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58 - Religion for Atheists? Transhumanism, Mindfulness, and Atheist Churches

from Part VIII - Emerging Atheisms in the Twenty-First Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2021

Michael Ruse
By
Jacqui Frost
Edited by
Stephen Bullivant
Michael Ruse
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Stephen Bullivant
Affiliation:
St Mary's University, Twickenham, London
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Summary

The concept of “religion for atheists” or an “atheist church” might at first glance seem paradoxical. Indeed, the common understanding of atheism is that it means to be without theism or religion. However, there are an increasing number of atheists who engage in what might be seen as “religion-like” practices. There are atheists who gather together on Sundays to sing songs together, listen to engaging presentations, and build community with like-minded people. There are atheists that seek out experiences of “secular spirituality” and “horizontal transcendence” through practices like mindfulness meditation and sensory deprivation. And there are atheists who have dogmatic beliefs about existential and moral questions that they attempt to “evangelize” to others.

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Chapter
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The Cambridge History of Atheism , pp. 1080 - 1094
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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