Why miss all the fun

@Remiforce Sorry, but do you say that about dental visits too?

g

@genessa I love the thought of Dawkinmas and St Hitchens Day!

Well run brothels provide other services. It might be worth it.

At that point it's just semantics. I guess it's just the connotation that goes with each term.

Whatever you want, it's a new religion

Run flats, don't cha know.

@oldFloyd sorry, don't get your comment....

@AnneWimsey Developments in automobile tires where they can be punctured and you can still safely drive at reduced speed for fifty to a hundred miles, as opposed to having to put a spare on immediately.

@oldFloyd yeah, I do know that, my 2018 car doesn't even have a spare........but as applicable to the OP? I guess like a belt & suspenders being overkill? Okay, lol!

@AnneWimsey Why reinvent the wheel, your last statement. Just pulling your leg.

It sure would. I wonder if there are Humanist Centers in various cities?

@Remiforce Me too! In the city that I grew up in, Winnipeg, there were places called 'community clubs' that were funded by the taxpayer & there was a variety of events that were offered for people to participate. But they have become extinct. It cost $.
However, there are lots of groups to become a member.

Or a community centre, those used to be great. Separating is so last Millenia we have problems to solve and the discourse of variance is often more productive than that of cronies.

@MichaelSpinler ???

@MichaelSpinler sorry dude, your analogy is faulty to the nth degree, quit while ahead.

@MichaelSpinler laugh all you want, still a moot point.

@MichaelSpinler some posts are so stupid, they aren't laughable, just stupid.

My thought, too. Do people gather to discuss what they don’t believe in??

@Bluemoon or even if they wanted to gather, why a church? Why not your local bar?

That may not be a bad idea. They can't do worst than what we have now

@Remiforce in fact we would be much better, but that is beside the point.

Atheism usually lacks the organization of a church. And while there may be humanist organisations, they are kind of an apples and oranges comparison with churches. Nothing is worshipped by humanists, for example.

Churches and religious groups generally require strong vertical heirarchies as leadership. Think about the Pope and bishops etc all the way down to the lowly choir boy. If it wasn't structured so rigorously, it would be too easy to call bullshit.

Then I suggest joining the Church of Satan. They don't believe in any gods or a literal Satan but are an established religion, with all the tax breaks. There is also religious Humanism to consider--they do not believe in gods either.

Religions can have members who are atheists; but atheism is not, and should never be considered to be, a religion.

@Joanne Maybe we want to emphasize Humanism & play down the Agnostic/Atheist stuff as part of our branding. Some people are turned off by the A words, in Humanism may help us build a big tent. But we'll have to define it as a religion for tax purposes

@Remiforce: I think the word atheist needs to be used and owned. The word has negative connotations and that needs to be changed. And, I think the best way to change it is to identify as an atheist while being a good person. I have talked to believers with whom I have a lot in common, politically etc. and they are surprised when I tell them I am an atheist. So, as I stated above, I think instead of dodging the word, we need to own it and educate believers at every opportunity.

And, as I said, a religion can be formed in which the members are atheists; but, atheism itself is not and should not be considered to be a religion--for tax purposes or any other--in my opinion.

I must say, I like the idea of forming a tax-free organization that is secular/atheist that goes around doing good deeds in the community.