[HollowRhythms]

So. As a place where religion isn't supposed to be discussed, I've noticed many groups on the forum (and also "spirituality chat") why is there no place for like minded athiests to congregate, and share and perhaps maybe get to know each other???

This is an important thread.

In many countries atheists are persecuted and unable to discuss their views. Hopefully this will not apply to PC as well.

[DocJohn]

We ask that members avoid discussing religious topics, because people hold pretty strong opinions on those topics.

Just as we have no forums on religion -- we're a mental health community first and foremost -- we don't think it would be appropriate to have a forum against all religions.

However, you're welcomed to start your own social group for such discussion and encourage your fellow members who are interested in the topic to join.

[HollowRhythms]

spirituality chat.... i thought religion isn't supposed to be discussed there, as ppl have been banned for doing so... and yes, "At Jesus' Feet" "Christian Women's Support Group" etc. leaves out anyone who doesn't have these beliefs..... it's exclusive, not inclusive.

Doc John, atheists are not against religion, they're just people who are not convinced by religious claims.

Anti-theists are people who are against religion.

[Phreak]

An atheist lacks faith in God, believes there is no god, or lacks awareness of gods. An agnostic either believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a god or is noncommittal on the issue. The difference may seem small, but atheism and agnosticism are actually vastly different worldviews. [ Agnostic vs. atheist - Grammarist ]

[DocJohn]

Our spirituality forum is for just that -- discussions of spirituality. I assume the same is true of the chat. Spirituality is not a religion or a specific religious discussion, but remains important in many people's lives and recovery efforts.

Social groups are allowed to discuss the topics (religion and politics) we discourage elsewhere in the community, hence the religious groups you'll find in the list.

I'm sure if you Google for atheism communities, you'll find a plethora of them. And as I said in my original reply, you're welcome to start your own social group on the topic.

[yagr]

Originally Posted by HollowRhythms

spirituality chat.... i thought religion isn't supposed to be discussed there, as ppl have been banned for doing so... and yes, "At Jesus' Feet" "Christian Women's Support Group" etc. leaves out anyone who doesn't have these beliefs..... it's exclusive, not inclusive.

HollowRhythms,

I have not often been able to get to spirituality chat due to my schedule, but on the rare occasions that I have, I have enjoyed it. Perhaps you'll find that particularly noteworthy because I am an atheist. I also have posted numerous times on "At Jesus' Feet" and have found myself warmly welcomed.

I'd like to add my voice to Illegal Toilet's that atheists are not, by definition, against religion although it is true that some individuals are. In fact, I am both religious and atheist as are the vast majority of the 330 million Buddhists throughout the world. Spirituality and atheism are not mutually exclusive.

[Lobster Hands]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

We ask that members avoid discussing religious topics, because people hold pretty strong opinions on those topics.

Just as we have no forums on religion -- we're a mental health community first and foremost -- we don't think it would be appropriate to have a forum against all religions.

However, you're welcomed to start your own social group for such discussion and encourage your fellow members who are interested in the topic to join.

I for one am plagued daily by an onslaught of thoughts having to do with religion. Is it not right to discuss things that prey on our mental health?

Religious struggles are, in so many cases, directly responsible for mental and/or emotional turmoil. The freedom to discuss a topic on a MENTAL HEALTH site that is responsible for so many people's MENTAL HEALTH struggles is of paramount importance.

Can we honestly tell ourselves that religious struggles don't play a huge role in our overall emotional security and well-being as people that are part of an aging society that is becoming increasingly deculturated?

This all is comparable to a child growing into an adult that lacks adult ideas due to confinement. It's like a person that is physically growing but stuck thinking about one subject that eventually forces them into a psychological handicap.

Our emotional maturity is stagnating because of the need to conform to specific (and limiting) social guidelines.

We can't speak about topics here that may or may not form the base of our mental health struggle?.... Why don't we just try to cure cancer by injecting cough syrup too and hope for the best with crossed fingers? It doesn't quite make sense is what I'm saying.

[lizardlady]

For those who are interested there is a social group that might appeal to you. Folks in the group are very welcoming.

http://forums.psychcentral.com/groups/skeptics.html

There is another group called Growth Without Deities. I am an agnostic. Strong agnostic. I suppose I am agnostic because you cannot prove a negative... but you may as well say I don't believe in deities. Why should I? I've seen no evidence of any deities and have no personal need of a "higher power." The only thing that really bothers me about religious people other than that thing they call faith, is that so many of them want to force others to live by their religious beliefs even so far as injecting it into government and the judicial system.
What would you talk about with other atheists?

