Do atheists need temples?

[naomi24]

The Telegraph says "Two of Britain’s most revered non-believers have come to blows over plans to build a £1 million “temple for atheists” in the City of London."

http://www.telegraph....ng-non-believers.html

I'm with Richard Dawkins on this - it's an appalling idea - and incidentally I object to the Telegraph's use of the word 'revered'. 'Respected' would have been far more appropriate.

[DTCwordfan]

Agree

If those two need a temple, they could "worship" the Gherkin in London.

[woofgang]

well the folk who want it could pay for it and use it, and the folk who don't need neither fund not attend....like pubs, restaurants, theatres and so on.

[sandyRoe]

Would it not prove to be as futile as the Tower of Babel? But they've picked a good location for it, amongst the temples of Mammon.

[DTCwordfan]

Naomi - do we elevate you to "revered" here on AB? (or reverend) : - )

[Old_Geezer]

It would seem that some feel a need for one. But what they are worshipping there is a mystery to me. Maybe the link explains, but so many AB threads, so little time.

[ludwig]

No, it's daft. The use of the word 'revered' is also quite deliberately mischievous on the Telegraph's part.

[sandyRoe]

impious, even

[naomi24]

DT, I don't understand your question - but 'Naomi' will do.

[Brenden]

Hey DT, I like the "gherkin"

[vulcan]

I've always though the very essence of atheism was we didn't need or require a building/tower to praise, well, nothing.

[Davethedog]

How can it work? In a Church or Mosque god is the focal point, like minded people come toghether to pray and hear the teachings from their book.

What would Atheists do? Tell you what lets all go down the pub.

[4getmenot]

surely pubs are our temples

[jomifl]

Quote from the Telegraph..
'de Botton said he chose the country's financial centre because he believes it is where people have most seriously lost perspective on life's priorities'
I think de Botton has lost the plot, if this is what he really thinks, then he has 'lost perspective'.

[Davethedog]

4getmenot - I won't disagree :-)

[Ankou]

have you seen the images of the tower? it'll never get planning.

anyone suspicious might be inclined to think that de botton has just published a book .............

[redvanman]

Good see if thy can get planning concent to build it next store to a mosque

[jomifl]

Does the pope need a condom?

[LazyGun]

Debotton has a book to sell. He thinks that those nasty atheists are too shrill, too strident, and that they should be more accomodating to religious ritual.

He is entitled to his point of view, but to confuse reason,logic and rebuttal with aggression is a mistake - Just like his idea of building a temple.

Religion has gotten used to unthinking deference and/or respect for its beliefs. Its well past time that such respect was challenged.

Its like Vulcan says - The definition of atheism is non belief in any form of deity or idea of a deity, so whats the point of espousing a temple for atheists except to promote your book and to be mischevious?

[DTCwordfan]

as long as the condom has a hole in it, then the Pope, as a Catholic, could use it, jomifl.

[jomifl]

According to jesuitical logic a condom with a hole in both ends is not a condom as it cannot function as one.(assuming that one of the holes is big enough for a spermatozoon to squeeze through and the other is just err.. well big enough). :o)