I’ve invoked similar arguments in favor of organized religion. While atheists could in principle get together every week and sing together, I don’t know any who actually do, and I think we’re worse off for it. Probably part of the appeal of humanistic churches.
I recommend the Unitarian Universalist church. I went to one as a child, and the focus was on humanism and morality and not god and faith. The sunday school taught a different religion every weekend, making it nearly impossible to believe any of them were true. Most of the people there didn’t really believe in god anyway, but were there for the reasons you so name.
What are the circumstances under which an x-rationalist would get a feeling of belonging? If there are no such circumstances, this is hardly a critique of Ethical Culture in particular.
Note the functions that I listed: the singing isn’t strictly necessary; any bonding/reinforcement mechanism would work, but singing is very effective. If you could get the general mutualist functions down, then you’d have a competitive option.
I’ve invoked similar arguments in favor of organized religion. While atheists could in principle get together every week and sing together, I don’t know any who actually do, and I think we’re worse off for it. Probably part of the appeal of humanistic churches.
I recommend the Unitarian Universalist church. I went to one as a child, and the focus was on humanism and morality and not god and faith. The sunday school taught a different religion every weekend, making it nearly impossible to believe any of them were true. Most of the people there didn’t really believe in god anyway, but were there for the reasons you so name.
And there’s the less ubiquitous Ethical Culture Society, which is even less religious than Unitarianism.
I wonder, though, if an x-rationalist would get a feeling of belonging there.
What are the circumstances under which an x-rationalist would get a feeling of belonging? If there are no such circumstances, this is hardly a critique of Ethical Culture in particular.
Note the functions that I listed: the singing isn’t strictly necessary; any bonding/reinforcement mechanism would work, but singing is very effective. If you could get the general mutualist functions down, then you’d have a competitive option.
Ugh. The horrible music is the worst thing about church. Give me sermons about fire and brimstone any day.
Well, we would have better music, of course!
Indeed.