Let's get this religion thing sorted...

[thesummerqueen]

That's exactly what I'm trying to do. Unfortunately I seem to be crap at it.

OK, look, (a) this is not a sure proven method or anything, it's just an idea and (b) it probably won't sound particularly original. But I've thought and thought and thought about it, and it seems to me the only chance there is of de-powering existing religions.

Whatever you like to think about religions, you have to admit that it's proved to be a pretty darned effective way of getting loads of folks to all dance to the same tune. So my suggestion basically is simply this: Copy their methods only steer folk in the right direction instead of a wrong one.

I know it seems like we're all pissing in your cheerios (though I promise we're not all bad) so I hope you realize I'm not trying to be especially bitchy or anything - I just want to point out a few flaws in the ideas you have that I see. I realize from your comments in your first thread that it's not as easy for everyone and that any of my opinions come from my own experience and those of my friends. Just getting that out of the way.

I realize that others may not have the luxury, but here in Charlotte there is an area specific forum who meets up on a regular basis to do social functions, to do volunteer and charity work, etc. They're incredibly welcoming.

I know you don't like the reception you received on this forum, but my personal experience is that before you try to ask the hard questions of any group you should first establish a little cred. The core group of us are familiar with each other and quite loving - and also quite welcoming to new comers, as you will see from just about every introductory post. As an atheist, I'm sure you're at least somewhat familiar with the habit of people trolling our forums and virtual hang outs. It makes us suspicious.

Now, we've all heard the line that "atheists have nothing in common" other than the fact that we don't believe in gods. The thing about religions, no matter how many permutations they have, is that they are all under one major heading, following the message and supernatural ideas you mentioned. Atheists don't have that. Some of us might have similar interests, but the best you could hope for is a community center that catered to a diverse group. If you want something more like a church with the organizing power of a belief system, atheists would have to congregate with their particular philosophical systems. I know there is actually a humanistic Jewish "movement" that meets up, but my problem is that on Friday nights I'd rather be shooting the shit about agriculture and smartassery with Rhythm than discussing Jewish history with a bunch of other people - even if they share my beliefs. Because there's no "god" expecting me to meet up with anyone and listen to his message, I'm not even interested in hearing philosophical points expounded on. I could do that on a podcast and save the gas money. I understand that this is just me.

People respond to incentives, and unfortunately there isn't something intrinsically bound into atheism itself to make people bind together in a powerful enough way to over-topple religion. Humanist groups might have a good start by providing the "be nice feel good" social setting, but not every atheist identifies as a humanist, or cares. Skeptics promoting science and critical thinking have an excellent chance, but not all of them are actually atheists. And not all atheists are actually anti-theists. They just want to be left alone and valued as humans.

There's no easy way for us all to band together to get religion out of our lives because we all have a slightly different idea of how it should be done - politically, scientifically, etc. Christians at least have the unifying factor of believing in Christ, but atheists don't even have the want to undermine religion to bring them all under one roof.

PS - I don't have a short attention span, even though it's hard for me to get into long posts at work. I still really like them, so keep them coming.