I think at least part of the reason many people attend church is because they’re AFRAID of death and dying. It’s for that same reason they believe in God.

Well, there are meetups, social groups and such for secular/nonbelivers for networking, activities, political action, and support.
I get notices from FFRF and others bi-weekly.
Never noticed a line of believers banging on the door.

People need and look for community / belonging / refuge, and that means a tribal, "us vs them" side effect. This is not a problem with religions specifically, but with human nature.

Atheists already do offer these things, though not at scale. There is a "Sunday Assembly" movement that started 3 or 4 years ago in the UK and spread to the US. The problem as I see it is that atheism isn't enough of a basis for community. It's like herding cats. Something broader like secularism or secular humanism or rationalism or skepticism or something like that might work better. Considered atheism is, after all, a side effect of skeptical / critical thinking -- of not affording belief to the unsubstantiated.

I would think the majority of people are looking for friends. We are a social specie. I would be surprised if any group wasn't. No anything atheists have to offer, Christians aren't interested in. I mean they think we eat babies! :>Г I live in the bible belt, I keep my shit on the down low. I like being self employed.

I would think the majority of people are looking for friends. We are a social specie. I would be surprised if any group wasn't. No anything atheists have to offer, Christians aren't interested in. I mean they think we eat babies! :>Г I live in the bible belt, I keep my shit on the down low. I like being self employed.

In a perfect world there would be a gathering place for like minded individuals that had nothing to do with religion. I’d be happy to be able to go to a place where religious (and political) speech was forbidden and chill. Unfortunately, my current latitude has no such options and people who would participate in this would be outcast in a way that would stop just short of lynching.

I have a Chinese friend living in the USA. When he arrived here he was lonely and turned to Christianity for company and is agnostic now. My Indian Hindu friends turn more religious after coming here and form a close community. There is a Christian organization that preys on international students who have just arrived. Just adding these to the discussion! I agree that there are a lot of people who choose religion just because it is the easiest way to get some company.

Majority no but I am sure some people do. Lonely people may go to church, ones who were not very religious to begin, on the fence. Now they attend church functions and feel welcomed. All new friends are religious and they are prone to start believing.

IMO, I don't think Atheists want to gather in designated places because now it begins to look similar to church. Would think trying to get a few people together here are there would work better. Have this site to try and do that. Can be for friendship, not just dating.

Not just the lonely. Fellowship, community, shared activities. Most church stuff has nothing to do with the belief crap.

It is a form of tribalism, being part of a support group. It is no different than AA.

Isn't that the Universalist Unitarian?

I think you are wrong. Most people go th church because they believe in the religion and because they are concerned about their "salvation." As a child and teenager with religious parents, that is what I observed.

So that's what groups are about. Have long noticed the community aspect of those places and wondered how an atheist one would go.

I know what you mean, and it seems logical, but while it would be a help for atheists, I don't think it would change any Christian's minds. That's what they grew up with, that's what they know, and I think they'd be afraid of associating with atheists.

I hear this quite often from other atheist. They miss the community of church.
Here we have a few group's thank goodness.
You could always start a group. Just meet at a local restaurant once a week. You may be surprised how fast it grows.

I think this is true.

And it's a golden opportunity for humanists, atheists and all non theists to come together in places of non worship.