Sometimes I run into those who think it is a good tactic to try to replace old dogmatism, with a new book. And I also even outside this think it is a BAD idea, for atheists to have "atheist churches". It sounds harmless right now, many may be in them with good intent to reject the past .
The problem with forming any group is that it can even if harmless while small, grow to become a dogmatic force getting into politics.
There is no need for an atheist movement to mimic the tactics of religion to compete with it. And what can be viewed as harmless does not mean always harmless in the future.
We have to remember that L Ron Hubbard started a religion, just to prove he could. To say that atheists cannot take a group and become abusive in the future by turning it into a loyalty oath is an ignorance of our species behavior.
It is extremely important that the word "atheist" is not turned into a religion, a form of worship, a social order, a political party, a moral code or loyalty oath. It is a mere position. "Off" on one claim. Outside that we are just as diverse. It is not to say we should not group to advocate for the things we do agree on. Just that it should not be treated as a gang.
But as far as the "Satanic bible" we don't need that anymore than the bible. It is a work of fiction just like the bible. It should not be treated as anything else more than fiction. The word "Satan" itself is a Christian concept. Not to mention the God/Satan characters, even if viewed as fiction, I don't find either moral. Both are merely poker players in that book and humans are the poker chips.
Our species behavior is in us, not the books or clubs we flock to. We can find stories in all sorts of fiction without putting those things in the realm of worship or philosophies.
Our species ability to be cruel or compassionate is in our evolution and are explained by the natural sciences like psychology, psychiatry, neurology and evolution. Everything outside that is merely our own personal likes.
Using fiction to reflect our desires or social norms is fine, but those things cannot be used like a telescope. It also would not shock me if Star Wars or Harry Potter got turned into a religion. Atheists don't need to go that route.
The problem with forming any group is that it can even if harmless while small, grow to become a dogmatic force getting into politics.
There is no need for an atheist movement to mimic the tactics of religion to compete with it. And what can be viewed as harmless does not mean always harmless in the future.
We have to remember that L Ron Hubbard started a religion, just to prove he could. To say that atheists cannot take a group and become abusive in the future by turning it into a loyalty oath is an ignorance of our species behavior.
It is extremely important that the word "atheist" is not turned into a religion, a form of worship, a social order, a political party, a moral code or loyalty oath. It is a mere position. "Off" on one claim. Outside that we are just as diverse. It is not to say we should not group to advocate for the things we do agree on. Just that it should not be treated as a gang.
But as far as the "Satanic bible" we don't need that anymore than the bible. It is a work of fiction just like the bible. It should not be treated as anything else more than fiction. The word "Satan" itself is a Christian concept. Not to mention the God/Satan characters, even if viewed as fiction, I don't find either moral. Both are merely poker players in that book and humans are the poker chips.
Our species behavior is in us, not the books or clubs we flock to. We can find stories in all sorts of fiction without putting those things in the realm of worship or philosophies.
Our species ability to be cruel or compassionate is in our evolution and are explained by the natural sciences like psychology, psychiatry, neurology and evolution. Everything outside that is merely our own personal likes.
Using fiction to reflect our desires or social norms is fine, but those things cannot be used like a telescope. It also would not shock me if Star Wars or Harry Potter got turned into a religion. Atheists don't need to go that route.
