First one here? | 5 Comments

Rorschach on 20 Jun 2008

Three atheists in NH!

I love the idea of an atheist/bright/skeptic/humanist group in NH. I wish I could openly support such a group, but I'm currently a member of a highly controlling religious group. If I were open about my lack of belief, I'd be shunned. Maybe someday I'll find my way out. Part of the difficulty is that there is no secular alternative to fill the social role that religious groups provide. I would, however, like to meet like-minded people.

I'm not crazy about the label "bright". "Naturalist" is a pretty good term. Seems almost impossible to sum up one's thoughts and attitudes in a single word or phrase, if you don't subscribe to an authoritarian belief system.

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bluebright on 1 Jul 2008

Hey everyone,

NH atheist #4 has entered the room. I am very excited to see three insightful responses from NH atheists, since, I too thought I was the only one. I actually just moved here from Maine but just started looking into possibly joining an atheist organization if one existed. The Brights appeals to me because the message is simple and I think organizing people with a naturalist world view is important, especially in the US since religion is attempting to have(one could argue as had)a prominent and powerful role in secular life.

Just a brief bit about myself then. I was raised Catholic, went to catechism, etc but my parents never really talked about religion at home. My parents actually see religion has something very personal but felt it was their duty to ship my bro and I off to Sunday school every week. In high school my best friend and I were Bible thumpers. I still considered myself Catholic and went to Church often up until about Sophomore year of College. I attended a Catholic College and ironically that's where I began to doubt my faith. Philosophy is what did it for me intellectually, especially the work of David Hume. It was about a years process of thinking and deciding that religion does not have the answers, and only science and philosophy can really tell us anything about the world.

Anyway, that when on a bit long but once again it is nice to find people in NH that are interested in the Brights movement. Hopefully, we can start something here! Hope to hear from more people!

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Pedro on 20 Aug 2008

Rorschach,

Great to find your message, and bluebright's, too. I hadn't checked the site for quite a while after posting a response to Erin's original message and seeing no responses for over a month, but now the rainy summer has brought forth 2 new NH atheists. Nice to hear from you both.

Rorschach, I can sympathize with your need to keep your questioning from your group. A dear friend who was a jehovah's witness was shunned after she questioned some of their beliefs and was unwilling to repent and stop asking questions. Brutal bunch, when you don't accept the party line. I haven't decided yet whether I think they are fearful or just plain mean. Maybe both.

bluebright, you are so right about religion trying to play a dominant role in American society. That's why I love the idea of a naturalists' group, and wish we could become more visible. Sure, there are only 4 of us who have identified ourselves in this forum, but I am sure there are thousands of NH citizens, of good moral character, who share the naturalistic worldview of brights. Wouldn't it be a fine thing if we could make our presence felt, especially if we could do so by doing good works, not in the name of a god, but in the name of humanity and common kindness. That's what I would like to see an atheists' group do.

I'd also like to be able to communicate with like minded folks, so I will check this site more often now that we are four!

Erin, you still out there?

Anyone interested in trying to plan a lunch or dinner gathering sometime? That might be fun.

Peace and love to you all...

- Pedro

 

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