I thought, Godnose, that I would answer to your initial post, instead of trying to emerge myself in the debates that's going on already.
I do not feel that there's any problem of being an atheist. I do not lack the sense of a community and have never come across such a problem.
As for there not being an equivalent for your parish priest; you don't know many people, do you? And just because he was probably such a great guy that he didn't judge you for your atheism, it doesn't say much about his profession. It just says a lot about his character. It's not the fault of atheism, if you don't have people in your life that you feel like you can rely on. Since I don't know the slightest about your relations, I'm not going to dwell on it any further. This is just how you come across to me.
I say that sound advice should be listened to, no matter where it comes from. If I want advice I ask my friends, and there is a mixture of pagans, muslims, christians, agnositcs and atheists alike. I would be a fool if I sieved out advice, just because the person I was getting it from wasn't an atheist. If I want opinions on a matter that isn't in my nearest circles, I tend to see what people on this forum has to say. To slight internet acquaintances is also foolish, from here I get a larger perspective, not colored by the cultural aspects of my own country. As always, advice should be listened to, but in the one has to decide for himself if it's worth listening to. On the other hand I can understand if you're one of those who prefer to speak about pressing matters with someone face to face. For me, the anonymity of the internet forums is wonderful.
An atheist church sounds like bad idea to me, but obviously it's something you wish for. In that case, why don't you do something about it? If you believe your idea to be great and that many would benefit from having such a gathering, then you could be the one to make it happen. Problems can't be solved by wishing them away, you have to actively work on them. I don't know how big a community you live in, but if it's possible and there's other atheists around, why not start this as a project yourself?
Do you care to tell us what your moral dilemma was? I'm curious to know, though I understand if you do not want to reveal it here.
I do not feel that there's any problem of being an atheist. I do not lack the sense of a community and have never come across such a problem.
As for there not being an equivalent for your parish priest; you don't know many people, do you? And just because he was probably such a great guy that he didn't judge you for your atheism, it doesn't say much about his profession. It just says a lot about his character. It's not the fault of atheism, if you don't have people in your life that you feel like you can rely on. Since I don't know the slightest about your relations, I'm not going to dwell on it any further. This is just how you come across to me.
I say that sound advice should be listened to, no matter where it comes from. If I want advice I ask my friends, and there is a mixture of pagans, muslims, christians, agnositcs and atheists alike. I would be a fool if I sieved out advice, just because the person I was getting it from wasn't an atheist. If I want opinions on a matter that isn't in my nearest circles, I tend to see what people on this forum has to say. To slight internet acquaintances is also foolish, from here I get a larger perspective, not colored by the cultural aspects of my own country. As always, advice should be listened to, but in the one has to decide for himself if it's worth listening to. On the other hand I can understand if you're one of those who prefer to speak about pressing matters with someone face to face. For me, the anonymity of the internet forums is wonderful.
An atheist church sounds like bad idea to me, but obviously it's something you wish for. In that case, why don't you do something about it? If you believe your idea to be great and that many would benefit from having such a gathering, then you could be the one to make it happen. Problems can't be solved by wishing them away, you have to actively work on them. I don't know how big a community you live in, but if it's possible and there's other atheists around, why not start this as a project yourself?
Do you care to tell us what your moral dilemma was? I'm curious to know, though I understand if you do not want to reveal it here.
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
