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Okay, So You’re an Atheist. Now What?
In my experience, many of those who arrive at atheism from another set of religious beliefs go through a “refractory period” during which their impulse is to celebrate their new perspective and, often, to do a bit of gloating about how much more reasonable they feel they have become than those credulous in supernatural phenomena like gods, effective prayer, and so forth. Some find that stance satisfying, and stop there. In a national study of atheists in the U.S., the University of Tennessee identified 6 sub-groups, one of which, the “Anti-Theists”, comprising about 14% of the total, continually focuses primarily on disagreements with theists and actively advocates that others should follow their lead into…
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The Pagan World is Different (Adult)
This post is really meant most for those who have come to check out Atheopaganism from the atheist/skeptic community. Thus far, the material on this blog has all been “family-friendly” from the standpoint of mainstream Western society. Even my post on the 10th Principle was more cautionary than encouraging, though at its core is encouragement that people take pleasure in the sensory experiences they encounter in life. This reflects a goal on my part: I want Atheopaganism to be an inviting path for those coming from the skeptic/atheist community as much as it can be for those coming from the Pagan community. While much of the Pagan community is cheerfully open…
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Ritual for Atheists: a Note of Encouragement
This post is directed to our friends in the atheist/skeptic community. Thanks for checking out Atheopaganism! I’m glad to have you here. And I want you to know that I know: it feels a bit silly to start with. When you first start doing Atheopagan rituals as an atheist who has never had a religious practice, it feels contrived and hokey and uncomfortable. It can also feel good, but the discomfort often undermines the sense of rightness or meaning rituals can bring. I know, because I went through it. It’s been nearly 30 years now, but I remember only too well how uncomfortable I was when first confronted with standing in a circle holding hands, talking in…
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I Couldn’t Say It Better
John Halstead has a great post over at The Allergic Pagan on Patheos that I think any Atheopagan will find worth a read, thoughtfully challenging the pitfalls of thinking that can arise when those with a naturalist/humanist approach to Paganism consider their sisters and brothers who believe in gods…and vice versa. In the wake of this year’s Pantheacon—and there is so much to say about my experiences there that I will probably have several posts about it—I encourage you to take a look. Even as Atheopaganism and other paths of Paganism with a naturalistic approach to cosmology grow, become more visible and take their places in the constellation of Pagan…
