First Atheist Sunday Assembly in Dublin

the yellow tinker

Hello fellow Godless heathens,
Thought id share this bit of news regarding the first Sunday assembly in Ireland on Nov 1st in the Little Museum in Dublin.

A couple of links below to the details, would be interested in peoples opinions on the idea of or growth of godless congregations?

https://assemblydublin.eventbrite.co.uk/

http://sundayassembly.com/

Nervous Wreck

The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that meets to hear great talks, sing songs and generally celebrate the wonder of life. It’s a service for anyone who wants to live better, help often and wonder more.

Part of the reason I dissociate myself from religion is to avoid all this hippy crap.

Pherekydes

I've better things to be doing on a Sunday than going to "church". :rolleyes:

Pherekydes

The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that meets to hear great talks, sing songs and generally celebrate the wonder of life. It’s a service for anyone who wants to live better, help often and wonder more.

Jeez, I contemplate the wonder of life nearly every morning at 4:45 a.m., when I get up to drive the kids to the pool.

"Dad, is there a god? Why do we have to train at 5 a.m.? Mmmmm, it's foggy again. I think you just ran over a cyclist..."

robindch

Pherekydes wrote: »

I've better things to be doing on a Sunday than going to "church". :rolleyes:

Not sure you had time to grok the link fully before commenting upon it.

The event's taking place on the first Friday in November. At seven in the evening.

Pherekydes

robindch wrote: »

Not sure you had time to grok the link fully before commenting upon it.

The event's taking place on the first Friday in November. At seven in the evening.

Ah, ****. Sunday now falls on Friday?

Is nothing sacred any more? :pac:

robindch

Pherekydes wrote: »

Sunday now falls on Friday?

It's an in-joke. Welcome to the club.

FYI, we do our wine-into-water thing on a Friday evening. The religious do the opposite, starting Sunday, perhaps from around mid-morning.

Hotblack Desiato

There used to be catholic devotions on first Fridays, maybe still is...

found it... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Friday_Devotions

MrPudding

Pherekydes wrote: »

Jeez, I contemplate the wonder of life nearly every morning at 4:45 a.m., when I get up to drive the kids to the pool.

"Dad, is there a god? Why do we have to train at 5 a.m.? Mmmmm, it's foggy again. I think you just ran over a cyclist..."

Ah, fellow swimming parent. I salute you.

MrP

Bannasidhe

robindch wrote: »

It's an in-joke. Welcome to the club.

FYI, we do our wine-into-water thing on a Friday evening. The religious do the opposite, starting Sunday, perhaps from around mid-morning.

I've been doing ale into urine thing :eek:.

Dammit - I really should start reading the manuals rules guidelines bumpf.

kylith

I just don't get the point of stuff like that, it just gives more 'proof' to people that atheism is a religion. I'd rather go to a lecture or the pub than to something celebrating atheism.

Banbh

This Sunday morning stuff is obviously aimed at non-Christian atheists.
What about the non-Muslim atheists? How about a rasher sandwich on a Friday with women not wearing bin liners on their heads and gays not being beaten up?

I live better by going to the gym instead

smacl

robindch wrote: »

FYI, we do our wine-into-water thing on a Friday evening. The religious do the opposite, starting Sunday, perhaps from around mid-morning.

So if you all went off together in one of L.Ron's big space ships you'd form a symbiotic relationship in a closed ecosystem. Nice!

Geomy

smacl wrote: »

So if you all went off together in one of L.Ron's big space ships you'd form a symbiotic relationship in a closed ecosystem. Nice!

Id say it would be a very small space ship, but it might catch on....
:-D

Nodin

Pherekydes wrote: »

Jeez, I contemplate the wonder of life nearly every morning at 4:45 a.m., when I get up to drive the kids to the pool.

"Dad, is there a god? Why do we have to train at 5 a.m.? Mmmmm, it's foggy again. I think you just ran over a cyclist..."

Good jaysus......

kylith

Pherekydes wrote: »

Jeez, I contemplate the wonder of life nearly every morning at 4:45 a.m., when I get up to drive the kids to the pool.

"Dad, is there a god? Why do we have to train at 5 a.m.? Mmmmm, it's foggy again. I think you just ran over a cyclist..."

