Secularists already have two dedicated meeting places, which makes more sense than a so-called place of worship: Secular Hall in Leicester (home to Leicester Secular Society) and Conway Hall in Holborn, London; both are large buildings with many rooms of various sizes suitable for meetings and lectures. Secular Hall is particularly interesting; built in 1881 its façade features busts of Socrates, Jesus, Voltaire, Thomas Paine and Robert Owen.

Nora_Leonard wrote: its façade features busts of Socrates, Jesus, Voltaire, Thomas Paine and Robert Owen.

Wait! I thought they were all men?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/ ... sfeed=true

The Guardian's article is better.

Atheism doesn't need anything.
You cannot have a concentration of lack of theism.
This is not constructive, so why construct it?

Monument to one individuals psychotic need for inclusiveness.

DoctorE wrote:Ok... uuhh; HELLO WTF

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 heart 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.

Though de Botton has yet to announce a final date for opening the temple, he hopes to create a network of such buildings across the U.K., according to ArtsInfo.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/2 ... f=religion

Worship what? Seriously, this guy's several sandwiches short of a picnic.

He could be a theist infitrator. A member of WLC's elite undercover operatives.

twistor59 wrote:He could be a theist infitrator. A member of WLC's elite undercover operatives.

Or sent from the pope. A fifth column.

46m tall black column? Where have I seen that before?



Bom bom, bom bom, bom bom

Hasn't the guy heard of Bingo, ffs?

If I need contemplation, silence, perspective and so on, I'll go either to a library (where I can do some reading while I'm there), or out in nature, away from people, and just take in the scenery.

By all means, let him build an "atheist temple"; he doesn't represent me or any other atheist for obvious reasons, but I must say it does irritate me a bit that there are people out there who just don't seem to get it.

We already have an atheist temple. It's called the universe.

hackenslash wrote:We already have an atheist temple. It's called the universe.

Is that the pub on Romford High street?

This is where I should think of a famous atheist with the surname 'Temple' and drop a pun...

Bribase wrote:

Does anyone know of any others?

Leicester has the original Secular Hall.

I have a serious query to extend toward my fellow non-believers who, in the main, seem to think that an Atheist Temple is definitively antithetical or oxymoronic...or just moronic.

It is at the very least instructive to project into the future and ask ourselves what we might expect to find were we to venture very far in that direction. I mean, we generally think that humanity is better off without faith-based beliefs to prevent our sculpting a sustainable and productive future for our descendants, right? And we also think that servile worship is de-humanising at best, right?

But do we not often find ourselves conceding the backwardness of our evolved nature? Is it merely insulting to suggest that "most people, giving enough time, will return to some kind of devotional ritual based on less-than-rational urges"? Now, you may not concede this at all. But if it does compel us to agree somewhat, then should we not get humanist and secular point of view "out in front" of this inevitability?

We generally recognize the importance of inspiration in education, science, and most areas of life, including the ethical and geo-political spheres. I think it might be wise to use social pressure to shift the center of gravity of religiosity toward a less dogmatic and magical substrate of thought, while simultaneously introducing into our culture a focal point of inspiration and the spreading of secular humanist values.

Please realize...I am not declaring that "we need something to replace whatever religion is giving us". I am merely asking,"what if it turns out that we do?"

Humbly submitted, with atomic goggles in place.

hackenslash wrote:We already have an atheist temple. It's called the universe.

Jesus Christ, that's deep

pelfdaddy wrote:We generally recognize the importance of inspiration in education, science, and most areas of life, including the ethical and geo-political spheres. I think it might be wise to use social pressure to shift the center of gravity of religiosity toward a less dogmatic and magical substrate of thought, while simultaneously introducing into our culture a focal point of inspiration and the spreading of secular humanist values.

Indeed. Although I really think it is a mistake to refer to it as an atheist 'place of worship'. It could be called a 'hall of inspiration' or some such thing. And for it to serve, perhaps, as a community focus the way temples and churches serve now, as they aren't just places of worship. They're also placed of education, fellowship and community outreach.

How many of us have found a sense of community on this forum, which has included arranging RL meetings? Surely if there was a centre where people could meet regularly a similar sense of community in the outside world might grow up? It could be a place that served, amongst other things, as the headquarters of humanist prison and hospital 'chaplains'.

pelfdaddy wrote:I have a serious query to extend toward my fellow non-believers who, in the main, seem to think that an Atheist Temple is definitively antithetical or oxymoronic...or just moronic.

It is at the very least instructive to project into the future and ask ourselves what we might expect to find were we to venture very far in that direction. I mean, we generally think that humanity is better off without faith-based beliefs to prevent our sculpting a sustainable and productive future for our descendants, right? And we also think that servile worship is de-humanising at best, right?

But do we not often find ourselves conceding the backwardness of our evolved nature? Is it merely insulting to suggest that "most people, giving enough time, will return to some kind of devotional ritual based on less-than-rational urges"? Now, you may not concede this at all. But if it does compel us to agree somewhat, then should we not get humanist and secular point of view "out in front" of this inevitability?

We generally recognize the importance of inspiration in education, science, and most areas of life, including the ethical and geo-political spheres. I think it might be wise to use social pressure to shift the center of gravity of religiosity toward a less dogmatic and magical substrate of thought, while simultaneously introducing into our culture a focal point of inspiration and the spreading of secular humanist values.

Please realize...I am not declaring that "we need something to replace whatever religion is giving us". I am merely asking,"what if it turns out that we do?"

Humbly submitted, with atomic goggles in place.

I think I can resolve all of this by the simple recognition that atheists are human, humans are gregarious, and therefore they like to be with other people. A sense of community is important for all people, regardless of which culture they are born into, or whatever their religious affiliations. Therefore, bingo. Ok, ok... maybe not bingo, but it's not much worse than an atheist temple ffs!

I just don't see the point of having an 'atheist' anything in this vein.

If people want a place to meet up, find - or build - a place to meet up, for various uses. If they want a place to think, in silence or while listening to music or discussing their thoughts with others; find or build such a place. Chances are there are lots of such places already out there, some already mentioned.

What does it have to do with 'atheism'?

I thought the Natural History Museum was the Atheist Temple - it is designed like a cathedral, the Altar piece actually has Darwin on it with a Diplodocus in front!

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/galleries ... index.html