tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post2414606259284670607..comments2024-03-20T03:33:22.357-07:00Comments on Skeptophilia: The First Church of AtheismGordon Bonnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-56995290268303704492013-09-25T17:11:56.528-07:002013-09-25T17:11:56.528-07:00When I said I would see you on Sunday I was being ...When I said I would see you on Sunday I was being facetious. I am very much an introvert, and as such, this activity does not appeal to me, either. Having watched a collection of youtube videos about this congregation in action, I feel that my mind would be more expanded at home, on Sunday, watching youtube videos of Scishow, Veritasium, Minutephysics, Vsauce, Smarter Every Day... the list goes on. <br /><br />And you summed it up quite well with "There's an undercurrent of condescension there that I find repellent."<br />No offense to Mr. Jones or Ms. Evans... I just don't believe they have anything revelatory to tell me and the only other reason for going (community), I've already described above.<br /><br />In spite of my personal feelings, on a social level, I applaud any movement that draws people away from myth and into reality.<br />(...and no, that is also not a significant reason enough to attend, either)<br /><br />If they manage to foment this organization into something that grows and maintains good social standing... and the purpose is still evident (I'm talkin 5 or so years), I will show my support monetarily.<br /><br />Gordon, here's a few links to some great videos about introversion/introverts:<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQH2U-kmBdY&feature=youtube_gdata_player<br />A Ted Talk "The Power of Introverts" by Susan Cain<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2GBKlgX3u8&feature=youtube_gdata_player<br /><br />Offers more of Susan Cain's data on introversion.<br /><br />-Cheers!Hontseur Thotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799765178908406877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-9857683572208066562013-09-25T08:20:44.503-07:002013-09-25T08:20:44.503-07:00Duncan...
I'm beginning to think, from the re...Duncan...<br /><br />I'm beginning to think, from the responses I've gotten, that my reaction to this isn't typical! I think that perhaps I hadn't credited enough how much my introversion/shyness plays into all of this. Despite my being an outspoken atheist, I really would have no inclination at all to be part of something like this.<br /><br />Funny how our own blind spots sometimes play into our perceptions -- I really didn't realize how unusual I was in this regard.<br /><br />cheers,<br /><br />gbGordon Bonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-28812887737424688642013-09-25T08:06:12.807-07:002013-09-25T08:06:12.807-07:00I dunno Gordon. Perhaps its because I identify as...I dunno Gordon. Perhaps its because I identify as an agnostic rather than an atheist, but I derive tremendous satisfaction from congregating (usually unintentionally) with other atheists and agnostics. As you may remember from AP bio/ES, I have a LOT to talk about, but its usually challenging to engage people in conversation about religion and its impacts on the globe without provoking their defense mechanisms. It might be nice to walk into a room and recognize that many of the people there are likely to be rational, intelligent, and open-minded. <br /><br />I think that humans have a fundamental need to form communities and social constructs, and that cohesive belief structures arise as an emergent property of these constructs. <br /><br />If Eddie Izzard is to be believed, the Church of England isn't really much more than a Sunday social club at this point anyway. If someone extended an invitation to a social club that met weekly and gave me a wink and said "don't worry, no religious people allowed" I would probably jump at the opportunity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838913538173438833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-84782458097082283752013-09-25T07:23:16.618-07:002013-09-25T07:23:16.618-07:00Thanks for the corrections. And just for the reco...Thanks for the corrections. And just for the record, I wasn't trying to imply that the Sunday Assembly WAS proselytizing; simply that this becomes the raison d'etre for a lot of groups that are taking their model from religion.<br /><br />Unfortunately, there isn't anything like this anywhere near me -- so your suggestion to attend despite my hesitancy isn't going to work, at least not for the time being. In either case, I appreciate your response.Gordon Bonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-31699246438739553032013-09-25T07:04:59.138-07:002013-09-25T07:04:59.138-07:00A few corrections:
1. The church is leased on a mo...A few corrections:<br />1. The church is leased on a monthy basis, not purchased. Stating it was purchased suggests that the Sunday Assembly have funding when they are a non-profit organisation who have been running at a loss since they began.<br /><br />2. There are already a number of assemblies in England, Australia, and America. The expansion in November is simply to open more, not to begin expanding.<br /><br />I know it's been said in every article written on Sunday Assembly thus far, but they gather to celebrate life under the motto 'Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More'. <br /><br />Although it may be hard to imagine the godless moving beyond the conversation that there is no god, that is exactly what SA have managed. As their public charter states "We don’t do supernatural but we also won’t tell you you’re wrong if you do". The talks revolve around how to live a better life and how to help others, not belief systems or religion bashing. Speakers are different at every service so there are no central tenets to the talks beyond them all being advice from public speakers in a particular field: community workers, academics, doctors etc.<br /><br />One may argue that they are proselytising that central message of 'Live better, help often, wonder more' and if that's the case, it's the best darn message I've ever heard being proselytised. <br /><br />In my opinion, you should attend an assembly one day. Hang out at the back, don't join in and leave early. At least then you can write an informed blog on something you've actually experienced.Katie Melbournehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362214180872226745noreply@blogger.com