# Atheists/Agnostics: Would you join an Atheist Social Club? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535 "2006-09-28T21:29:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/21 "2006-09-28T23:45:26Z")
No. I’m not really interested in talking about my lack of belief in God with other atheists. It just seems like a boring conversation: atheist #1: “You know who doesn’t exist?” atheist #2: “Who?” atheist #1: “God.” atheist #2: “Right on!” _high five_ It seems like my other interests are more likely to put me in touch with people I’d be interested in hanging out with than atheism. Evil, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/22 "2006-09-29T00:02:31Z")
No. A non-belief or doubt in God is not enough a bond. Worse, I might run into people who are way too strong in their disbelief. Zealots annoy me,whether they be religious zealots or anti-religous zealots. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/23 "2006-09-29T01:17:43Z")
No, for pretty much the same reasons stated by others. Lack of an interest in something doesn’t sound like much of a reason to get together, and then there are the ones who’d be wild-eyed fundies no matter what belief system they got into. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/24 "2006-09-29T01:59:10Z")
No. I like to be left alone, and there just isn’t enough to atheism to build a friendship on, as others have pointed out. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/25 "2006-09-29T04:43:18Z")
[QUOTE=betenoir] :eek: ☹ Can I join? Please??? Please, please, please??? I’m willing to become C of E (who eveyrone knows doesn’t invlove believing in God) if that would help. [/QUOTE] I’ve heard their Inquisitions are fun. You get cake. ---
**Author:** ![FelixKat930](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@FelixKat930](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FelixKat930)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/26 "2006-09-29T04:56:51Z")
On a related topic, I was reading about a summer camp for atheist kids. Thought that was kinda cool! Even fairly secular summer camps (like YMCA camps) have some religious aspects to them. I loved my old summer camp, but on Sundays we did have to go through chapel. ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/27 "2006-09-29T09:36:30Z")
We’ll it looks like I don’t have to start anything. I googled ‘atheist social group’ but I didnt find much, so I didn’t think such an animal existed. First time I’m really hearing about Humanists. Love everyone’s reaction to getting up on Sunday mornings. It really is nice to get to Starbucks at 8:30 on a Sunday morning and finding it relatively empty. I read that article that said Christians distrust Atheists more than followers of other religions, and it’s been bugging me. I guess we have a PR problem. A lot of Christians seem to think in terms of, “If there was no God, what would stop me from being a monster?” While I have come to the conclusion that if there is no God, I should be doing more for my fellow man. They definitely beat us in the networking department. If you’re the only plumber in a congregation, you’ve got an instant client base. If you are looking for a new job, people at your church will call in favors to get your foot in the door. Maybe refugees in Africa should be getting supplies from Atheist organizations, because there is no God to help those who help themselves. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/28 "2006-09-29T10:05:14Z")
Nope, the whole premise just sounds stupid and lame to me. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/29 "2006-09-29T10:59:07Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] I’ve heard their Inquisitions are fun. You get cake. [/QUOTE] And…the comfy chair!!! Accually I don’t think the C of E had an Inquisition. Just burnt a few (hundred) people. But I don’t think they do that much anymore. Wouldn’t mind the cake though. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/30 "2006-09-29T11:13:47Z")
[QUOTE=archmichael] Love everyone’s reaction to getting up on Sunday mornings. [/QUOTE] If I were interested in proseltizing (which I’m not) that would be a good slogan…"Atheistism! Sleep in on Sunday mornings! > [@](#): > > I read that article that said Christians distrust Atheists more than followers of other religions, and it’s been bugging me. I guess we have a PR problem. A lot of Christians seem to think in terms of, “If there was no God, what would stop me from being a monster?” While I have come to the conclusion that if there is no God, I should be doing more for my fellow man. Whereas I’m terrified of people who only want to be good and kind because of fear. I just do it for the hell…I mean I just do it. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/31 "2006-09-29T14:40:41Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] I’ve heard their Inquisitions are fun. You get cake. [/QUOTE] Yes, but you get either cake… or DEATH! Why take the chance? I agree that by itself, it seems like a mild reason for a group, but if someone took the time to line up interesting speakers I might look into it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/32 "2006-09-29T14:47:33Z")
