unitarian Universalist church, and there were a sizable minority (best guess is 10-20%) of adults who were mostly atheistic but wanted a deeper moral, spiritual, and ecological rooting than mainstream atheism provides.
If you haven't had the chance to check it out, Unitarian Universalism [1] is pretty much what you describe -- community and support for figuring out life's big stuff, without being tied to a creed. It is perfectly acceptable to be an atheist UU member. If you are in the northeast US there are many congregations around here.
Consider checking out your local UU (Unitarian Universalist) church if one exists. They're one of the few positioned to poach from the huge flock of "nones" without any change in belief.
UU is basically the church of be excellent to each other, yet whenever I go it's almost entirely old people. It's fun to chat and drink coffee with them, but I wonder where all the younger atheists/humanists are.
Atheism will always struggle to grow its ranks until it replaces the necessary features provided by religion. I'm an atheist/agnostic who spent a few years in a very cult-like christian denomination. I can say a lot of bad things about it, but it did help me to become more social and taught me a lot about the benefits of shared beliefs. Having a network of people to call on in times of need is priceless. Regular socialization and group participation helped me graduate from being an anti-social outcast.
You can form groups around hobbies and activities, but the bonds just aren't strong enough to overcome our natural tendencies to judge others or take offense at the slightest indiscretions.
I think a lot of people like me end up Unitarian Universalists just so they can gain some semblance of a community again.
I find myself jealous of these people. For the price of a little hypocrisy, you get to be part of a very supportive community. You get structure for your life, a large number of social gatherings, and a big pool of potential friends and romantic partners. I almost considered going to church just for that reason (back when I was in college and friends with a lot of devout Christians), but I couldn't stomach the hypocrisy of going to church as an atheist.
Perhaps somebody could start an "atheist church", but the concept is unpalatable to me. I don't want atheism to define my life in the same way belief defines the life of religious adherents. I don't want to attend atheist classes or listen to an atheist preacher or be around evangelical atheists. I just want a large community of people who stick together, follow a common moral code, support each other, and have regular social events.
They seem to be somewhat welcoming towards most major religions, but atheists still seem frowned upon. One could argue that the universe itself is a supreme being, but any scripture put forth would likely raise some questions.
I'm sure an atheist could successfully become a member, but I doubt many are trying to as the original post joked.
I don’t understand atheist online communities like you talk about. I’m very much an atheist, but I’m baffled by anyone who desires to have atheist get-togethers. What is the point? is it like fake bacon for people who like the taste of being preached to and preaching, but are atheist? Religious people do it because their are supposed to but what reason would atheists do it? When you were exploring atheism why did you go?
Eh, kind of. There's a no atheists allowed rule last I checked (A belief in a supreme being and scripture is a condition of membership), but they're not picky about what god(s) you might worship.
As I mentioned on another comment: I am a Unitarian Universalist and an athiest, married to a seminarian in the religion. Happy to answer questions about UU and what it's like. It has definitely made me far less lonely to belong to the UU community, and I don't feel pressured to "believe" anything I don't want to.
Yeah, but everybody you'll meet will be religious. I often think that "atheism" needs to set up structures to care for the lonely, too. Basically I think that is what the church is (among other things), they are a company catering to lonely people.
Of course lots of my friends are (moderately) religious, too, but it always leaves me uneasy. Because the things I am really interested in (evolution theory, science, artificial intelligence, science fiction, economics...) are incompatible with their beliefs. So I'll never even try to start any deep conversations with them.
The Unitarian Universalists exist. It's not really non-religious, but it is inviting to non-theist people, or those who don't otherwise believe in the supernatural.
reply