I have got to remember to take a camera with me when I walk out the door. While walking through the park yesterday on a warm afternoon, saw an elderly fella sitting on a bench with his shirt off while his Filipina helper was massaging his calves and feet. I have got to get me one of those.
Have been thinking lately that the planet needs a church for Atheists. Am becoming increasingly jealous listening to people whose social lives surround their faith. There are some folks around here that seem pleasant and may be nice people to know, but they kind of click off and hear them getting together after church, or they are meeting at Bible study and such. Felt the same way with the parents when Carolyn went to Catholic school. I just cannot pretend to feign interest in the least, but would love to have the support group they share.
So this morning, I woke up a few minutes before the alarm to go to the bathroom...was too long to hold it, but not long enough to go back to sleep, so was lying there in a semi-lucid dreamlike state and this Atheist church thing became totally clear. I am not saying that it appeared to me as a vision from above, but I'll bet that Joseph Smith's revelations came to him due to the need for an early morning tinkle. Unfortunately, it was clear in the hazy mind and not so much after coffee, but will try to get down some of the bigger points in hopes of building on them later.
First, it can't be called a church, or mosque, temple, dojo, etc., as they are religious specific. Haven't come up with a name for it so will use Starbucks as a placeholder. Second, we will meet on Wednesday evenings. Really, if God had wanted us to congregate on Sunday mornings, would He have created the NFL? And Saturday's are out for college (and other) sports. Friday nights should be reserved for date night, and Monday is out as everyone is cranky having to go back to work/school. So that leaves Tuesday through Thursday, and since Wednesday is the mid point of the week, seems like the most universally festive of those three.
Another important need that we will have is a unifying book to help guide us on our journey (will work on the title later). I know that Atheists are all over the map as it is, but all religions have their factions and schisms and they are all reading from the same playbook, so we should have something to help keep us together. I would not advocate starting from scratch, but to take the best and most sensible parts from all of histories texts. The 10 Commandments seems like a decent place to start and we could drop them in verbatim. If I was the judge, I'd probably drop the craven image one as I'm not quite sure what that ever meant. Also, the coveting of thy neighbor's stuff never seemed like it belonged in total. I really dig the Porsche that parks in the spot next to ours, would love to have it, but I don't really think that's a sin. Thinking his wife has a nice behind might be borderline, but I'm just admiring her work out ethic. In their place, I might elaborate on the one about honoring thy father and mother with the flip side...mothers and fathers should take responsibility for their kids, and abandoning them or allowing them to become creeps and burdens on society should be worth consideration as a sin.
Adding to our book will be things that should guide us in our everyday life, ideas that we should all be able to agree upon, and should range from important philosophical arcs to day to day habits. One of my favorites has always been that "there are two types of people, those that are humble, and those that are about to be." One that popped into my mind this morning (not sure if I heard it somewhere or came as part of my vision), "it's mostly, but not all, about you." I'm sure we all have sayings that we fall back on to help us cope with whatever we encounter and will bet that they are valid for just about all. I like a lot of what the Constitution has to offer, freedom of speech, religion, etc., but as with a lot of these older documents, the world changes and what sounded good then might not work so well today. Not a day goes by without someone doing something really bad with a gun and don't think we have a "right" to bear arms anymore. I think owning a firearm should be a privilege that should be earned. Can I get an Amen? The Constitution was also nice in saying all men were created equal, but didn't go far enough to include women, and slavery was di rigeur in the day, so let's assume that we are all invited equally to this Atheist Starbucks.
While that side of the Book takes on the macro, the flip side should take on the micro and be along the lines of Emily Post. She is a bit high brow for me a lot of times, but manners and courtesy are the bedrocks of any society and should never be viewed as perk for being well off. If we all had them and considered a breach of them unacceptable, wouldn't we be better off? Shouldn't all drivers where two lanes are merging into one use the zipper technique instead of riding up the car in front of them's ass to get one car length ahead? Should people waiting for an elevator allow people already on the elevator to get off before they push in...they aren't moving until they do anyway? Isn't it nice when the guy or gal in front of you holds the door instead of letting it fly back in your face, and doesn't if feel good when you are the one holding the door? Don't we all agree on this stuff? Is it worse to push on the bus and grab a seat ahead of the pregnant lady or elderly couple, or covet your neighbors 400hp V-8 ox or donkey?
So what are we going to do on these Wednesday nights? Am thinking that a speaker will give a 30 minute-ish talk about a topic that will help our minds grow. I like astronomy and history personally, but there is no end to topics that I would like to know more. Perhaps we could take two sides of the coin and have a open and non-hostile debate about an issue (no name calling and with approved rules of debate agreed upon in advance). We could have a little Q&A then have some refreshments and snacks.
Speaking of name calling, anyone that thinks holding a sign depicting Obama (or W before him) as Hitler needs to drop that shit at the door.
7% of Americans call themselves Atheists, but if you could get people to really talk to you without outside pressure from their family/spouse/etc, I bet the real number is closer to 50% in practice and suspect it is even higher. Our society should never exclude people who are religious and they should not only be welcomed, but encouraged to join as they have so much to add to the group.
OK...I've probably said too much and this will strike many as being totally insane. Maybe this is already out there and I am coming late to the party. Whatever...
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