Atheist question.

[tonilea]

I ask this with respect and sincerity. Do atheist hold meetings? I assume where atheism is the topic of discussion?

I ask in relation to this article: http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct10/0,4670,MilitaryReligion,00.html

Hall and the foundation sued over Hall's claims that a major prevented him from holding an atheist meeting while deployed in Iraq. That officer denied the allegation.

There is more to the article than this quote, but this was the part that struck me as odd. I didn't realize that atheists had meetings to discuss what they don't believe.

 

[Pigeon]

I've never heard of anything like that, but people hold discussion groups for all sorts of things, so it isn't out of the question.

 

[corndog]

I have never been to an atheist meeting, or invited to one.

 

[tonilea]

I've never heard of anything like that, but people hold discussion groups for all sorts of things, so it isn't out of the question.

I agree it wouldn't be out of the question, but I had never heard of such a thing either.

I am not suggesting that atheists couldn't or wouldn't, more like "haven't" in my limited knowledge of atheist practices.

 

[perla75]

This website might be helpful for your question:

http://www.atheistalliance.org/aai/members.php

 

[tonilea]

This website might be helpful for your question:

http://www.atheistalliance.org/aai/members.php

Thank you.

 

[bumbershoot]

It could also have been a meeting where a group of people got together to discuss anything under the sun without wondering if someone is going to thank a diety for something, or bless someone for sneezing, or say "Oh insert diety's name here", and so on and so forth.

Like a meeting of vegetarians, where no one has to worry about someone bringing Jello or something with chicken stock in it.

 

[yeartolate]

No meetings, just a secret handshake.

 

[Nomi]

Even though I am an atheist I've never been to one myself, but people hold meeting for any shared interest, from atheism to goldfish to chess to slugs to disney. So, yes, though I would think they would be mostly informal fun get-togethers.

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't know that I'd go to a meeting about slugs, but your other choices would be fine,

 

[metalis4ever]

There is an increase in Atheist gatherings and more specifically Free Thinking societies. Many cities and states have their own Free Thinking socieites if you will. Furthermore there are many discussion boards and podcasts online which encourage the free flowing of ideas and discussion regarding free thought. The best example would be infidelguy.com, The Infidel Guy has a weekly podcast with varying guests both religious and nonreligious to discuss religion and its place in society in an open minded way. Infidelguy.com also has a show called the Bible Geek show to discuss interpretations and meanings of Bible passages.
There is still much predjudice towards atheists and free thinkers and I have heard and read about many instances of predjudice occuring in the military. It is a shame really when one thinks about it these men and women are fighting and dying for the Freedoms inherint in our Great Nation, yet they are faced with discrimination and predjudice. ( Not just Atheists by the way feel this predjudice)

But for more answers and insight go to infidelguy.com

 

[Disney Ella]

I would think that one of the advantages of being an atheist is that you don't have to go to services or meetings!

 

[Kies99]

I would think that one of the advantages of being an atheist is that you don't have to go to services or meetings!

That's why I'm an Atheist. I don't have to go to church!

 

[freckles and boo]

I am not a "joiner". No meetings for me. But many people like to feel like they are a part of a community. I would imagine that need for community is especially important when one is feeling marginalized.

 

[bicker]

Atheists are welcome at Unitarian Universalist churches (regardless of the fact that they are not necessarily in synch with the majority of religious perspectives held).

 

[mom2rb]

That's why I'm an Atheist. I don't have to go to church!

It's not the reason I'm an Atheist but it is a great perk.

 

[tonilea]

Even though I am an atheist I've never been to one myself, but people hold meeting for any shared interest, from atheism to goldfish to chess to slugs to disney. So, yes, though I would think they would be mostly informal fun get-togethers.

I agree people can and do have meetings about most anything. I don't think the goldfish, chess, slugs and disney would be covered by freedom of religion, which in the context of the soldier's story caused me to question.

 

[Took]

Yes, Unitarian-Universalists do have atheist members who are welcome. But, most atheists I know don't go to any meetings or churches as they, too, are not joiners.

took

 

[Micca]

I would think that one of the advantages of being an atheist is that you don't have to go to services or meetings!

+1

 

[GeorgeG]

As an atheist myself, I'm not aware of any meetings and would not be interested in attending one.

There seems to be a perception that atheists are an organized cult or something like that. In reality, we are simply individuals who do not believe what others have been taught to believe about there being a god or any other diety. As with anything, there are probably exceptiions who must make their point, but most of us just want to be left to believe (or not) what we believe. Any tensions that arise are usually from in-your-face Christians who can't let that be. I have a lot of Christian and Jewish friends and am even helping some out playing in their church band for a few weeks. They believe what they do and respect my decision not to believe. It's that simple.