THE RELIGIOUS ATHEIST...COMING TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU...IN THE NEAR FUTURE!!
If some of you know-it-all proponents of falsehoods would do a bit of research, you might not make so many outrageous, misinformed claims. Atheism is a religion(.) <<<< Period!
Atheism as a Religion A Book Excerpt
One sacred symbol to atheists is the 'A' that symbolizes atheism. Three 'A' symbols are prominent in atheism. One 'A' symbol was created in 2007 by Atheist Alliance International and has a circle around it. The circle is meant to symbolize the unity of all atheists and the inclusion of all other atheist symbols. As you can tell, not only are these symbols for atheism, there is atheist religious symbolism within them that only atheists or those who study atheism know.
A second popular 'A' symbol was created by Richard Dawkins and is a red letter 'A' on a right leaning slant. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has adopted this symbol to represent it when they set up monuments to atheism. The third sacred 'A' symbol was created by the American Atheists and is placed in the middle of an atomic circle. The organization chose this as their symbol in 1963 to demonstrate their faith that science can save and free mankind. The letter 'A' stands in the middle of the atomic sign but rather than meaning atheism, it represents the first letter of the country in which the group is located. This obviously leads to problems since 'A' could stand for Austria, Algeria, Australia, and so on, but I suppose they weren't thinking that far ahead. The Atomic A, as it is known, is allowed on gravestones of U.S. military personnel who are atheists. Atheism is so sacred to some atheists that they want the atheist 'A' to represent them to the world after their death.
Many atheists demonstrated just how sacred the symbol 'A' is to them in the Christmas of 2013. Since my hometown city of Chicago allows a Hanukkah Menorah and Nativity scene to display on government property during the holiday season, the atheists asked to display their own religious symbol so the government wouldn't give the appearance to be endorsing one religion or the other. The monument the Freedom From Religion Foundation chose was a giant Richard Dawkins letter 'A' which stood 8 feet tall and lit up red at night for all to see. Countless atheists showed respect for the 'A' by making a pilgrimage to the site where the 'A' was displayed and having their picture taken with the 'A' which I'm sure will be kept as a cherished keep sake for many. Still, the giant red A was not enough. They also advocated for their atheist faith by erecting a sign that read, "There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
The atheist monument is further proof that atheism is a religion and in direct competition with theist religions for followers. Moreover, they have gone beyond telling people what they stand for and actually attack what others believe in. The FFRF sign is incredibly hateful towards all religions and actively tries to demean God and faith. The FFRF and many secular organizations like them are anti-faith, anti-God, and anti-religion. It is not enough for them to have their symbol and state what they believe
in, as the Christian and Jewish symbols do. The FFRF must go one further to state what they
dislike about other faiths. I just can't imagine a Christian nativity scene ever placing a sign next to the nativity stating something cruel and hateful towards other religious faiths. For some reason, atheists at FFRF can still sleep at night doing this. This speaks very poorly of the character of leaders and members of the group. The positive message within atheism must be very weak if they must resort to such hateful, negative tactics.
An additional religious symbol is the atheist Darwin fish. The fish was traditionally a symbol of Christianity for early Christians to recognize each other and since many of Jesus's disciples were fishermen who he would transform into 'fishers of men.' The atheists have usurped the symbol to declare their belief that Darwin's theory of evolution proves God doesn't exist. Since the fish is a creature from the natural world, it made for an easy transition to a symbol for atheism. Atheist's display the fish with the word 'Darwin' across the middle or with feet on the bottom and proudly wear it on t-shirts and bumper stickers. While it may have started as a parody on the Christian fish symbol, it is now an easy way for atheists to recognize each other, mission to non-atheists, and show their gratitude and respect to the person whose scientific work they believe is the foundation for much of their atheist faith, Charles Darwin.
Many more, less popular symbols exist including the empty set symbol of mathematics, the invisible pink unicorn, and the flying spaghetti monster. As the atheist religion continues to fortify itself certain symbols will likely tend to dominate as they work for uniformity and cohesion amongst all atheists.
Atheists are also installing their own religious monuments across the United States. In July of 2013 the American Atheists erected a monument at a Florida courthouse that had allowed the displaying of the Ten Commandments. Ken Loukinen, an American Atheists director of state and regional operations stated "Christianity has had an unfair privilege for at least the last 150 years. We want to level the playing field by stripping them of privilege, and bringing them to equality with all other ideologies." The group has said they will erect 50 more monuments in other locations where the Ten Commandments sit on government land. As Ken Loukinen admitted, the monuments are an effort for the faith of atheism to compete with the other religious faiths.
