| This is the graphic that accompanied the Huffington Post article. Because apparently an "Atheist temple" must look like a giant dildo. Which is the ONLY part of the article I agree with. |
Atheists have long criticised devout followers of faith. But now it seems Atheism is stealing from that very religious tradition by erecting a temple of worship.
Author Alain de Botton announced plans to build an Atheist temple in the U.K., reports DeZeen magazine.
A collaboration with Tom Greenall Architects, the structure will be built in the City of London.
Dedicated to the idea of perspective, the black tower will scale 46 meters (150 ft), with each centimeter honoring earth's age of 4.6 billion years, notes Wired.
But a place of worship isn't the only attribute from organized religion that Atheists can benefit from, says de Botton. In his newly released book "Religion For Atheists," the author points to design, art and community to inspire and attract a following.
Realizing I could not possibly deal with this information while completely sober, I poured myself a glass of wine and read it again. Nope, brain still hurts.
Did this guy actually write a book called "Religion for Atheists?" WTF?
I suddenly realized that I needed to find a reliable atheist, whose opinion I respect, to weigh in on this subject.
Enter Richard Dawkins.
"Atheists don't need temples," said Dawkins. "There are better things to spend this kind of money on.
You could improve secular education and build non-religious schools which teach rational, sceptical critical thinking."
Thank you Richard, my head feels so much better now.
The whole idea about being an Atheist is NOT that we simply do not like to worship in the way that Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, etc., worship. It is that we find no fears which need to be soothed, concerns that need to be quieted, nor emptiness inside of ourselves which needs to be filled, through worship.
Personally I do not feel left out because I do not have any place I can go to for fellowship and solace on Sunday mornings, I feel liberated.
If I am looking for a place where I can find peace and feel at one with the universe, I simply step outside and allow the universe to find me. After all I DO live in Alaska.
I don't think that most atheists want to have a place to remind the world that they exist, nor to force their opinions on others. They just don't want other people's faith to dictate how they live their lives, educate their children, or choose their political representatives.
And if you still don't understand the difference between atheism and religion, perhaps this image will help to explain it better.
