Spirituality versus Religion

[TTChamp]

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Sounds decent, but it depends on the organization. An atheist group? Good. A "let's all get along" sort of thing? I'd get a bit less aggressive toward theists.

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I tentatively describe myself as an atheist but really I am more a-religious. I can't really say if there is some kind of a deity, but I am 100% certain that the actions the major religions take in the name of a deity are misguided.

That said, I don't like the word or the movement called atheism for the following reason:

1. The existence or non-existence of a deity is one question among many spiritual questions. For example, atheism does not address the idea of fate versus free-will, nor does it address the phenonena of consciousness. Atheism is too narrow an issue for me.

2. IMO, atheist organizations are terrible at communicating their beliefs to others and maintaining a positive image within the community. I don't think it a streatch to say that there are few worse organizations of any type than atheists at this. The only time you see them in the news is when they are trying to take down a girl scout troops christmas display. Also they come out so strongly against anything spiritual that they alienate people who recognize that religion is bs but don't see any alternative if they want to participate in a spiritual discussion or be part of the community.

I want to create an organization that is open to any spriritual dialog and provides the same beneficial community support as churches, but that actively opposes religious dogma. I don't want to marginalize my group by labeling it atheist.

In that context I am interested in your second opinion. Still too strong against the theists?

[John21]

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I want to create an organization that is open to any spriritual dialog and provides the same beneficial community support as churches, but that actively opposes religious dogma.

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Have you looked into Unitarianism?

Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a theologically liberal religious movement characterized by its support of a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." This principle permits Unitarian Universalists a wide range of beliefs and practices. Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions such as Sunday worship that includes a sermon and singing of hymns, but do not necessarily identify themselves as Christians.

Both Unitarianism and Universalism trace their roots to Christian Protestantism. Many UUs appreciate and value aspects of Christian and Jewish spirituality, but the extent to which the elements of any particular faith tradition are incorporated into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice in keeping with UU's creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.

[cambraceres]

John, can you elaborate on this odd form of belief? I can't see the whole system.

Cam

[John21]

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John, can you elaborate on this odd form of belief? I can't see the whole system.

Cam

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That was a wiki synopsis I quoted. The one branch of Unitarianism I'm familar with has the motto, "no creeds, just deeds," and focus more on the spiritual and moral aspects of life, rather than the dogmas and rituals of religion.

[TTChamp]

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Have you looked into Unitarianism?


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Thanks for posting this-their beliefs are along the same lines as mine. I plan to research this further.

[thylacine]

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[ QUOTE ]
Sounds decent, but it depends on the organization. An atheist group? Good. A "let's all get along" sort of thing? I'd get a bit less aggressive toward theists.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tentatively describe myself as an atheist but really I am more a-religious. I can't really say if there is some kind of a deity, but I am 100% certain that the actions the major religions take in the name of a deity are misguided.

That said, I don't like the word or the movement called atheism for the following reason:

1. The existence or non-existence of a deity is one question among many spiritual questions. For example, atheism does not address the idea of fate versus free-will, nor does it address the phenonena of consciousness. Atheism is too narrow an issue for me.

2. IMO, atheist organizations are terrible at communicating their beliefs to others and maintaining a positive image within the community. I don't think it a streatch to say that there are few worse organizations of any type than atheists at this. The only time you see them in the news is when they are trying to take down a girl scout troops christmas display. Also they come out so strongly against anything spiritual that they alienate people who recognize that religion is bs but don't see any alternative if they want to participate in a spiritual discussion or be part of the community.

I want to create an organization that is open to any spriritual dialog and provides the same beneficial community support as churches, but that actively opposes religious dogma. I don't want to marginalize my group by labeling it atheist.

In that context I am interested in your second opinion. Still too strong against the theists?

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You are using the term "atheist" where you should be using the term "straw-man atheist".

You need to understand why. It seems that your entire view of atheism comes straight from sunday school.

[TTChamp]

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You are using the term "atheist" where you should be using the term "straw-man atheist".

You need to understand why. It seems that your entire view of atheism comes straight from sunday school.

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I don't know about where you live, but I have lived all over the country and I have never seen a community where atheist have a positive image in the community as a whole. I'm not saying those places don't exist, but they are rare. Certainly their image is poor when you integrate over the entire country.

Please make more detailed posts or stop posting in this thread.

[thylacine]

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You are using the term "atheist" where you should be using the term "straw-man atheist".

You need to understand why. It seems that your entire view of atheism comes straight from sunday school.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about where you live, but I have lived all over the country and I have never seen a community where atheist have a positive image in the community as a whole. I'm not saying those places don't exist, but they are rare. Certainly their image is poor when you integrate over the entire country.

Please make more detailed posts or stop posting in this thread.

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If you made a statement that negatively misrepresented African Americans, Jews or Gays, to the same degree that you negatively misrepresented Atheists, you would be expelled from the Ku Klux Klan for being too extreme.

Do you see why?

[madnak]

In that case I'd rework the second paragraph. Things like "can't justify," "worse," "peculiar," "superstitious," and "dogmatic" should be removed, they create a confrontational tone. Also, while I can't pinpoint it, something about the mention of reason seems to be poisoning the well. I'd emphasize (subtly if possible) that there's nothing wrong with beliefs based on reason - or just use a more neutral tone. Right now when you say things like "these beliefs are not based on reason" I feel like you're implying that's a bad thing. Also I'd replace "make little sense" with "don't seem to make sense from a logical perspective" or something with a similar connotation.

[TTChamp]

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In that case I'd rework the second paragraph. Things like "can't justify," "worse," "peculiar," "superstitious," and "dogmatic" should be removed, they create a confrontational tone. Also, while I can't pinpoint it, something about the mention of reason seems to be poisoning the well. I'd emphasize (subtly if possible) that there's nothing wrong with beliefs based on reason - or just use a more neutral tone. Right now when you say things like "these beliefs are not based on reason" I feel like you're implying that's a bad thing. Also I'd replace "make little sense" with "don't seem to make sense from a logical perspective" or something with a similar connotation.

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Thanks.