WNCAtheists

[Before you head off on a rant, read the whole post]

The churches of organized religion(s) have undeniably had a significant impact on the history of our country, and our world. In some ways they have hindered, and in some aided our development. Instead of looking at how they have hindered, there is something to be learned by looking at how churches have helped us.
It is first important to realize that �church� and �religion�, though symbiotic are two distinct phenomena. Not all religionists belong to a church, neither are church members always adherent to the religious doctrine of their churches. Religion does not in and of itself draw individuals to, nor hold individuals in the organizations of churches.
That said, there must be some other unifying force that serves as the glue for these institutions. �God�? - I don�t think so. There is a simpler, observable phenomenon that is the likely answer- social interaction.
If you listen to the banter of the religious around you today, you�ll probably hear them speaking of past and planned activities within their churches. Discussion of the social aspects of the organizations that they belong to most often supercedes discussion of spiritual experiences. This is not to say that none ever hawk on supernatural �love� � but in my experience, such speeches are mostly reserved for attempts at �selling� the listener (or themselves) on religion.
We are undeniably social animals; evolution has made us this way. Acceptance and support from those around us are important to our psychological and emotional wellbeing. Safety and security among other things draws us together. Many of us just like being around other people. It is a rare example of our species that does not reach out to others in some form or fashion.
Do you know your neighbors? Many of us today wouldn�t even recognize them if we passed them on the street. If you don�t know them, how willing would you be to reach out a helping hand if they were in need? How would you even know that they were in need? Might they share some of your interests?
When our country was much younger, you�d know not only your neighbors, but also nearly everyone in town. This familiarity existed not because everyone came around to introduce him or herself, but (at least in part) because most everyone congregated to a particular spot on Sunday mornings, and throughout the week. Some rural communities are still like that today.
When our ancestors came together in this fashion, much good came about. If a fire destroyed your barn or your home, those within your church would band together to rebuild. If disease struck your family, you could count on people in your church helping tend to the sick. If the government reached into your community without regard for its citizenry, the community would stand together and slap good ole� Uncle Sam�s hand (and he�d be more apt to take notice back then too) �because they knew and supported each other. Whatever your hardship may have been there�d always be someone and some place you could turn to.
And, what about the good times? The joyous moments of life were celebrated in the church community. From marriages and births, to harvests and holidays our ancestors shared the good times with one-another as well. Often, for no particular reason at all, church members would get together to share music, food, and each other�s company.
�That was then, this is now� � as for the majority of church organizations that I�ve seen or read about today, I�d tell the members to get out fast. Corruption, greed, bigotry, personal politics and agendas, as well as other unsavory goings-on have more than tarnished these institutions.
So, where can you turn to now? I�d recommend that everyone find some form of organization to fulfill the need for social interaction and support - particularly the �non-believers�. Those of us without religion or belief in deities are a rag-tag bunch, scattered all over the place � many of us not even realizing that there are other non-believers nearby. I�ve met quite a few atheists who thought they were �the only one around�.
There are a few large organizations out there specifically for us non-believers, and they aren�t too hard to find. The majority of them are doing great work on the behalf of all of us who don�t �believe�. Political and legal action on our behalf is particularly important with the current shenanigans of our local and national leaders. The fervency with which these organizations are activists, though is a double-edged sword.
Fact is, not all non-believers are activists. To be an activist takes a certain je ne-sais quoi. But, I do know a few things that can inhibit people from taking a public stand: fear � of ostracism and persecution, isolation � not being aware of what�s going on around you, and disinterest � because your life is progressing just fine the way things are. These inhibitors feed into each other, and not only inhibit activism, but inhibit people from joining groups that are seen as primarily �activist�. All of these inhibitors could be wiped-out completely if there were a sense of community among us.
Besides the activism factor, many of us live in areas where there are no organizations focused on our social needs. I�ve even known non-believers who attended church functions simply because there was no other form of social interaction around at all.
If there�s no local group in your area for non-believers, then start one. All it takes to get going is finding a few others. If you have difficulty finding people on your own, don�t get discouraged too quickly, look for a group in another area, and ask them how they found each other.
If you look at the numbers, about 10-14% of the nation is non-religious. That doesn�t mean much, until you really think about it. How many people live in your area? What�s 10% of that? If you pass ten cars on your way to work or school, odds are you�ve passed someone else who�s non-religious.
Looking to the future - Our numbers are growing. Someday, the
non-believers may outnumber the believers. If that day comes, what organizations will fill the social need of our people? Shouldn�t we plan ahead?

Rusting Car Bumper

Yes. and I do attend church...

Church of Freethought

In fact, we should form our own. I wish more peope would.

DC

Autonemesis

The problem with starting an infidel "church" is that we don't believe in a all-seeing eye that might think badly of us if we don't go. So there's none of that peer pressure available. Without it, I don't think there'd be any churches today. People go to church because they think they're supposed to. The all-seeing eye wants it, and there's no shortage of people in their community to remind them of that.

Secular Pinoy

While true to some extent, I believe this oversimplifies the reasons for going to church. Churches serves a social function where like-minded people mingle and socialize together. It is different from a club in that it is more family oriented. I wouldn't mind attending a Freethought church if there's one in my community.

WNCAtheists

Seems you answered your own argument without realizing it.

There is no 'all seeing eye', in any church.

It's the people in the community who encourage others to attend.

Granted, some 'encourage' by threat, but if you honestly look around (check out the 'church activities' section of your local paper) I think you'll agree many such organizations encourage members by offering activities, 'fellowship' and the like.

Barcode

I'd go if there was something in the U.K, alas ...

scarmig

And then are those of us who have actively retrained our minds to overcome our natural hermitage and try to give a damn whether the whole human race exists on any particular day or not.

Honestly. Social interaction ain't all it's cracked up to be.

southernhybrid

Welcome WNCatheists! I agree with most of your points. While I prefer not to call it a church, here's the cozy group of atheists that I recently joined. I love my little nonchurch!

Rusting Car Bumper

No. I go because I want to and so do all of the others that attend.

DC

Rusting Car Bumper

If there isn't something in the UK then I say you've just volunteered to create something in the UK.

DC