General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I am not religious. Can you please categorize Atheism into a "race"? [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)Why "should" religion be "mocked?" To make you feel important? To put someone down? Who cares what they think? Why is it important to you to even do such a pointless thing? Live your life as best you can--don't try to sell others, with put-downs and snark, about what fuckups you think they are. It never ends well.
Some of the Sunday Assembly members liken their congregations to a religion without deities....should I stand up and screech at them, "NO! NOOOOO! You are WRONG!!!!!" like some kind of unhinged doctrine-soaked scold? Hell to the no. If they liken it to a religion, that's just fine with me.
It looks like one to my eye (and to the eye of many in their membership), it is not dogmatic, it is open and accepting (they don't bar those "deity" people from their services, they just don't play the "deity" game), and they seem to like each other--and pretty much most people in the world--and they have a lot of fun.
I think a LOT of people could learn a little something from these folks.
When you start demanding adherence to stupid little rules, you're not really an "atheist." You're just a guy with a bunch of little rules, and anyone found wanting can't join your little club. Most people, I should think, will leave you to your nitpicking and join the "radically inclusive" crowd at the SAs. No harm, no foul...you sit over there, and the 40 percent of millennials and their older buddies with open minds, and the young ones coming up, they can have a good time singing and helping.
No wonder people prefer this other club over here--they don't demand a thing save your presence and an appreciation of what their goals are. Their "Ten Commandments" are delightful.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/COMMANDMENTS-SUNDAY-ASSEMBLY/story-21454837-detail/story.html
'TEN COMMANDMENTS' OF THE SUNDAY ASSEMBLY
By Nottingham Post | Posted: July 12, 2014
In good voice the Sunday Assembly choir.
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The Sunday Assembly...1. Is a 100 per cent celebration of life. We are born from nothing and go to nothing. Let's enjoy it together.
2. Has no doctrine. We have no set texts so we can make use of wisdom from all sources.
3. Has no deity. We don't do supernatural but we also won't tell you you're wrong if you do.
4. Is radically inclusive. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their beliefs this is a place of love that is open and accepting.
5. Is free to attend, not-for-profit and volunteer-run. We ask for donations to cover our costs and support our community work.
6. Has a community mission. Through our Action Heroes (you!) we will be a force for good.
7. Is independent. We do not accept sponsorship or promote outside organisations.
8. Is here to stay. With your involvement, the Sunday Assembly will make the world a better place.
9. We won't tell you how to live, but will try to help you do it as well as you can.
10. And remember point 1 The Sunday Assembly is a celebration of the one life we know we have.
As for your "prior to 2014" comment, you're wrong--they're well past the two year mark at many congregations.
There are at least seventy congregations. You, too, can go to YT and have a look at the meetings. Some meet 2x per month, others 1x per month, but the meetings are well attended, and, like I said, FUN.
These people don't spend their time screaming at deity worshippers about what fuck ups they are, and how they are so much smarter and better, they sing, they dance, they learn and they help others.
Sounds like a great bunch. Look at all the videos that have been uploaded in JUST the last month...!
https://www.youtube.com/results?filters=month&lclk=month&search_query=sunday+assembly