As others have pointed out - why? What are we going to talk about? To me, saying “I don’t believe in a god” takes 2 seconds and then I don’t really want to talk about it anymore. I certainly don’t want to sit there and debate about it! My existence doesn’t revolve around the non-existence of god, I rarely think about a god in any form. I mean, I’m reading the Mahabharat, which is inherently a religious book, and I still don’t think of god while I’m reading it. I think about the political machinations in the book - it’s fascinating reading. But I never think about the fact that god is supposed to be behind it all, until someone reminds me - like here. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/33 "2006-09-29T15:27:39Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] As others have pointed out - why? What are we going to talk about? To me, saying “I don’t believe in a god” takes 2 seconds and then I don’t really want to talk about it anymore. I certainly don’t want to sit there and debate about it! My existence doesn’t revolve around the non-existence of god, I rarely think about a god in any form. I mean, I’m reading the Mahabharat, which is inherently a religious book, and I still don’t think of god while I’m reading it. I think about the political machinations in the book - it’s fascinating reading. But I never think about the fact that god is supposed to be behind it all, until someone reminds me - like here. [/QUOTE] Well, we could always go door to door and try to convert Christians in to Atheist. ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/34 "2006-09-29T15:44:39Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] As others have pointed out - why? What are we going to talk about? To me, saying “I don’t believe in a god” takes 2 seconds and then I don’t really want to talk about it anymore. I certainly don’t want to sit there and debate about it! My existence doesn’t revolve around the non-existence of god, I rarely think about a god in any form. I mean, I’m reading the Mahabharat, which is inherently a religious book, and I still don’t think of god while I’m reading it. I think about the political machinations in the book - it’s fascinating reading. But I never think about the fact that god is supposed to be behind it all, until someone reminds me - like here. [/QUOTE] Hmmm, interesting. Yeah, it sounds silly when you put it that way. But doesn’t everything sound silly that way? A: I think Jesus Rock! B: So do I! A: We should hang out! A: I think Jesus is the best! B: We should hang out. A: Do you believe in transubstantiation? B: Of course! A: Later, Loser! A: Do you have a high IQ? B: Yes. Let’s join Mensa. A: See you later! B: You going to that Dopefest? What’s the point? Don’t you even argue with some of those guys? A: Yeah, but…you see…we all hang out online. B: Other than the Straight Dope, do you have anything else in common? A: … Seems to me people strike up friendships for all sorts of silly reasons. Why is it extra silly to meet over atheism? ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/35 "2006-09-29T16:07:59Z")
I’m not much of a joiner to begin with, but if I were to join a social club it would be more likely based around hobbies than beliefs. A homebrewing club, for instance, could be quite entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/36 "2006-09-29T16:10:48Z")
[QUOTE=archmichael] Hmmm, interesting. Yeah, it sounds silly when you put it that way. But doesn’t everything sound silly that way? Seems to me people strike up friendships for all sorts of silly reasons. Why is it extra silly to meet over atheism? [/QUOTE] I don’t meet for - Religion IQ or social, moral, or political beliefs. If it floats other people’s boats, that’s one thing. But I class atheism right in that group - nothing really in common. So you see I already don’t join groups randomly. I do join groups for - Common authors Dance Book clubs So we actually have something to talk about/do. The one place I consistently do and will make an exception is for Dopefests. I dunno why. I don’t have a lot in common with the people I’ve met. But everyone needs some form of hypocrisy in life, and this is one of mine. Anyway, the OP’s question was - “Would you join an atheist club”, and that’s what I answered, and why. The question was not - “is it silly to join such things?” If other people want to join, that’s cool by me. I just stated why I wouldn’t be interested. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/37 "2006-09-29T16:12:13Z")
Sigh, and upon re-reading, **mrklutz** has said it much briefer and clearer than I did. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/38 "2006-09-29T16:41:56Z")
[QUOTE=archmichael] I read that article that said Christians distrust Atheists more than followers of other religions, and it’s been bugging me. I guess we have a PR problem. [/QUOTE] Our PR problem is people saying we’re at war with Christmas and things like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/39 "2006-09-29T16:50:43Z")
I’m an atheist who loves the pagan holiday of Christmas! But I digress… Anyway, no club for me. I’m not much of a joiner, and it has to be admitted that people vocal about their atheism (in real life, that is), have a higher looniness quotient than the norm. Someone above mentioned Mensa. I’m just guessing that’s a pretty godless bunch, so if you’ve got decent SAT scores, you might think about joining them. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535/40 "2006-09-29T16:52:00Z")
No, because it seems like such a group would have its share of zealots, and I don’t care to be surrounded by people who’d just be the atheist version of Pat Robertson. Also I don’t feel that I suffer too too much at the hands of theists and think the discrimination complaints are, in general, much ado about nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-would-you-join-an-atheist-social-club/374535.md?page=3)