An Atheist clergy.
OK, such cannot exist.
We have had a few posts about wedding ceremonies for non believers. There are civil celebrants who will perform ceremonies for both believers and non believers. But what about people who concentrate on providing ceremonies specifically for non believers?
A more important issue was triggered for me today. I was at work and this lady walked towards me, sun was in my eyes, she waived, I waived back and kept talking to people I was with. She sat down under a tree and when I looked up she smiled and waved again. Then I recognized her. A friend of the last 46 years who I see for a few weeks a year when she and her husband holiday in the area.I asked and she replied she was not great. Then burst out crying. Her father had just died a horrible death from cancer. Her mum died about 7 years ago.
I knew her parents well. She is slightly religious but is inconsolable. Last night her husband loaded up there van and brought her down. Her dad has been gone 7 weeks, we have never bothered with phones or emails so she had no way to contact. She knows I am an atheist and is looking for answers, some way to accept her loss. She is not religious enough to get comfort from that. We chatted and I was no help at all except just talking, more letting her talk and cry. I think there is a role for trained atheists to be available to comfort people at these times, when a relative is ill in hospital, when someone has died, or even when life really just sux. Churches provide this service, whether you want it or not, but they are not at all comforting to an atheist, talking about being in a better place, God's will and all that crap. But what about someone who is not a believer, but can explain comfortingly from an atheist view point? Just my thoughts thus far.
While looking into it I found this,
I thought it was interesting.
[clergyproject.org]
3
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11 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.This group is trying to make a difference.[firstchurchofatheism.org] There is a need for athiest pastors. Now whle that does sound crazy, clergy are given special privaleges that others do not have, such as access to military baes and prisons, and the ability to preside over funerals and weddings. There are athiest in foxholes in the military and it is important to have athiest clergy in the military for those who do not want religion but do want support.
DavidLaDeau
Level 8
Apr 8, 2018
1
thank you, this sounds like what I was looking for.
I don't think it matters that you are an atheist. If you listen to a bereaved person and show that you are there for them and will do what you can to help with any practical things, that is what is needed, far more than unrealistic and untrue religious consolation. If you know bereaved people well, you can talk about good times in the past and happy memories they may have that they will be able to keep for the future. Religion is not necessary.
CeliaVL
Level 7
Apr 5, 2018
1
I know what you mean, but when I get hit with these situations, I am always unprepared, people are seeking comfort desperately and urgently, and as careful as I am, my responses are awkward. If I had time to prepare or knew what to say it would be so much easier. OK, I am being flippant, but the atheist equivalent of, "There, there, it's God will, he moves in mysterious ways".
My line is usually along the lines of, there is nothing wrong with death, it is certain for everything that lives, it was always going to happen, if someone has lived a long happy life loved by others that is the best we can wish for them, and while we still remember them, part of them remains in our minds
Not sure if this counts... [theguardian.com]
TXLarry
Level 5
Apr 4, 2018
1
not quite what I was looking for, but I love it.
No longer the UK PM`s job to pick bishops but this is really funny and explains things about the CofE very well
273kelvin
Level 8
Apr 4, 2018
1
Contrary to popular belief, religion and superstition are not synonymous. The real point of religion is comfort, and science can do a better job of that than superstition. My guess is that if our species survives long enough, reality based religions will become the norm.
skado
Level 9
Apr 4, 2018
1
Apart from the law based on religion and religion why do you need to get married at all? animals do just fine without and that's a shit load of animals.
LeighShelton
Level 8
Apr 4, 2018
0
Many animals do mate for life and their elaborate courtship rituals mights be described as marriage of sorts.
no that's called being true to each other like albatross do. nothing to do with a paid for ceremony. humans break their wedding vows regularly anyway, unlike some animals. animals dance to reinforce there paring and don't need anything else especially a money/religious based human to tell them to stay together.
Wow! Interesting concept, I guess my thought was if one decided it wasn’t real they would just quit. I suppose all the Televangelist's wouldn’t because they are too busy robbing the weak, needy, and gullible of their money, I always thought them to be nonbelievers just snake oil peddlers. On the other hand I’ve read things by one, John Pavlovic.... something like that, and whereas I don’t hold the belief, I do like him and what he has to say.
Tony80223
Level 7
Apr 4, 2018
4
Great idea. I had all kinds of religious people try to talk to me in hospitals. Left prayer shawls and words I paid no attention to.
sassygirl3869
Level 9
Apr 4, 2018
3
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