The monument has the atomic symbol with the letter 'A' in the middle to represent the group and atheism. A quote on the monument states, "An atheist believes a hospital should be built instead of a Church." Little do they acknowledge it was religious temples in Greece, Egypt and other places that first served as hospitals, the numerous hospitals built by Christian charities in the United States, and that atheists have yet to build a hospital in the USA. In the article, the atheists are very explicit about where their priorities are: building 50 more religious monuments to atheism. Perhaps a better quote for the atheist monument would read, "An atheist is someone who says they want a hospital in place of a Church, but then settles for erecting a religious monument to atheism instead." Not soon after this monument was erected, the Sunday Assembly began its cross-country trip across America raising money for…the atheist Church. Atheists may say they want a hospital instead of a Church, but as atheism in practice demonstrates, their first priorities are monuments and places of atheist worship.
Atheism and religion - Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
United States of America
The
United States was an association of former British Colonies which incorporated much of
English law and
culture in its
Federal Constitution. Atheism in the USA is protected under the
First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. In August 2005, in a case where a prison inmate was blocked by prison officials from creating an inmate group to study and discuss atheism, the court ruled this violated the inmate's rights under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. The
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recognized the previous
Supreme Court precedent by ruling atheism be afforded equal protection with religions under the 1st amendment.
[11][12]
There are also online churches that have been created by atheists to secure legal rights, to ordain atheist clergy to hold ceremonies, as well as for parody, education, and advocacy.
[13][14][15][16]
Atheism in Judaism
Main article:
Jewish atheism
In general, formulations of
Jewish principles of faith require a belief in God (represented by Judaism's paramount prayer, the
Shema). In many modern movements in Judaism, Rabbis have generally considered the behavior of a Jew to be the determining factor in whether or not one is considered an adherent of
Judaism. Within these movements it is often recognized that it is possible for a Jew to strictly practice
Judaism as a faith, while at the same time being an agnostic or atheist.
Some Jewish atheists reject Judaism, but wish to continue identifying themselves with the Jewish people and culture. Jewish atheists who practice
Humanistic Judaism embrace Jewish culture and history, rather than belief in a supernatural god, as the sources of their Jewish identity. One study found that only 48% of self identified Jews believe in God.
[19]
About the Holy Bible First Church of Atheism
Get legally ordained for free
As a legally ordained minister, you're able to perform weddings, funerals, commitment ceremonies, and other functions that are reserved for members of clergy. You can also
start a local FCA Chapter in your city!
With the First Church of Atheism you can become ordained quickly, easily, and at no cost.
Since its inception, the First Church of Atheism has amassed quite a following around the world. FCA ministers come from all walks of life. They are every race, ethnicity, age, and creed. The one thing binding every FCA minister is his or her belief in science, reason, and reality. The First Church of Atheism wants you to pursue and cherish your realistic beliefs without interference from any outside agency, including government or church authority. We provide our service for free, as we believe it is every atheists right to perform these clergy functions. You may
become a legally ordained minister for life, without cost, and without question.
North Texas Church of Freethought
The North Texas Church of Freethought is a Fellowship of Unbelievers. We do what all the other churches do, but with one less god. Our aim is to offer atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and freethinkers all the educational, inspirational, and social and emotional benefits of traditional faith-based churches. We do this by preaching Freethought, a rational approach to religious questions of life, love, meaning, and happiness. Our growing community of freethinkers provides a positive, affirming environment for leading a good life, free of the illogic and intolerance of other religions based on holy books and supernaturalism.
Next Service:Sunday, October 5th 2014Starts at 10:30am
Sheraton Grand [ Map ]4440 West John Carpenter FrwyIrving, TX 75063
Houston Church of Freethought - About Us
About Us
What is a freethinker?
Freethought Literature
The Unchurch: A "Filet of Religion" Why do we call ourselves a "Church"?
Polls consistently show that some 10% of Americans don't feel an affinity for any of the traditional faith-based religious denominations. Yet these people have the same social, emotional, and other "spiritual" needs as everyone else. They are also concerned with such important principles as justice, honesty, right living, and the promotion of these values in the larger society. But the great majority of the unchurched have found it difficult to reconcile their views on these important subjects and their knowledge of the natural world with what nearly all religious organizations expect their members to believe on faith.
Whether they think of themselves as atheists, agnostics, humanists, doubters, skeptics, freethinkers, or something else, these individuals have found themselves excluded from traditional church life in America. As a result, many have felt isolated and unsupported in their conscientiously declining to accept belief in the supernatural. Meanwhile, the faith-based churches have enjoyed a near-monopoly in providing their members with a sense of community and a ready source of personal, emotional, and social enrichment and support.
Up until now, unbelievers have had little choice but to remain alone. A few have chosen to compromise their principles, convincing themselves that their honest doubts just aren't that important. Sadly, many of these people are individuals and couples with children who have been made to feel that religious indoctrination is somehow necessary to the moral development of their offspring.
