Posted by Marty on: 05.18.2006 /
I have previously posted some of the things that I am involved with in Santa Barbara - and I have been asked to provide more detail relative to those programs/people. I have been somewhat reluctant to respond because in some ways I have not gotten very far - but I think/hope that I have planted a number of seeds - and it will delight me if even one grows strong and winds up making a difference in my community - let alone the world.
In case you choose not to read the below - the questions are:
What is happening at your local level?
What ideas do you have of ways that you and/or others could create respectful dialogue among local Atheists/Christians?
Three months ago my perception of Atheists, if I thought about them at all, was either from Madeline Murray or total ignorance - with a significant touch of prejudice that Atheists were probably not very moral, were out to stomp out Christianity and obviously weren’t as wise/smart as those of us that called ourselves Christian. I had never knowingly met an Atheist - let alone had a dialogue with them.
Since then, I have gotten consumed with this blog, openned my mind and my heart, tuned into a group of very incredible Atheists on this blog, attended the Humanist Society and now have some Atheist friends (one of which goes into nursing homes to entertain - and I plan to join him) who I can openly share my journey.
My way of planting seeds has been to share what I have learned (including this blog address) in the past three months - which has gotten others thinking (some probably thinking less highly of me :-))
Groups that I have shared with include: My Presbyterian Church Missions and Peace Committee (of which I am a member) where the minister responded by saying that he has a number of Atheist relatives - and seemed to be open to a respectful dialogue with a Friendly Atheist, members of the Interfaith Initiative Board (which I think needs to stay focused on their Interfaith mission - and least for the moment), a toastmasters meeting (where I was on a panel), a group of individuals involved with a new High School Mentoring program that I am a part of (and has primarily Unitarians and meets in the Unitarian church - but is led by a school counselor and Principal) and a group Santa Barbara Interfaith Voters Initiative which focuses on political ways to counterbalance the influence of the religious right and put another face on Christianity - which so many of us Christians on this board - starting with Jim - would so much like to see happen. I have also shared with a number or family and friends - usually in response to “what have you been up to?”
My sense is that none of these venues is the right place to build an Atheist/Christian dialogue - but what I am hoping to do is help open people’s minds - and within those groups I am looking for individuals who also have a passion for breaking down barriers and bringing understanding.
Comment by: Hifi
1Thought this article would be extremely relevant for owners and visitors to this site.
Church of England Report: Youth No Longer Need Supernatural Props
“The authors began their work believing that young people with no connection with Christianity would be yearning for some kind of spiritual “fulfillment.” The truth was they aren’t, and nor are they disenchanted or “lost in a meaningless world.” Instead the young people found the world meaningful as it was they didn’t need the supernatural props.”
http://humaniststudies.org/enews/?id=242&article=3
Comment by: Karen
2Marty! You’ve come a long way, baby… :-)
Seriously, I never would have guessed that you started from such a closed, “cliche” place, given the openness and fairness I’ve seen in your posts. I would say you are a poster boy for the OTM mission.
Comment by: Julie Marie
3there are some interfaith groups in town, and from what I read, an active secular humanist group. but they take the summers off. Their May 5th potluck “follows the custom established years ago by Herb Silverman: Atheists will bring only food whose ingredients they can see, agnostics are not sure what they will bring or whether there really is food, skeptics will argue whether we really should have a potluck supper at all, pagans will bring wine, anarchists may bring whatever they damn well please, and humanists optimistically believe they will help to complement the meal and make it a wonderful experience for all.”
that made me smile.
Comment by: Lisa W.
4Fascinating article, HIFI. thank you!
Comment by: Ir
5Marty, like Karen said, it’s impressive to see how much you’ve changed your views about atheists in just a few months.
My current position is that I’m willing to work with people who are willing to me, regardless of their beliefs, nonbeliefs or lack of beliefs.
I’m a bit reticent to join anything new at the moment, especially if it has a huge emphasis on ‘interfaith’ - I see that as a type of ‘reverse beliefism’. I just want to get on with my life and live a normal life. Mostly. Apart from being on the Internet ;).
Comment by: Eliza
6Wow, Marty!! Way to spread the word!!
I went to a retreat at/from work last week & for part of it we broke into groups of 8-10 and shared something about ourselves we thought the others didn’t know - I told them about this site & how captivated I’ve been by the discussions here, & how it has helped me feel more comfortable talking w/ patients and others about religious beliefs, which before I wouldn’t have touched w/ a ten foot pole. They all thought the idea was interesting, and we spun off on a few people’s own stories before moving on to the next person. I gave the web address for this site to one co-worker who was interested.
I haven’t done more than that, out in the open. I’m toying with the idea of going to the local UU service, happen to know that one of my coworkers goes there & we’ve talked about what it’s like & why she (a former fundy) chose it. But I’m also not looking for the spiritual aspect, maybe just the community & seeing what it’s like. I can’t see making it a weekly habit, not after 43 years of having Sundays free! ;)
Comment by: Julie Marie
7HiFi,
My old church teaches the god sized hole thing too.
Interesting article.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
8Eliza - this is what Jim Henderson calls making the world a better place.
Per Sundays -I know that most Cs enjoy attending church every week but after 25 years of non stop church attendance I stopped attending church weekly myself about 5 years ago although I spend lots of time “in church” since I count this blog as “going to church” I have no plans to pick up the Sunday habit again.
I have had an idea boucning around in my head for the past few years about “doing church” just once a month (OAMC- once a month church). I think that would be about the right frequency for me (and I suspect many busy and emotionally overloaded people) but most of my C friends do not agree with me and are quite happy with the weekly event. We all love each other and laugh about my weirdness.