MrPudding wrote: »

Ah, fellow swimming parent. I salute you.

MrP

I've noticed that kids who swim competitively tend to get a car as soon as they're of age to drive unattended.

MrPudding

kylith wrote: »

I've noticed that kids who swim competitively tend to get a car as soon as they're of age to drive unattended.

Yes, quite true actually. It is pretty grim. Our daughter had 3 0530hrs training sessions per week, plus another 4 in the afternoon or evening, at one point. The pool was a 25 minute drive away. Not fun.

MrP

Banbh

My kids get up at 3am, light the fire and roast a freshly snared rabbit before jogging naked to the sea for swimming training. I am not in the least ruining their young lives to compensate for my own failings and they will love me one day.

MrPudding

Banbh wrote: »

My kids get up at 3am, light the fire and roast a freshly snared rabbit before jogging naked to the sea for swimming training. I am not in the least ruining their young lives to compensate for my own failings and they will love me one day.

Meh, I find they are more likely to ruin ours... I must admit, when my daughter told me she did not want to do the early mornings any more and wanted to move to a less competitive, local, club I did not put up much of a fight.

MrP

kylith

MrPudding wrote: »

Meh, I find they are more likely to ruin ours... I must admit, when my daughter told me she did not want to do the early mornings any more and wanted to move to a less competitive, local, club I did not put up much of a fight.

MrP

When I worked in pools I was continually amazed that so many kids actually wanted to get up at 0500 and go swimming while their parent was guzzling coffee on poolside.

There's a lot of emphasis on competition in most clubs which, while not a bad thing in itself, must surely be offputting for kids who just don't have a natural flair, or who just want to swim for fitness.

sbsquarepants

kylith wrote: »

I just don't get the point of stuff like that, it just gives more 'proof' to people that atheism is a religion. I'd rather go to a lecture or the pub than to something celebrating atheism.

I couldn't agree more - Atheist mass - what a fúcking stupid idea!
I for one shall not be in attendance, preferring instead to marvel at the wonder of life, beer in hand from the comfort of my sofa.

Geomy

There's just something very iffy about all this, who's the leader ?
Is there any dues or fees ?

Would it involve Atheists helping Atheists cope with Agnostics,Theists,and Spiritualists trying to bring them to the dark side. ...
That could be helpful. ...

Is there many here going ?

Id love to hear how it works out, it could be good for people who like herd mentality and group get togethers....

smacl

Geomy wrote: »

Is there any dues or fees ?

That was my first reaction too. The video has a real evangelical ring to it, and I'm wondering do they pass the hat around at the end. Nothing wrong with a get together with like minded people, but this thing has a vaguely Tony Robbins self help type of vibe.

Would it involve Atheists helping Atheists cope with Agnostics,Theists,and Spiritualists trying to bring them to the dark side. ...
That could be helpful. ...

Is there many here going ?

Id love to hear how it works out, it could be good for people who like herd mentality and group get togethers....

Only way to find out is to drop into one of them and find out. Seems like a church / lecture format, so you could probably remain reasonably anonymous. Could just be a bunch of ex-theists celebrating having escaped the church. People used to meeting others in a congregation format might well miss the social aspect, so it's not unreasonable to look for a substitute. No plans on going myself.

eyescreamcone

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Part of the reason I dissociate myself from religion is to avoid all this hippy crap.

It's not compulsary though, thank god

Banbh

The facilitator in our Atheist Sunday Gathering told us not to mix with the Agnostics as they could lead us in the ways of wrong-headedness and false-thinking.

Geomy

Banbh wrote: »

The facilitator in our Atheist Sunday Gathering told us not to mix with the Agnostics as they could lead us in the ways of wrong-headedness and false-thinking.

I kinda thought that would happen alright, us Agnostics are always not to be trusted lol

Do ye have an imperial wizard guy with a funny pointed hat telling the heathens about the bad ass agnostics and even deadlier theists ?

Can't wait to hear about the different sects that will branch off from it all.

The hazards of atheism ;-)

Rented Mule

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Part of the reason I dissociate myself from religion is to avoid all this hippy crap.

