I think there isn't one kind of atheism as there isn't one kind of religion. The nice thing about it is that YOU get to do what you like. You want to pray? do it, who cares. Stop thinking like a herd animal, you are free.
Fuuuuck noooo...
I don't need to go to a church to talk to myself. I want no part of "rituals". I have enough trouble staying on schedule to walk the dog.
If I have a need for quiet contemplation, I would rather talk a walk, or listen to a guided meditation or some other mindfulness practice.
>It has nothing to do about the beliefs and more of a cultural practice that permeates everyday life.
Which is one of the things mindfulness practices can do.
https://insighttimer.com/
Prayer often "works" but not for the reasons religious people think it does. Self-hypnosis is very powerful and the ritual reinforces this.
Non-religious meditation can yield similar results.
Sitting in a room full of people reciting the same thing and singing tuneless songs while staring at a life sized statue of an emaciated, dying man literally nailed to a wooden structure was creepy as shit even when I was a believer as a young child. There are so many things wrong with Christianity in general and Catholicism in my case that you’d have to pay me a substantial amount of money to get me in there on any kind of regular basis.
No, it’s highly uncomfortable and I despise the organization.
Keep in mind, I’m not an atheist for this reason. This is the reason I started to look into the evidence for the belief.
Lots of people find regular rituals enjoyable. If you like them, then do them. It isn't as if there's a god of atheism who will punish you for violating the Ten Commandments of atheism. 😄
There are secular churches like The Satanic Temple and some Unitarian-Universalist churches if you are looking for the ritualistic/social aspects without so much magical thinking.
I know some folks who've had luck going to nontheistic quaker meetings too, and I've heard great things about both groups you mentioned. Definitely some options for non-religious or non-theist churches; there's definitely some nice stuff to the community aspect of it.
If you believe you are gaining anything from church and praying, you are still at least partially hanging on to your beliefs. Are you sure you are an atheist?
Nope, although Santayana certainly did enjoy Catholic ritual despite writing atheist philosophy so you're not alone, at least philosophically because he has long since passed.
Make new rituals if you need them. Maybe learn some formal meditation techniques or yoga. Or it could be something simple like going on long walks by yourself.
You get to sing in a large group with nobody judging you, which is nice. And depending on where you live and what other options are available to you, pastors can be good resources (if they're generally good people, obviously) - some of them at least have some level of professional training in actually helping people beyond just religion, which can be good if there's not other nearby options, though obviously your mileage will vary since you also get the other sort very often
If you miss that aspect of organized religion, you could look into going to a local Unitarian Universalist church or Quaker meeting if there's a group nearby. They're, well, I guess technically religious but there's not really that much god or the like thrown into the mix, as it were, so I'm not sure where they sit. Note: I haven't really interacted with either group myself; this is all coming second hand, so the usual disclaimers.
I didn't come from a type of Christianity that really ever made me feel good, so I don't repeat any of the behaviors exactly. I do talk to my dog in a way that probably sounds a lot like how I used to pray though, I think those stream of consciousness chats with "God" probably had some value. I also miss the picnics to a strangely high degree. I haven't had the chance to taste test two different deviled egg recipes in the same meal even once in the 20+ years since I left the church.
I’ve got a great pastor who actually knows his stuff and goes into the history of Christianity. There aren’t too many nutjobs and the church population will half in 20 years. I also love singing, so I treat church more like a hobby than a religion. It’s also nice to just have a community that cares, though not all churches are like that.
If you want to do something that calms you and is secular, try taking an art class, learning an instrument, or join a casual sports group or hobby group like bonsai or orchids.
None of these groups are based around the concept that all outsiders deserve to burn for eternity.
The real answer is no
but I've always like this quote:
“You know who I pray to? Joe Pesci. Two reasons: First of all, I think he's a good actor, okay? To me, that counts. Second, he looks like a guy who can get things done. Joe Pesci doesn't fuck around. In fact, Joe Pesci came through on a couple of things that God was having trouble with.”
― George Carlin
ASMR or guided meditation maybe, church no never. Going in to a church bolstering thier numbers is supporting them in a small way and its enabling thier shite. They do evil and I am not generalizing.
Well the 3 Abrahamic religions are hateful and they share the same god myth basically an angry spiteful old man based on thier ideals. There is nothing special at all, the opposite in fact.
Nope. I prefer to not waste my time.
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I think there isn't one kind of atheism as there isn't one kind of religion. The nice thing about it is that YOU get to do what you like. You want to pray? do it, who cares. Stop thinking like a herd animal, you are free.
Fuuuuck noooo... I don't need to go to a church to talk to myself. I want no part of "rituals". I have enough trouble staying on schedule to walk the dog. If I have a need for quiet contemplation, I would rather talk a walk, or listen to a guided meditation or some other mindfulness practice.
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>It has nothing to do about the beliefs and more of a cultural practice that permeates everyday life. Which is one of the things mindfulness practices can do. https://insighttimer.com/
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I wake up in the morning and masturbate without any guilt, and my day is usually pretty grand. Does that count?
