Religious atheists

[DrZoidberg]

Here's a super good interview where Justin Sledge is interviewed on his faith and religion. I share both of the guys outlook on religion. There's another similar interview I'll try to find



Justin Sledge is famous for his YouTube channel where he talks about the occult. He's an academic who specialises in occultism

 

[DrZoidberg]

Found it. Here's the other, similar, interview



This time its an interview by Gnostic informant. He's an ex evangelical who has a Youtube channel started as the classic, "the Bible isn't litterally accurate", but evolved into an extremely well researched study into ancient Mediterranean religion.

While he hates evangelical Christianity, he's also uncomfortable in the skeptic community. Both him and Justin thinks there's profound wisdom in religion. Applicable to an atheist outlook. I agree completely

 

[steve_bank]

The term "religious atheist" can seem paradoxical, as atheism is traditionally defined as the lack of belief in any god or gods. However, some atheists find ways to engage with religious traditions and practices without necessarily subscribing to the core tenets of those traditions. This can manifest in various ways, such as through embracing the moral teachings of a religion, participating in religious rituals for cultural or social reasons, or finding a sense of community within religious organizations.

Yet another variation. It goes to show that atheist has no meaning unless it is qualified with sp-ecific details of an indulge or group.

I don't believe in god but I like going to mass, it makes me feel good.

Dr Z, weren't you promoting an atheist church sometie back?

 

[DrZoidberg]

The term "religious atheist" can seem paradoxical, as atheism is traditionally defined as the lack of belief in any god or gods. However, some atheists find ways to engage with religious traditions and practices without necessarily subscribing to the core tenets of those traditions. This can manifest in various ways, such as through embracing the moral teachings of a religion, participating in religious rituals for cultural or social reasons, or finding a sense of community within religious organizations.

Yet another variation. It goes to show that atheist has no meaning unless it is qualified with sp-ecific details of an indulge or group.

I don't believe in god but I like going to mass, it makes me feel good.

Dr Z, weren't you promoting an atheist church sometie back?

Yes. Me and a group of atheist friends had a shared epiphany in 2012 where we all had religion envy. And we wanted part of that action.

We then founded the religion Syntheism. It quickly blew up and spread over north Europe. With a bunch of churches. Over time it became closely associated with Burning Man. Because Burning Man was very trendy then. At the peak we had around 10 000 active members.

Around 2015 we who founded it started dropping off, one by one. Until the whole thing evaporated. The churches are still going though. They function like they did when Syntheism was a thing. Now they're just called other things. Still closely associated with Burning Man

What killed it was the realisation that it's unnecessary. You can belong to any already existing religion as an atheist. And then there's no need to invent anything. You get it all for free. But it didn't fall apart for dogmatic reasons or any conflicts. Which tells me we did something right.

The way I see it is that every religion works on several labels. Dumb people take it litterally and smart people take it metaphorically. And that's how it's always been. They all have room for atheists.

The most valuable thing religion teaches is discipline and self reflection/meditation. In today's world, we really need religion to help us out with this. Otherwise we'll be lost. But any of them will do the trick imho. They're pretty interchangable. And it comes down to what resonates with you emotionally.

I'm still an atheist. I practice a bit of a smorgasbord religion. A mix of Buddhism and Norse Paganism. I have some Egyptian religion in the mix. As well as hermeticism. I assume a generous helping of Christianity is in there as well. Living in Scandinavia makes that unavoidable

I'm a social guy. So I don’t really need religion for building community. So I'm less prone to sign up for a religious group. I live in an artistic collective and we've built several temples in our home. Some to mysterious gods with no name yet

 

[DrZoidberg]

One thing me and my friend group have in common is that we grew up in an atheistic environment. We had no real contact with religious people (who weren't clinically insane). Sweden is a society where you keep your faith to yourself. In Sweden religion pretty much died out in the 1950's.

Its had a bit of a revival of late. But Sweden is still very atheist.

I think something happens to a brain when it hasn't been subjected to religious brainwashing. There's just nothing that can make any of us think that God litterally existing is a thing. We all think that the idea that a literal God created the world is retarded.

The only kind of major religion that exists in Sweden is the belief in astrology and general mystical and magical powers. Hippie stuff

 

[southernhybrid]

Secular Humanism is. a religion of sorts and is even recognized as one by the IRS in the US. In ATL, there is a freethougt/humanist group that even bought an old church building where they meet at least once a month. They have speakers and parties etc. I used to be a member until the drive became too stressful. Here in my new home in Indy, there are numerous humanist groups, the most well known is the CFI, which has its own property downtown. I haven't been there yet, but have been to a meetup in a restaurant where we enjoyed each other's company and conversation. I don't need or want any more religion than that.

I have known 3 Methodist atheists in the past who also met up with a little atheist social group we had about 20 years ago in Peachtree City Georgia. To me, religion is primarily about socialization and charity, not having gods or rituals. Those things might be important to some people but not to all of us. Still, having been involved with numerous atheist groups over the past 25 years, I have learned that it's very hard to keep atheist groups going, or as I say, it's hard to herd the cats as we don't have any strict dogma to keep us under control and unified.