..and not having to get up on Sundays.

iguana

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Part of the reason I dissociate myself from religion is to avoid all this hippy crap.

On the other hand some people like that 'hippy crap' but don't believe in a god so may welcome this opportunity to have a secular space in which they can indulge in some philosophical, celebratory sharing. I read the A/A board on Babycentre sometimes and a lot of the posters there attend UU churches as they enjoy the community aspect that can come with belonging to a religion but don't want any of the religious crap that goes with it. It's not my cup of tea but I don't see anything wrong with providing people who are into it with a similar option.

I Heart Internet

The only rules of the Atheist Sunday Assembly are:

- this is an assembly, not a church, please don't use the ch word here
- they are songs, not hymns
- poems and readings, certainly not prayers
- it's a lecture, not a homily
- MC, not priest

Beruthiel

the yellow tinker wrote: »

A couple of links below to the details, would be interested in peoples opinions on the idea of or growth of godless congregations

I fail to see the point?
I don't play golf. I don't feel the need to meet up with other people who also don't play golf.

Banbh

But does the Atheist Sunday Assembly allow its flock to inter-marry with the Sunday Assembly of Atheists?

Banbh

The Congregation of Non-Golfing Atheists is open for membership as well.

Banbh

On a more serious note. One of these atheist congregations should apply for charitable status. That would really throw the cat among the doves.

smacl

Banbh wrote: »

But does the Atheist Sunday Assembly allow its flock to inter-marry with the Sunday Assembly of Atheists?

the Sunday Assembly of Atheists? Those splitters!! Fúck off :P

Benny_Cake

iguana wrote: »

On the other hand some people like that 'hippy crap' but don't believe in a god so may welcome this opportunity to have a secular space in which they can indulge in some philosophical, celebratory sharing. I read the A/A board on Babycentre sometimes and a lot of the posters there attend UU churches as they enjoy the community aspect that can come with belonging to a religion but don't want any of the religious crap that goes with it. It's not my cup of tea but I don't see anything wrong with providing people who are into it with a similar option.

There are Unitarian churches in Dublin and Cork and my understanding is that the majority of members would probably be agnostic, if not atheist. The Sunday Assembly seems to tap into a need that many people have for a sense of community and to celebrate life. I see this as a good thing, and if some people want to use it to paint atheism as a religion, I don't see why that should bother you - they'd be doing it anyway.

Banbh

Why not a Saturday Assembly for non-Jewish atheists?
Why should non-Christian atheists always dominate other non-religions?

SpaceTime

If you want a sense of community do something community focused! There are tons of non religiously oriented groups.

I mean join the Tidy Towns, a sports club, community theatre, community radio, political party and run for the council, docharity work..etc etc etc
Communities are a lot more than churches.

I find this atheist gathering thing is a bit much and should call itself something else. Its resembling organised religion...
Reminds me of vegetarians that eat fake meat..

Benny_Cake

SpaceTime wrote: »

If you want a sense of community do something community focused! There are tons of non religiously oriented groups.

I mean join the Tidy Towns, a sports club, community theatre, community radio, political party and run for the council, docharity work..etc etc etc
Communities are a lot more than churches.

I find this atheist gathering thing is a bit much and should call itself something else. Its resembling organised religion...
Reminds me of vegetarians that eat fake meat..

You can be a vegetarian and eat fake meat, it's called "fake" for a reason you know (disclaimer: I'm a vegetarian who occasionally eats fake meat)!

I don't think that those involved have described themselves as an atheist church, that's largely a media soundbite. Looking at their website, they describe themselves as a "godless congregation". And going along to something like this hardly precludes someone from getting involved in other community based activities during the rest of the week.

smacl

Benny_Cake wrote: »

I don't think that those involved have described themselves as an atheist church, that's largely a media soundbite. Looking at their website, they describe themselves as a "godless congregation". And going along to something like this hardly precludes someone from getting involved in other community based activities during the rest of the week.

The video came across as a bit too happy clappy for my liking. We really need to send in a spy to get a more informed view and report back. I vote Geomy. Seconds?

SpaceTime

I just think it will add more confusion if a 'congregation' uses the word 'athiest'. It's making something that is a neutral descriptive term into a religion.

