Problems with atheism

[Cinjin]

There is no equivalent to the parish priest to whom I can take my troubles.

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...

Yes, of course. But in my example I was in a hurry, I didn't have time to look for communities to join. I needed advice - RIGHT THEN.

Also, local atheist "groups" do crop up. ... Search around your area.

I have. There are some humanists. They are a load of old fuddy-duddies. That's it.

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.

You are obviously a gregarious person who finds no problem making friends etc. I'm not like that. I'm pretty insular, and it's extremely seldom that I would ask anyone for advice about anything. So I had no personal "advice network" that i had built up over time. Yet suddenly I was hurled into a really difficult moral dilemma, and when I cast around for help the ONLY person available was the local church minister.

And you know, it may turn out that when actually put to a severe test, your network of advice givers might in fact not prove to be quite as reliable as you suppose.

I suggest the fact that atheists so readily dismiss the value of the priest role in society is a terrific weakness in the viability of atheism as a socially acceptable philosophy.

Something smells a little off about this post. I may have to call Bull Shit, but I'll hold off for now.
I think you are making too many excuses. Are you a poser? Are you a sheep in wolves' clothing? Twice now you've adamantly declared the strength of community in the church and have commended the aide that a priest can give. It's almost as if you're trying to convince us ..... hmmmm?

Your name is godnose (god knows?). When given options by atheists who would certainly know of communal outlets, you simply scoff them off. I am a member of a free-thinkers/humanists group here in Michigan and there are plenty of young people. All ages from all types of backgrounds. Find another group to associate with - there are far more than one.

More importantly if you're truly not a poser and actually are interested in making social connections - start taking advice from people like summerqueen and rhythm instead of blowing it off. If you're truly non-religious, than stop making excuses. If you're a religious poser, come clean and say what you came here to say.

Cheers.