My first Atheist Meetup

[Eric J in MN]

I went to an atheist meeting today, which I found via meetup.com.

Edward Tabash of Americans United for Separation of Church and State spoke and then took questions.

Tabash said that he's run in Democratic primaries for the California state legislature a couple of times. He thinks that being an atheist had to do with his losing the primaries. It wasn't directly a campaign issue, but he assumes people knew he's an atheist by Googling his name.

Tabash said that an open lesbian, Sheila James Kuehl, who serves in the California state legislature suggested he say that he's agnostic.

He replied that that would be like if she claimed to be bi to get elected.

Anyway, you can try the www.Meetup.com website for local meetups on this topic and lots of other topics.

[Nevernose]

1. Or you could try a Unitarian Church

http://www.uua.org/

Lots of atheists there (I think my congregation averages about 50%), plus members of many other faiths, including Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and pagans. Big emphasis on social justice and social action, plus generally open-minded, well-educated, liberal people. Their hUUmanists groups are expanding as well, not as a place for bad-talking religion, but as a place for discussing and promoting atheism.

Just sayin' is all. If you or anyone else is interested.

Am I proselytizing for an atheist church? Feels weird, like I should be handing out copies of the "Watchtower" or something.

[Eric J in MN]

2. A guy sitting next to me today said he...

...used to go to a Unitarian church.

[papau]

3. I agree that there is a large group of atheists that have been welcomed into the Unitarian Church

- but not 50% in any congregation I have ever sat in - granted a talkative 20% can seem like a majority - and if you add in the deists and agnostics and eastern religion types who argue that their spiritual mooring does not include a god - you are indeed near if not over 50% in many UU gatherings.

The UU's are growing (and may break through 300,000 soon), perhaps because they are a bunch of nice interesting educated people. I'd also recommend joining them if you are an atheist and want some good discussion and fellowship. I would not fear the fact the word unitarian and the word universalist that make up the UU in their name are two Christian doctrines - doctrines many Christians hold today. The UU's are evolving away from their Christian roots/ While they still have both those roots and Christians believing in those doctrines in their congregations, they also believe in not forcing any belief on anyone, and are more a humanist activist and discussion group - I have found a group I did not like.

But as to losing a political race because you are an atheist - not an in your face proselytizing annoying atheist, just a firm if their belief atheist - is not all that credible an excuse for losing - in my opinion.

[dysfunctional press]

12. it's an EXTREMELY credible excuse-

are you aware of ANY openly atheist people who have been elected to either nationwide or state-wide office? i know i'm not aware of any.

LOTS of people will close their minds to a candidate, if the candidate claims to be an atheist.

[Nevernose]

14. That was actually the "sermon" a few weeks ago

The state of atheism in the world today, and it was mentioned more than once that no major atheist political figures have ever been elected in America.

[Nevernose]

15. Our church did a poll over the summer

Close to fifty percent (maybe 46%) identified themselves as humanists or atheists, IIRC. Personally, I waver. Sometimes I'm a devout nonbeliever, other times I kind of like to think that there is some kind of Jungian Overmind, or some greater power. Sometimes it's hard to watch a rattlesnake eat a desert rat on a rock that's five billion years old and think otherwise. But, then again, I used to take a lot of psychedelic drugs :evilgrin:. I'm never certain of what's rational, what's logical, and if maybe the only thing that's logical is the irrational. Absurdism seems the only logical option.

What's great about the Unitarian Universalists, though, is that in small group discussions we find wisdom wherever we can get it. We're pretty smart folks, but someone is always smarter: Ahura Mazda, Jesus, Nietzsche, Mark Twain, Thoreau, Shakespeare, Freud. And Shakespeare always seems to teach us as much as Jesus does.

Thank God I found the UU church, even if there is no God.

(and I think you meant "I have NOT found a group I did not like).

[Eric J in MN]

20. the difference is that the Unitarian Church

...may be neutral for atheists, but an Atheist Meeup may be about how to promote atheism.

[PurityOfEssence]

22. Hey, did ya hear the one about the Unitarian KKK?

They burn a question mark on your lawn.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. I agree

Unitarian churches & fellowships are cool for atheists, and they are all different in atmosphere and mixture of beliefs. Only church I will set foot in. They love discussion groups.

[XboxWarrior]

6. I say.....

and it is my "right"!

all arguements over the big flyin' spaghetti monster......

are kinda childess....

just sayin'

I put away childess things.....James McMurtrey

[WhollyHeretic]

5. I signed on meetup for the atheist group in my area

I haven't been able to go to one yet though.