The OP reminds me a bit of the "Power of Myth" concept that was promoted by the late Joseph Campbell.

Unitarians fulfill all of the needs those might want from religion. At least that's the impression I've had from reading their principles and having had a few atheist friends in the past who were also UUs.

I did not view the posted videos because I hate watching videos. Sorry. That's just me. I'd rather read something.

 

[Tigers!]

I'm a social guy. So I don’t really need religion for building community. So I'm less prone to sign up for a religious group. I live in an artistic collective and we've built several temples in our home. Some to mysterious gods with no name yet

Ah yes. Paul and the altar to the unknown God.

 

[steve_bank]

Raised Catholic when I got off on my own I never needed religion. Never needed it to socialize.

I knew an atheist married to a Catholic. He converted to Catholic so he could participate in church social functions with his wife.

I had a political science teacher who talked about going through the Freemasson rituals Elaborate. Secret signs to identify fellow Masons.

He dropped it wen he w saw a racist aspect.

Loy7al Order Of The Moose Lodge

https://www.mooseintl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/LodgeRitualHandbook_ML.pdf

The Elks Lodge

 

[GenesisNemesis]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

 

[WAB]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

I hear you! I actually envy the Charleton Heston character in Omega Man.

 

[steve_bank]

The myth of the lone male beholden to no one. In America the myth of the cowboy and individualist living free in the west, crteated by East coast 19th century pulp fiction writers.

Get yourself a Harley and some leathers and like magic you are a weekend rebel road warrior riding free on the open road.

The lone rock guitarist against the world.

Modern myths abound.

 

[southernhybrid]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

No problem with that if it works for you, but the older I get, the more I enjoy friendships. Since moving, I miss many friends and we keep in touch by phone. When I was still employed, I didn't feel the need for so many friends so maybe things change when you reach old age and don't always want to be alone. I'm not an independent as I once was when I was younger, but I've always enjoyed friendships. Actually, I'm never alone as i have a husband and two dogs. Dogs are some of my best friends.

On the other hand, I find it a bit ironic for anyone who has been a member here and posts on a regular basis to say that they don't need community because IIDB is a community, even if it's only online. I feel as if I know many of you, despite never having met you in person. You are friends, friendly acquaintances or at least frenemies in a way and this is one of my communities.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

No problem with that if it works for you, but the older I get, the more I enjoy friendships. Since moving, I miss many friends and we keep in touch by phone. When I was still employed, I didn't feel the need for so many friends so maybe things change when you reach old age and don't always want to be alone. I'm not an independent as I once was when I was younger, but I've always enjoyed friendships. Actually, I'm never alone as i have a husband and two dogs. Dogs are some of my best friends.

On the other hand, I find it a bit ironic for anyone who has been a member here and posts on a regular basis to say that they don't need community because IIDB is a community, even if it's only online. I feel as if I know many of you, despite never having met you in person. You are friends, friendly acquaintances or at least frenemies in a way and this is one of my communities.

Yes connections can be made here, but if this place ever does go down, it will be sad but I will just be doing more other things instead *shrug* . I am part of this community but not dependent upon it.

 

[WAB]

This is certainly a community, and it's valuable to me in that respect. But the best part about IIDB is that I don't get door-knocks, phone calls, or invitations to go out.

 

[southernhybrid]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

No problem with that if it works for you, but the older I get, the more I enjoy friendships. Since moving, I miss many friends and we keep in touch by phone. When I was still employed, I didn't feel the need for so many friends so maybe things change when you reach old age and don't always want to be alone. I'm not an independent as I once was when I was younger, but I've always enjoyed friendships. Actually, I'm never alone as i have a husband and two dogs. Dogs are some of my best friends.

On the other hand, I find it a bit ironic for anyone who has been a member here and posts on a regular basis to say that they don't need community because IIDB is a community, even if it's only online. I feel as if I know many of you, despite never having met you in person. You are friends, friendly acquaintances or at least frenemies in a way and this is one of my communities.

Yes connections can be made here, but if this place ever does go down, it will be sad but I will just be doing more other things instead *shrug* . I am part of this community but not dependent upon it.

I'm sure you're not dependent on it, but apparently you do enjoy it. I don't think I've ever been dependent on any community, but I do enjoy interacting with people that I have things in common with, as well as enjoying having food with friends, having interesting conversations, providing opportunities for doing volunteer work etc. Those things are easiest to find in communities. I like my alone time but I also like my time with friends. It's easy to make friends by joining a community. So, I'm looking forward to meeting more atheists at the CFI. I don't need a lot of close friends, just some who I can get together with at times, even if it's just to talk.

 

[Jarhyn]

Never understood the need for community, as someone who's always been stubbornly independent and comfortable with being alone.

I understand it. It's the same reason it sometimes feels good to be part of a community in college or at work, sometimes.
The issue with churches is the compulsory nature and the fact the church doesn't screen for shitty instructors, so you end up on what is the equivalent of a classroom, but with an otherwise homeless uneducated beggar person reading a textbook that's on edition 5 or 6 for a subject that was outdated 2000 years ago.

And if you argue with the homeless crazy person, they expel you.