I've often thought how interesting it would be
had Greek Mythology become the primary world
religion instead of Christianity ...

The atheists will certainly do chat, but the agnostics may or may not.

Originally Posted by Pfrog

I've often thought how interesting it would be
had Greek Mythology become the primary world
religion instead of Christianity ...

I have wondered how religions transitioned into mythology and how religious people square their beliefs with that phenomena Those would probably be good topics for a non-believer forum.
It might also be interesting to share stories among those of us who had the fear of god drummed and beaten into us from childhood regarding how we became non believers. I know my path to non-believer was very very hard. I had my first doubts as a child even though I was born into a very religious family. and social environment. I had to do a lot of historical research to get there and I still occasionally feel the fear even though all the reading and searching left no doubt in my mind that deities and religion were human constructs.

I think spirituality and religiosity are two different things. You can be an atheist, yet spiritual. Sam Harris has a book on that.

Originally Posted by George H.

I have wondered how religions transitioned into mythology and how religious people square their beliefs with that phenomena Those would probably be good topics for a non-believer forum.
It might also be interesting to share stories among those of us who had the fear of god drummed and beaten into us from childhood regarding how we became non believers. I know my path to non-believer was very very hard. I had my first doubts as a child even though I was born into a very religious family. and social environment. I had to do a lot of historical research to get there and I still occasionally feel the fear even though all the reading and searching left no doubt in my mind that deities and religion were human constructs.

I'm just curious, how historical research changed your views?

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by Wandering Soul

You can be an atheist, yet spiritual.

Could you explain this a bit more?

Originally Posted by Wandering Soul

I'm just curious, how historical research changed your views?

Really? It's how I learned about the many different religions. How they developed. How much older other religions are than the one I was brought up in. How each new religion borrowed from older religions. How they splinted and evolved. How they died or became simply mythology. Its how I learned that there isn't a single shred of evidence of the existence of any deity. It's how I learned that there isn't even any historical evidence that the most well known man/deity in religion existed even as a man much less as a deity.
You see, in a way I really wanted very much to believe. I didn't want to believe in any particular deity... I never found a religion that had a deity who I felt was worthy of wanting to believe in. I just didn't want to accept that when the body dies, conscious life is over. That was the hardest part after conquering the fears instilled in me as a child. I've learned to accept that being an everlasting part of the universe will have to suffice. Energy never dies.

[yagr]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Could you explain this a bit more?

I know your question was directed to George, but if I may...I'm Buddhist. I'm also atheist.

Athiest, ex-catholic. Still spiritual.

Originally Posted by yagr

I know your question was directed to George, but if I may...I'm Buddhist. I'm also atheist.

Nope, not at me, at Wandering Soul. I'm not really even sure I understand the concept of spirituality unless it's something I know by a different name?
Sometimes when I look at clouds lit up like pearly castles by the light of the moon or watch trees dancing in the wind I feel something I can't quite define. A peaceful longing? A feeling I get from nothing else. It feels odd... it feels good. It has nothing to do with religion or deities.
Anyone want to define spirituality? The word spirit has a kind of supernatural connotation.

Originally Posted by yagr

I know your question was directed to George, but if I may...I'm Buddhist. I'm also atheist.

Did you mean agnostic?

Buddhism does have agnostics because there is no belief in a personal god.

I feel a purpose and inter-connectiveness towards the planet and all living things. Like I am a human, no better -or -worse than any other.

Originally Posted by George H.

Really? It's how I learned about the many different religions. How they developed. How much older other religions are than the one I was brought up in. How each new religion borrowed from older religions. How they splinted and evolved. How they died or became simply mythology. Its how I learned that there isn't a single shred of evidence of the existence of any deity. It's how I learned that there isn't even any historical evidence that the most well known man/deity in religion existed even as a man much less as a deity.
You see, in a way I really wanted very much to believe. I didn't want to believe in any particular deity... I never found a religion that had a deity who I felt was worthy of wanting to believe in. I just didn't want to accept that when the body dies, conscious life is over. That was the hardest part after conquering the fears instilled in me as a child. I've learned to accept that being an everlasting part of the universe will have to suffice. Energy never dies.

Your "Really?" sounded like if history knowledge means necessarily leaving religion. It didn't work for me. There was always an explanation that fits the religion's view, and I bought it. But when I became more involved in science, the explanations to refute or accommodate the evidence no longer made sense to me. It amazes me why history makes some to leave religion, while others it's science, yet for others neither history nor science nor anything else really can make them leave religion. The human mind is a mystery.