However, I do think in a post-establishment catholic Ireland, we do need a voice for people who are atheist or non religious as we are not really very well represented or served by the state itself and certainly need a strong lobby group.

I don't really care if people want to have a godless congregation, I just think they need to avoid calling it an athiest church.

GLaDOS

The whole point of being atheist is not having to go to mass. Everything else is secondary.

Anyway, I worship at the Temple of Dalymount Park on Fridays.

smacl

SpaceTime wrote: »

However, I do think in a post-establishment catholic Ireland, we do need a voice for people who are atheist or non religious as we are not really very well represented or served by the state itself and certainly need a strong lobby group.

Not for me thanks. Makes the assumption we have something in common other than not believing in God, and have some kind of common goals. Try Atheist Ireland if you're after something like this. No real difference to the atheist congregation in this thread IMHO, other than having a more clearly stated worldview.

Geomy

smacl wrote: »

The video came across as a bit too happy clappy for my liking. We really need to send in a spy to get a more informed view and report back. I vote Geomy. Seconds?

Sorry smacl im in the middle of the Burren Co Clare :-)
If there's a local gathering near me ill check it out.
Although I like hanging out with the local pagans ;-)

Geomy

SpaceTime wrote: »

I just think it will add more confusion if a 'congregation' uses the word 'athiest'. It's making something that is a neutral descriptive term into a religion.

However, I do think in a post-establishment catholic Ireland, we do need a voice for people who are atheist or non religious as we are not really very well represented or served by the state itself and certainly need a strong lobby group.

I don't really care if people want to have a godless congregation, I just think they need to avoid calling it an athiest church.

Why do ye need a voice and representation ?

Sycopat

I have no interest in this. If someone else does, that's fine for them.

But singing and poetry with people I don't know sounds like a very specific personal hell.

Moreover life has conditioned me to associate "celebrating the wonder of life" with pseudoscience, bolloxology and other things likely to unbalance my temper.

All in all, nothing there for me.

Nervous Wreck

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Part of the reason I dissociate myself from religion is to avoid all this hippy crap.

You are now my Jesus

gaynorvader

Banbh wrote: »

My kids get up at 3am, light the fire and roast a freshly snared rabbit before jogging naked to the sea for swimming training. I am not in the least ruining their young lives to compensate for my own failings and they will love me one day.

SpaceTime

Geomy wrote: »

Why do ye need a voice and representation ?

Partially because we live in a state that does things like offer primary and secondary education through schools, 96% of which are religious.

Things like insisting that TDs, Senators and Councillors pray at meetings.
That kind of minor annoyance that needs to be lobbied against.

While we have a situation where every meeting of our legislature starts with :

Oireachtas Prayer wrote:

Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance; that every word and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

or

Iarraimíd Ort, a Thiarna, d'anáil naofa a chur fúinn chun sinn a stiúradh inár ngníomhartha agus neart do ghrásta a bhronnadh orainn chun iad a thabhairt chun críche, ionas gur uaitse a thosófar ár n-uile bhriathar agus ár n-uile ghníomh feasta, agus gur tríot a chríochnófar iad; trí Chríos

(The above prayer is said at the commencement of each day's business in the Dáil by the Ceann Comhairle, and in the Seanad by the Clerk of the Seanad.)

In a state like this, atheists and non-religious people DEFINITELY need a voice.

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/a-misc/prayer.htm

Geomy

SpaceTime wrote: »

Partially because we live in a state that does things like offer primary and secondary education through schools, 96% of which are religious.

Things like insisting that TDs, Senators and Councillors pray at meetings.
That kind of minor annoyance that needs to be lobbied against.

While we have a situation where every meeting of our legislature starts with :



(The above prayer is said at the commencement of each day's business in the Dáil by the Ceann Comhairle, and in the Seanad by the Clerk of the Seanad.)

In a state like this, atheists and non-religious people DEFINITELY need a voice.

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/a-misc/prayer.htm

What about the people who are non non religious.

Sure maybe some positive affirmations might suit the non religious, it's hard to keep the moaners happy on both sides of the fence.

Hotblack Desiato

How about they just get on with their f**king job?