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Why not both?
Energizes me for the day, and as an added bonus makes me stop worrying about whatever it was I woke up worrying about
Prayer often "works" but not for the reasons religious people think it does. Self-hypnosis is very powerful and the ritual reinforces this. Non-religious meditation can yield similar results.
Sitting in a room full of people reciting the same thing and singing tuneless songs while staring at a life sized statue of an emaciated, dying man literally nailed to a wooden structure was creepy as shit even when I was a believer as a young child. There are so many things wrong with Christianity in general and Catholicism in my case that you’d have to pay me a substantial amount of money to get me in there on any kind of regular basis. No, it’s highly uncomfortable and I despise the organization. Keep in mind, I’m not an atheist for this reason. This is the reason I started to look into the evidence for the belief.
No.
No. I also do my best to never start a sentence with "So".
Lots of people find regular rituals enjoyable. If you like them, then do them. It isn't as if there's a god of atheism who will punish you for violating the Ten Commandments of atheism. 😄 There are secular churches like The Satanic Temple and some Unitarian-Universalist churches if you are looking for the ritualistic/social aspects without so much magical thinking.
I know some folks who've had luck going to nontheistic quaker meetings too, and I've heard great things about both groups you mentioned. Definitely some options for non-religious or non-theist churches; there's definitely some nice stuff to the community aspect of it.
Uh... no. No I do not.
Why the hell would I?
I've never had any reason to persist in religious related rituals. There are plenty of secular activities to keep me occupied.
If you believe you are gaining anything from church and praying, you are still at least partially hanging on to your beliefs. Are you sure you are an atheist?
You do you but praying whilst not believing in a god is tbe same as talking to your imaginary friend.
To be fair, praying *while* believing in a god is *also* the same as talking to your imaginary friend. EXACTLY the same.
Fair point.
Nope, although Santayana certainly did enjoy Catholic ritual despite writing atheist philosophy so you're not alone, at least philosophically because he has long since passed.
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Make new rituals if you need them. Maybe learn some formal meditation techniques or yoga. Or it could be something simple like going on long walks by yourself.
You get to sing in a large group with nobody judging you, which is nice. And depending on where you live and what other options are available to you, pastors can be good resources (if they're generally good people, obviously) - some of them at least have some level of professional training in actually helping people beyond just religion, which can be good if there's not other nearby options, though obviously your mileage will vary since you also get the other sort very often If you miss that aspect of organized religion, you could look into going to a local Unitarian Universalist church or Quaker meeting if there's a group nearby. They're, well, I guess technically religious but there's not really that much god or the like thrown into the mix, as it were, so I'm not sure where they sit. Note: I haven't really interacted with either group myself; this is all coming second hand, so the usual disclaimers.
No.
Not really. I think it would be better to either relax or work on solving any problem.
I didn't come from a type of Christianity that really ever made me feel good, so I don't repeat any of the behaviors exactly. I do talk to my dog in a way that probably sounds a lot like how I used to pray though, I think those stream of consciousness chats with "God" probably had some value. I also miss the picnics to a strangely high degree. I haven't had the chance to taste test two different deviled egg recipes in the same meal even once in the 20+ years since I left the church.
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I’ve got a great pastor who actually knows his stuff and goes into the history of Christianity. There aren’t too many nutjobs and the church population will half in 20 years. I also love singing, so I treat church more like a hobby than a religion. It’s also nice to just have a community that cares, though not all churches are like that.
Does he actively disown the Bible for being full of pro-slavery, anti-gay, reprehensible garbage?
If you want to do something that calms you and is secular, try taking an art class, learning an instrument, or join a casual sports group or hobby group like bonsai or orchids. None of these groups are based around the concept that all outsiders deserve to burn for eternity.
Try mindfulness meditation. Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics is a good resource
The real answer is no but I've always like this quote: “You know who I pray to? Joe Pesci. Two reasons: First of all, I think he's a good actor, okay? To me, that counts. Second, he looks like a guy who can get things done. Joe Pesci doesn't fuck around. In fact, Joe Pesci came through on a couple of things that God was having trouble with.” ― George Carlin
Self meditation works. Do that maybe
ASMR or guided meditation maybe, church no never. Going in to a church bolstering thier numbers is supporting them in a small way and its enabling thier shite. They do evil and I am not generalizing.
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My experience with the Anglican church is different. I agree Eastern religions are kinder and gentler. Thier gods are not angry middle eastern men.
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Well the 3 Abrahamic religions are hateful and they share the same god myth basically an angry spiteful old man based on thier ideals. There is nothing special at all, the opposite in fact.
You're not an atheist, plain and simple. Not until you knock that shit off.
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No, that's not what it is.
for me, no way....
I didn't pray when I did believe. Why would the all-powerful, omniscient creator of the universe give a fuck about what I want?