Atheist "church" in London.

[Mister Agenda]

This sort of thing hasn't exactly flourished in America, but it's not insignficant. Check out Ethical Culture:

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Ethical_Culture

[Cinjin]

Sure we don't, but this isn't about what people need; this is about what people want. These people clearly want a place to meet up and talk about ideas on a Sunday. Maybe they don't want to go down the pub, or to clubs or other places. Maybe all their friends are religious and go to church on Sunday.

I'm not sure why people are so against this idea. When did meeting up with people, singing songs, discussing science, and having a good sociable time become wrong? I must have missed that memo.

Exactly.

"It's a nice excuse to get together and have a bit of a community spirit but without the religion aspect," says Jess Bonham, a photographer.

"It's not a church, it's a congregation of unreligious people."

Another attendee, Gintare Karalyte, says: "I think people need that sense of connectedness because everyone is so singular right now, and to be part of something, and to feel like you are part of something. That's what people are craving in the world."

I think it's awesome when like minded people band together. Their "church" mocks organized religion. That's cool with me. None of them are pretending to have a "new religion." If anything we non-believers should start more of these social gatherings and start showing the world that traditional church is just a social network that humans crave and that stupid angry gods are primitive and unnecessary.

[Minimalist]

Pubs also perform just as good a social function.

Put me down for the pub. Just chill the beer a little, will ya?

[Cyberman]

Actually, it's funny you should mention that. Welcome to Skeptics in the Pub.

[Cato]

I'm with Min here. I might attend if I were allowed to bring beer.

I don't mind the idea as long as everyone stays clear of any type of creed.

I see a public relations danger though. I didn't see mention of preferential parking and seating for Atheism+ members so they will quickly be labeled as potential rapists.

[fr0d0]

why!!!!!!

Why come here?

[Shell B]

Pubs also perform just as good a social function. As do many other clubs and places where you can meet people.

I hate pubs and clubs. I don't drink and I don't like douchebags. I would like a place to meet up with people like me who aren't drinking, dancing or otherwise acting like their fulfillment in life amounts to feeling fucked up and getting uncomfortably close to strangers who are saying vapid things to impress each other. I would prefer these people use a different term, such as meeting house, but I like the concept.

[Jackalope]

Actually, it's funny you should mention that. Welcome to Skeptics in the Pub.

That's me in the corner, sitting alone quaffing strong ale and shouting "Bollocks!" at seemingly nothing.

[Zone]

It's really rather silly in a kind of "can't beat them join them kind of way". But at least they're not trying to commune with invisible being things in the invisible realm of mystic shite. They're just sticking to the things we know and appreciating that for what it is.





But you wouldn't catch me dead in there.

[Minimalist]

Actually, it's funny you should mention that. Welcome to Skeptics in the Pub.

That's me in the corner, sitting alone quaffing strong ale and shouting "Bollocks!" at seemingly nothing.

It's good to have a hobby.