Problems with atheism

[thesummerqueen]

One of my big problems about atheism is the lack of community. Something that religions do well is to provide a community structure and support system. There is no equivalent for the atheist. There is no such thing as an "atheist community". There is no equivalent to the parish priest to whom I can take my troubles.

Don't need one! There are many other communities you CAN join because you're free! For instance, I've been slowly putting my feet into the skeptic community and making friends. I'm just going to plug them right now - they are the absolute best people outside of this board to get to know. They are amazing. And most of them are atheists as well. Community doesn't have to be the same as a church.

Also, local atheist "groups" do crop up. I belong (though I'm not as active as I should be) to the Charlotte Atheists & Agnostics, and that serves as a nice physical meet-up. Search around your area.

And just for me personally, none of my "advice" givers are family, and only one of them is on this board, and a couple of them are theists. These are people I've met at various jobs I've had or other ways - no need for them to be any sort of authority figure.