Comments on: An Atheist’s Feeling of Wonder

By: Name?

Name? — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:11:05 +0000

Community? I get plenty of community experience, even though I’m an atheist. I live in the world and attend public high school and try to get along with people.
See? Community!
What am I supposed to do? Join a club for atheists? No thanks. It’s just not for me.

By: Brendon

Brendon — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:27:30 +0000

For me, the incredible existence of this amazing galaxy and everything within it becomes dulled and somewhat less incredible when someone claims it to have all been created by the will of some macro-being. What could be more wondrous and remarkable than existence without initial intervention by an outside source?

I’ve been thinking of a tonne of criticisms to chuck at this article, but I thought none of them were very nice, or helpful, so I’ll just say that “macro-being” whom I worship has put all that is “wondrous and remarkable” in our universe and that does not make it any less so.

You might as well say that a song is “dulled” by the fact that someone needs to sing it, or a novel better if it had written itself…

By: miller

miller — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:41:36 +0000

Unbrainwashed,
First of all, I think the shared interests and views among atheists are exaggerated by selection biases on the internet. Of the several atheists I know, none of them are in organizations, and none of them share most of the interests you have outlined (except for me). I don’t argue that atheists are as disparate a group as, say, non-chess-players, but I don’t think you can get the whole picture just by looking on the internet or in organizations, which are disproportionately full of activists.

Second of all, I do not mean to say there is necessarily anything wrong with a group that shares common interests like you describe. It’s just that when Hemant complains about certain individuals who won’t join organizations, I feel compelled to give my personal excuses.

Frankly, I lack the courage, commitment, and motivation to join. I have enough trouble joining normal groups. I’m not an activist, I just like to argue on the internet. I don’t need the community, and I never got one from my church either. And the in-awe-of-the-universe spirituality is a little off-putting to me; I have to keep on reminding myself that there’s nothing wrong with it, since it’s for other people.

By: Miko

Miko — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:12:22 +0000

Community is good, but I don’t see the point of atheist community in general. No one goes to “I don’t play chess” clubs, so why should they go to “I don’t believe in god” clubs?

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:45:34 +0000

The problem is when a bunch of atheists get together what do they do? If there isn’t some other interests that they have in common simple atheism itself does not suggest an activity or venue that will support the community.

By: The Unbrainwashed

The Unbrainwashed — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:28:12 +0000

miller,
I completely disagree with you. I don’t encourage atheists to seclude themselves from other viewpoints, but being an atheist usually does not constitute one simple belief. It is indicative of more than just an entire worldview that can come up repeatedly in daily life. It also encompasses a number of interests, such as philosophical discussion, rational thought, science, etc. Being amongst other atheists is comforting because other atheists share these interests. It’s just like going to a sports game with your friends who happen to root for the same team. I have befriended plenty of people who root for other teams, but I’d rather watch the game with those who’s favorite team matches my own.

By: miller

miller — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:32:43 +0000

I’m one of those individual atheists who refuses to join. I’d rather look for community among people I know, not people who simply share a single identity label. Rather than trying to reach for some sort of atheist utopia, perhaps people should learn to make great communities with diverse viewpoints. After all, you will have to learn to do this anyway if you want an all-inclusive atheist community.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:20:25 +0000

Wow, another homeschooling atheist! Thank goodness for the internet- I will have to check out your website when I get the chance.

By: Ute

Ute — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:04:22 +0000

Cailin, your thoughts are beautifully written.

By: [website] $ sudo life » Blog Archive » Looking at the ‘Verse.

[website] $ sudo life » Blog Archive » Looking at the ‘Verse. — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:34:55 +0000

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