I would like to address a important problem within the rational and skeptical community.This problem is about the need for community especially for people who are fresh out of religion,and how that need causes that person to fall into communities that are similar to religion.Unfortunately humans will always seek someone or something to belong to and as a result,a person will never be able to freely express themselves to others because they fear being outcasted by the group whos company they have come to rely on for support.Pz myers and freethought blogs do just this.They take people who have freshly left religion but are in need of community.They offer it in exchange you must pledge your loyalty to them and join there cause.Individuals who are in the group are reluctant to "bite the hand that feeds them" and pretend simply agree so they can avoid criticism and being disowned by the group.Another issue i have with them is they try to force people to subscribe to certain world views in order to be an atheist.This only lends fuel to theists who claim atheism is a religion.

I want to hear your thoughts on this and tell me where iam wrong if you find flaws.

(May 3, 2014 at 4:40 am)Mothonis_Cathicgal Wrote: I want to hear your thoughts on this and tell me where iam wrong if you find flaws.

Becoming an atheist doesn't change the mental and psychological needs we have developed over our lives and which affect pretty much everyone in some way. Above all we have a desire to fit in and be accepted by the group, as would be expected of creatures who thrive in social groups and community settings. Freeing yourself from religion doesn't free you from the desire to act religious, that is, to seek out a tribe to belong to.

I'm not defending or attacking Atheism+, as I know very little about it and have not been exposed to whatever it is they are doing right or wrong. They may simply be drawing the same boundary lines we tend to draw as social creatures, without realizing it (or for marketing purposes, perhaps they do realize it). It might even be beneficial in helping those who are having a hard time dealing with their new-found atheism make the transition to a more self-confident view of themselves, I dunno.

I agree with Tonus that a lot of the social needs that are fulfilled by church fellowship leave a vacuum when one leaves. I also am opposed personally to any sort of atheist church, where one makes any sort of declaration of faith (or lack thereof) or performs any rites or rituals, even under the premise that there is no god. Not for me.

I do love being involved in my local atheist community, though. I am in the Nashville Atheists meetup group. They do hikes, 'Bowling with the Heathens,' 'Karaoke with the Heathens,' (they like the Heathens trope), dinners, singles events, all of it.

It must be said: I've never been a Christian. I'd never had the feeling like I was not a minority. The first time I actually was in the majority---was nearly overwhelming. You don't know what you're missing if you don't do something organized with a group of atheists.

My first even was a baby BBQ... just so much fun.

(May 3, 2014 at 6:41 pm)SteelCurtain Wrote: I agree with Tonus that a lot of the social needs that are fulfilled by church fellowship leave a vacuum when one leaves. I also am opposed personally to any sort of atheist church, where one makes any sort of declaration of faith (or lack thereof) or performs any rites or rituals, even under the premise that there is no god. Not for me.

I do love being involved in my local atheist community, though. I am in the Nashville Atheists meetup group. They do hikes, 'Bowling with the Heathens,' 'Karaoke with the Heathens,' (they like the Heathens trope), dinners, singles events, all of it.

It must be said: I've never been a Christian. I'd never had the feeling like I was not a minority. The first time I actually was in the majority---was nearly overwhelming. You don't know what you're missing if you don't do something organized with a group of atheists.

My first even was a baby BBQ... just so much fun.

It sounds great,being with a community is fine so long its not one that demands you believe everything they say and welcomes individuals.I would love to but Coolidge doesn't have Atheist groups.

You sure? Tried meetup.com?

There's one in Phoenix, assuming that you're in Coolidge, AZ.

Not philosophy.

(May 3, 2014 at 8:29 pm)SteelCurtain Wrote: You sure? Tried meetup.com?

There's one in Phoenix, assuming that you're in Coolidge, AZ.

Its not easy for me to get out of town.

(May 3, 2014 at 10:40 pm)bennyboy Wrote: Not philosophy.

Really?Isn't beliefs about whats good and bad philosophical?