TROC, if you want to avoid arguments you could just call yourself a low-threshold atheist instead of a non-cognitive atheist i.e. your criteria for dismissing the god hypothesis are minimal. I think the line between cognitive and non-cognitive atheism is too subtle and complex to explain to others.
More to the point, if humanist community is all you are after, maybe you should seek out individuals within humanist groups who are more interested in social outings rather than tortured debates. Take your outings to settings that are not disposed to debating e.g. bushwalking, softball, etc. Start building your own humanist social group, if that's what you're after. I'm sure there's lots of people who would prefer this to listening to a humanist lecture, but they're probably not associated with any group, so you'll have to find them yourself. Start a facebook group, advertise, promote ...
Meanwhile, maybe this humanist church in Houston is near you:
More to the point, if humanist community is all you are after, maybe you should seek out individuals within humanist groups who are more interested in social outings rather than tortured debates. Take your outings to settings that are not disposed to debating e.g. bushwalking, softball, etc. Start building your own humanist social group, if that's what you're after. I'm sure there's lots of people who would prefer this to listening to a humanist lecture, but they're probably not associated with any group, so you'll have to find them yourself. Start a facebook group, advertise, promote ...
Meanwhile, maybe this humanist church in Houston is near you:
Quote:What is a former pastor and church planter to do after publicly declaring that he's an atheist? Mike Aus started another church.
Aus, along with several other atheists, freethinkers and secular humanists in Houston, launched Houston Oasis, a community grounded in reason rather than revelation, celebrating the human experience as opposed to any deity. The first of these Sunday morning gatherings was held in early September and featured live music by local artists, personal testimonies, a message and time for fellowship.
Last May, Aus came out as an atheist on MSNBC's Chris Hayes show, saying that he'd long had doubts about his faith and beliefs, but never abandoned the idea that Christianity provided for basic human needs for support and community.
"Regardless of theological orientation, there is some kind of deeply ingrained basic human need for community," Aus said. "Homo sapiens are a tribal species that need support from others, that cannot be denied."
http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief...982205.php
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyath...ible-tudy/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/templeofthe...ot-a-blip/
