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Theme Changer

 Topic: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?

 (Read 1986 times)
  • 1« Previous thread | Next thread »
  • A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     OP - January 09, 2012, 04:32 PM
    I think these gathering places are appealing to many people because they allow them to meet and befriend others who share their religious views. Online forums are good and all, but they're not quite as personal.

    What I envision are halls where people could meet periodically to discuss science, philosophy, religion, history. Maybe they could have a main speaker, but feedback and discussion would be encouraged.

    What do you think?
    Have you heard the good news? There is no God!
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #1 - January 09, 2012, 05:15 PM
    sounds a bit like school grin12

    ...and they could be part of non-religious charities like doctors without borders!!.. i'd defintely go.. i like it
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV9vdUjuWxc
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #2 - January 09, 2012, 05:22 PM
    Against the ruin of the world, there
    is only one defense: the creative act.

    -- Kenneth Rexroth
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #3 - January 09, 2012, 05:35 PM
    Quote from: nessrriinn on January 09, 2012, 05:15 PM
    sounds a bit like school grin12

    ...and they could be part of non-religious charities like doctors without borders!!.. i'd defintely go.. i like it


    More like a club than school, but yeah Smiley

    @arX: that's...different Tongue

    Have you heard the good news? There is no God!
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #4 - January 09, 2012, 05:37 PM
    Well, you could have Carl Sagan's talks auto-tuned over the tracks.
    Against the ruin of the world, there
    is only one defense: the creative act.

    -- Kenneth Rexroth
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #5 - January 09, 2012, 05:44 PM
    Union halls were once a secular alternative. Back in the day union halls weren't just for union meetings, you would have various activities hosted there-- banquets, dances, birthday parties, raffles/bingo/gambling, conferences/seminars/lectures, etc. You can still find some union halls where these sort of things happen but it's much less common now than it used to be.
    fuck you
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #6 - January 09, 2012, 09:37 PM
    Ever tried looking for groups on places like meetup.com?
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #7 - January 09, 2012, 09:55 PM
     i've heard of meet ups called atheists in the pub... which sounds pretty neat,..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV9vdUjuWxc
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #8 - January 09, 2012, 09:59 PM
    Quote from: arX on January 09, 2012, 05:22 PM
    (Clicky for piccy!)

    That works. dance
    Devious, treacherous, murderous, neanderthal, sub-human of the West. bunny
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #9 - January 09, 2012, 10:27 PM
    Quote from: arX on January 09, 2012, 05:37 PM
    Well, you could have Carl Sagan's talks auto-tuned over the tracks.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

    Quote from: Colonel Q-Daffi on January 09, 2012, 05:44 PM
    Union halls were once a secular alternative. Back in the day union halls weren't just for union meetings, you would have various activities hosted there-- banquets, dances, birthday parties, raffles/bingo/gambling, conferences/seminars/lectures, etc. You can still find some union halls where these sort of things happen but it's much less common now than it used to be.


    Cool, something like this but with narrower focus would be nice. I think it would be a good niche to tap into, especially in countries with many irreligious people like Britain. It probably wouldn't work too well in US.
    Have you heard the good news? There is no God!
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #10 - January 09, 2012, 11:25 PM
    Quote from: Stuff on January 09, 2012, 10:27 PM
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

    Against the ruin of the world, there
    is only one defense: the creative act.

    -- Kenneth Rexroth
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #11 - January 11, 2012, 01:57 PM
    The non-religous community lack a place to hold funerals, or a proper method to conduct funerals even.  This is why churches and mosques will always serve a purpose.

    However irreligous or atheist a person may be, chances are their funeral will still be held in a church or mosque.  This needs to change, then hopefully we'll see less churches and mosques.
    .
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #12 - January 11, 2012, 02:12 PM
    Quote
    The non-religous community lack a place to hold funerals, or a proper method to conduct funerals even.  This is why churches and mosques will always serve a purpose.

    However irreligous or atheist a person may be, chances are their funeral will still be held in a church or mosque.  This needs to change, then hopefully we'll see less churches and mosques.


    Well, in theory these new buildings could take on those functions, at least in countries with significant irreligious populations which can support them financially.
    Have you heard the good news? There is no God!
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #13 - January 11, 2012, 02:25 PM
    Quote from: Shahid Raza on January 11, 2012, 01:57 PM
    However irreligous or atheist a person may be, chances are their funeral will still be held in a church or mosque.  This needs to change, then hopefully we'll see less churches and mosques.


    What?! Can't you say you object to that in your will?

    I will NOT let an Imam fucking lead my funeral. Never.
    قل للمليحة في الخمار الأسود
    مـاذا فـعــلت بــناسـك مـتـعـبد

    قـد كـان شـمّر لــلـصلاة ثـيابه
    حتى خـطرت له بباب المسجد

    ردي عليـه صـلاتـه وصيـامــه
    لا تـقــتـلــيه بـحـق ديــن محمد
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #14 - January 11, 2012, 10:38 PM
    Funeral homes are quite popular in the UK... You can choose to have little or no religious overtones in the ceremony. Assuming your family or spouses are well aware that's the kind of funeral you want.... else you're kinda fucked :/
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #15 - January 11, 2012, 11:41 PM
    Quote from: harakaat on January 11, 2012, 02:25 PM
    What?! Can't you say you object to that in your will?

    Unfortunately not.  I'm. It openly ex-Muslim.  I'm still in the closet.

    Quote from: Sir Wankalot on January 11, 2012, 10:38 PM
    Funeral homes are quite popular in the UK... You can choose to have little or no religious overtones in the ceremony. Assuming your family or spouses are well aware that's the kind of funeral you want.... else you're kinda fucked :/

    Do funeral halls cost money?  Come to think of it, do mosques and churches charge money to conduct funerals?
    .
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #16 - January 12, 2012, 07:44 AM
    Quote from: Shahid Raza on January 11, 2012, 11:41 PM
    Do funeral halls cost money?  Come to think of it, do mosques and churches charge money to conduct funerals?


    Funerals do cost quite a lot of money, trust me. Coffins alone can be quite a pocket burner.

    Not sure if churches and mosques charge money. That's a very good question though.

    ETA: A quick google search indicates that churches at least also charge for their services, although they are probably cheaper than funeral homes. And in some places if you are a member of the church, you might get a lower rate.
    Haven't looked up results for mosques, but maybe some members here might know.
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #17 - January 12, 2012, 10:56 PM
    why do atheists need funerals? wouldnt it be a lot more efficient to be burnt and scattered at sea or something given the monstrous amount of space grave yards take up and given that you'll only be dug up again in a few decades. dont you think that even in atheism, man is still holding on to rituals and to truely be free and let go, you would need to remove any form of rituals. the question should become, whats teh most efficient way of disposing of the deceased without it being a burden on the tax payer
  • Re: A secular alternative to churches/masjids?
     Reply #18 - January 12, 2012, 10:57 PM
    also, regarding places to meet up, i dont think they need a special atheist hall or something but the idea of science and knkowledge exchanges is good definitely, places where you can talk about intellectual things abnd have banquets and things
  • 1« Previous thread | Next thread »