The Houston Church of Freethought is an extension of the concept originally developed in Dallas by the North Texas Church of Freethought. The Church of Freethought was conceived as an alternative to the conventional faith-based religious organizations. The benefits of traditional church membership are offered to those who are uncomfortable with supernatural beliefs: community and fellowship with those of like mind, a vehicle for personal growth and fulfillment, affirmation of a naturalistic view of the world as a positive life choice for individuals and families, and a sense of belonging within the larger community.
Unbelieving parents will find us an especially attractive option because we offer children a source of moral training and reinforcement free of supernatural promises and threats.
Last Modified on Jan. 6, 2009
About UsWhy do we call ourselves a "Church"?
CHURCH is EXACTLY what we are about. We are committed to providing a sanctuary for rational human beings who want to gather voluntarily in a place where they can contemplate life on earth with all it's glory; where rational humans can celebrate the passages of life's important events like births, marriages, and deaths; where families can assemble with core values they wish to pass on to their children through the effective device of Sunday schools; where music can be played that lifts the human spirit; where physical symbols of science can be appreciated; where a true (real) sense of community can be expressed through charitable activities... and ALL without the slightest hint or need for the irrational concept known as "god."
Atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and freethinkers are still human beings and have real human social, emotional, and "spiritual" needs. Being among like (rational) minded people on a regular basis provides that vital emotional and social support to those of us in a vastly theistic society. The need for community and fellowship does not disappear when we decline to believe in supernaturalism.
The Religious Atheist Shades of Sentience
The Religious Atheist
Posted by Lara Douglas November 17th, 2009 |
Due to the rather volatile nature of the subject I am about to discuss, I would first like to make my intentions as clear as I can. It is my belief that the knowledge of mankind is inherently flawed; the word ‘fact’, to me, means very little. Our knowledge of the world, whether it is of how it works, or why, is changing so constantly that I would not honestly apply such a strong word to even the sentences I am currently typing, although I do believe them wholly.
As such, when something comes up in conversation that is as far beyond our comprehension as the question of how and why we came to be here, a word such as ‘fact’ should be simply thrown out the window. On the contrary, each religion to date will throw the word around shamelessly, and today’s Atheists are using the word as if it were solely their own.
In this article I attempt to define religion and find out exactly what it is, if anything, that separates modern Atheism from being defined as a religion. To those of you who are wondering, or possibly assuming, I would like to quickly note that I am not Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish, Atheist, Agnostic, or any other religious group you care to come up with, with special emphasis on Scientology. I am merely an interested observer in the way the Atheist movement is currently changing.
One of the few things that Atheism and Christianity have in common is the fact that both groups are noticing the active uprising of the Atheism movement over the past few years, although obviously they both have very different opinions on the matter.
Atheism is defined as the lack of belief in a god or gods, and is therefore not considered to be a religion. The definition of religion, however, is one that is sketchy at best. The most common belief is that it is exactly the opposite of Atheism; the belief in a higher power such as a god or multiple gods. This excludes even as well known a religion as Buddhism, one branch of which does not believe in a god or gods. So what is the definition of religion?
When researching the topic, one will find that it is almost impossible to find a definition that is able to cover each religion. Another commonplace definition is that religion is a belief rooted in history. But then why do governments all over the world have the power to give new beliefs a religious status? This begs the question of how a religion is, at the very least, legally defined. How, for example, did a belief system as recent as Scientology become classified as a tax-exempt religion, in some countries at least, if not others? What were the major defining factors that swayed the judge to give them such a status?
A more well-rounded definition is given by George A. Lindbeck (Lindbeck, 1984), “A religion can be viewed as a kind of cultural and/or linguistic framework or medium that shapes the entirety of life and thought… It is not primarily an array of beliefs about the true and the good (though it may involve these), or a symbolism expressive of basic attitudes, feelings, or sentiments (though these will be generated). Rather, it is similar to an idiom that makes possible the description of realities, the formulation of beliefs, and the experiencing of inner attitudes, feelings and sentiments.”
Some might consider this to be rather vague, but in essence it is the truest description that I have come across. One will find many religions that claim not to be a religion but, in fact, ‘a way of life’. But isn’t this what every religion encompasses? The search for a religion is a search for truth, for knowledge. The search ends when the individual finds what he believes teaches him or her the basic facts of our existence and the way that we can get the most out of it. Each of us ask the same question and each religion endeavours to answer it; how should I live my life and why?
It is in finding our own personal answer that religions begin to arise. The answer is to the asker their own form of enlightenment; such a feeling of purpose and truth awakens that as a result we feel the uprising need to Spread the Word! This word may be that of god, it may be that of many gods, but it also can be that of science, or that of yoga or a balanced diet or even that of the truth behind flying spaghetti.