[Kolesar]

7. I am sure that there are many Catholic priests & other ministers who don't believe anymore

But...what are you going to do? You made your career choice early in life. Hopefully, they get some meaning out of "ministering" to people who need moral support in difficult times.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. "Theologian" is code for "unbeliever" ...

at least according to "Yes Prime Minister".

When the Anglican bishops lose their faith, supposedly they get retired as "theologians". But you have to remember it's a comedy show.

[Arugula Latte]

26. One of those ministeres performed my brother-in-law's wedding.

He told my brother-in-law (who HATES religion) that, the more he studied Christianity, the more utter bullshit it all seemed to him.

What a hoot.

He also used phrases like "that frosts my balls."

Now, that's my kind of holy man! :rofl:

[Stuckinthebush]

29. My father is a damn good theologian and Presbyterian minister

He and I have many a discussion over a bottle of wine. He actually pointed me to the UUs years ago.

He has told me a number of times that there are many days he is agnostic. The more you learn, the more likely it is that you get there - theologian or not.

[The Straight Story]

9. I am a christian but would consider such a meetup

I want these damn fundies (both christian and islamic) to respect freedom and separation. But I am not totally militant on it all. I think there is a happy medium :)

I fear what many others fear, fundies of any stripe forcing me to live by their crazy ass rules.

[PassingFair]

10. The head of that group, Barry Lynn, is a minister, I believe.

Don't know what denomination....

[The Straight Story]

11. To me it is about similar goals

I don't go to a church here anymore. Can't find one that fits me really.

I am really just afraid that some people plan on getting power and dictating how I can worship.

God gave us freedom, man took it away :)

[Nevernose]

16. I'll say it again:

Have you looked into the UUs? Universalist Unitarians? People of all different faiths are welcome and are even common, though UU Christian Fellowship membership usually outnumbers others. A Chrisitan religion founded in the 16th century, it has a long history of liberal views and acceptance, though it is not (necessarily) entirely Christian anymore.

In fact, there isn't even an official creedo, but the statement of principals and purposes is something to which I'd bet most DUers could agree to:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

* Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
* Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
* Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
* Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
* Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
* Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Notice they say things like:

woman and men
Wisdom from the world's religions
the guidance of reason and the results of science
warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
instruct us to live in harmony

[toddaa]

21. Been there, done that, no thanks

I respect UUers, but with my personal experience with organized religion, even the UU church is viewed with intense cynicism and distrust. The handful of meetings I've attended dredged up some pretty bad memories and I couldn't wait to get out of there. As accepting and tolerant as they seemed to be, I still had that uneasy feeling of mind control and group think that I haven't returned.

[kiahzero]

13. United Church of Christ. (n/t)

[Nevernose]

17. I've been told they were a cult

I've been told, and heard on the Internet(s) that they were a cult, one invented in the 70s and tuned towards disenchanted liberals from the 60s. I've heard this mostly from conservatives, but occasionally even liberals.

I'm sure that's probably not fair, but what are they really all about? Beyond their website and a few random articles, I know nothing about them.

[kiahzero]

18. However told you that was full of shit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ

[derby378]

19. Dallas' Cathedral of Hope congregation just joined UCC

That whole "cult" thing sounds like BS to me. I think UCC is actually trying to outdo MCC.

[Minnesota_Lib]

23. Dang, didn't do a thing yesterday...I would have liked that (and fairly close to home, no less)

[Eric J in MN]

24. You can sign up to get invited to the next event.

Go to meetup.com, and choose "Minnesota Atheists Meetup Group."

[Minnesota_Lib]

25. I'll check it out...thanks EJ

[Eric J in MN]

27. kick

kick

[Az]

28. Tabash is trying to run as an open atheist

I've met the guy and he's a descent guy. And yes, he knows being an open atheist is costing him elections.

We as atheists have two choices. Hide our lack of belief away and lie to everyone or being honest and open about it. Unfortunately when we are honest we get shot down like crazy. A gallop poll(IIRC) showed that all other things being equal people would vote against a person simply for being an atheist over 51% of the time. Atheists were the worst case example in the poll. People would vote for gays, muslims, criminals and nearly anything else before they would elect an open atheist. Put what value you have in such polls but to many of us its pretty obvious that atheists are a permissible pariah in this nation. That is that it is allowable to be prejudice against atheists in our society.

You don't make such problems go away by hiding in the shadows. You have to make sure people are aware of the differences so they can come to understand that it isn't such a big difference.