Recently an article appeared on web news about the growth of “atheist-mega” churches in England and the United States. Apparently, people of like minds are seeking to meet with brethren who are attracted to religious music and pageantry but lack a belief in a divine being. http://news.msn.com/us/atheist-mega-churches-take-root-across-us-world
Another rationale for the movement’s growing popularity might be a desire to be understood by the public at-large. One misconception is that atheists are without morals or a set of guiding principles. (See blog 2/6/12) But people who hold such views would be wrong. Science has shown that most of us are spiritual and long for a purpose larger than ourselves. Located largely in the right side of our brains, it’s sometimes referred to as the god zone. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/god-spot-in-brain-is-not-_n_1440518.html)
Some believe that this longing developed from our primitive wonderment at the universe, a setting so beautiful that we assumed a sentient being created it. Others, like Roland Dworkin in his book, Religion without God, see spirituality as the result of evolution, the mind sensing an external order that is reflected in ourselves. (“Beyond Naturalism,” by Moshe Halbertal, New Republic, Oct. 2013, pgs.61-63)
I leave the discussion on either count to others. I only know that despite our innate bestialities, our wars, our cruelties to the helpless or people unlike ourselves, the species continues to strive for a moral conscience. Whether it is God-given or manmade, the miracle inside each of us is a heart that longs to do better.
That said, I cringe to hear atheists described as having a religion. People do not band together to celebrate what is not. They band together to celebrate what is — a universal hunger for peace and compassion.
(Courtesy of yahoo.com)