“When I became convinced that the Universe is natural, that all the ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into every drop of my blood, the sense, the feeling, the joy of freedom. The walls of my prison crumbled and fell, the dungeon was flooded with light and all the bolts, and bars, and manacles became dust. I was no longer a servant, a serf, or a slave. There was for me no master in all the wide world, not even in infinite space. I was free.” (Ingersoll, 1896)
It is at this point in time that a religion begins to spread, and also when it begins to encounter problems. It seems quite often that the simpler the solution is, the more popularity the idea gains, but other ideas can also gain just as much popularity through fear. This may be fear of a god, fear of what will happen in an afterlife, fear of being different, or fear of being deemed unintelligent through the lack of belief or understanding of what the religion teaches; “A believer is not a thinker and a thinker is not a believer.” (Sherman, 1969)
The most obvious problem that religion has is religious intolerance. While one person has this overwhelming feeling of truth and knowledge, the person or persons they then share this with may be offended if it clashes with their own ‘truth’. A discussion between two individuals of different faiths about said faith is rarely a civilised or open-minded one, even amongst the normally rational or intelligent, and such rationality and intelligence is often called into question; ‘I prefer rationalism to Atheism… The question of god and other objects-of-faith are outside reason and play no part in rationalism, thus you don’t have to waste your time in either attacking or defending.’ (Asimov, 2002)
The biggest problem that religion has, however, is that of being universally accepted. The reasons for this are obvious, yet religions still go about trying to convert the rest of the world to their own way of thinking. Those who believe they are of a non-religious status follow the same pattern, but seemingly against religion itself; “So returning to tactics and the evolution lobby, I want to argue that rocking the boat may be just the right thing to do. My approach to attacking creationism is unlike the evolution lobby, my approach to attacking creationism is to attack religion as a whole.” (Dawkins, 2002)
Although it would like to claim as such, Atheism is not exempt from anything that has been stated so far, as evidenced by the adjacent Atheistic quotations. The fact that there is no supernatural being in their beliefs is irrelevant, and the fact that science is constantly changing and updating has both its pros and cons when arguing its ‘truth’. And, like many other religions, its followers will ultimately see anyone who disagrees with their beliefs as less intelligent beings. “There is not one single established religion that an intelligent, educated man can believe.” (Shaw, 1997)
A common thread amongst Atheism is the promotion of ‘free-thinking’. Unfortunately in context this is more often than not intended to mean ‘one who thinks the same way as we do’; “A believer is a bird in a cage, a freethinker is an eagle parting the clouds with tireless wing.” (Ingersoll R. G., 1873)
So what is it that separates Atheism from religion? The most common argument is that one cannot define a lack of belief in something as a religion. But technically agnosticism is the correct term for this. Agnostics do not believe there is proof of god, they do not believe that there is proof that there is no god, and they do not believe that there are any grounds for the argument to change their lifestyle in any way. Atheism, however, is the firm belief that there is no god.
Then is it the fact that Atheists have no set rules which they need to follow? Or rather, that the rules they have set for themselves, such as a belief in science and ‘reason’, are so vague that they can be interpreted by each individual as they deem necessary? This is a much better reason than the last, and yet is one that I actually have yet to see proposed. It can be refuted, however, by the fact that most religious titles cover a broad range of beliefs, so much so that most of them then have sub-categories. A Christian, for example, could have any number of beliefs; the only assumed knowledge of such a broad term is that they will believe in a god. Atheism may not have formally named these categories as of yet, but it is quite simple to put them in place.
The Evolutionary Atheist; one who believes in the theory of Charles Darwin. The Scientific Atheist; one who believes science has the answers to everything, although doesn’t necessarily believe in the theory of evolution. The Observed Atheist; one who believes the universe exists simply because we are observing it. The Simplistic Atheist; one who doesn’t believe we came about by evolution, doesn’t understand science, but is nevertheless most certain that we were not created by a god. This is, quite obviously, a very rough sketch of the categories Atheists may be put into, and I’m sure there are many more that I have not included.
The final argument against Atheism being a religion is that of ritual, and I admit it is the most valid of all arguments presented to me. Atheists in general do not have religious rituals such as prayer or meditation. It could be argued, however, that by the founding of recent Atheist Clubs for both school students and adults, it is beginning to teeter on the edge of becoming a ritualistic religion. Attending Atheist meetings once a week is akin to heading to Church on Sundays, which is considered a religious ritual. This is a small step, but as atheism is rapidly changing I believe it is the first of many.
So, in short, there is no reason that I can find to continue to exclude Atheism from being a religion. We are in an age where there are Atheist clubs at schools and regular meetings at rented halls for the older sympathisers, where Atheists have been willing to stick by their belief literally to the death, where Atheists are actively recruiting non-believers (as such) to their own cause, and where Atheists are discriminated against for their beliefs (although not as harshly as some like to claim). We are in an age of the Religious Atheist.
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