REPOST - The First Church of Atheism

REPOST – The First Church of Atheism – REALLY!!!

Posted by admin on July 16, 2011
Stored in Blog

I was checking my twitter account this last week and saw a tweet referencing The First Church of Atheism. That got my attention and I clicked on the link in the Tweet which took me to their website. As I started to read, the first thing that I thought was REALLY. As I read further, I said REALLY!!!!! WOW…I had no idea. Makes me stop and scratch my head.

I am not suggesting that you actually visit their site as I would not want to make their web hits increase and add fuel to their beliefs or perpetuate any appearance of agreement or acceptance. So, allow me to share with you some of what I saw…then let me know if this is as alarming to you as it was to me:

1. The website claims that they have ordained 4468 “ministers” (which is up about 75 in the week it took me to write this)

2. That you can become ordained quickly, easily, and at no cost. It further says:

As a legally ordained minister, you will be able to perform weddings, funerals, commitment ceremonies, and other functions that are reserved for members of clergy.

Since its inception, the First Church of Atheism has amassed quite a following around the world. FCA ministers come from all walks of life. They are every race, ethnicity, age, and creed. The one thing binding every FCA minister is his or her belief in science, reason, and reality.

The First Church of Atheism wants you to pursue and cherish your realistic beliefs without interference from any outside agency, including government or church authority. We provide our service for free, as we believe it is every atheists right to perform these clergy functions.

You may become a legally ordained minister for life, without cost, and without question.

3. They are trying to raise $900,000 to buy a “real church”. To date…that have raise ZERO…go figure. Does anyone else see the irony in this? Atheists want a “church”….but what is a church? HMMM

4. To become ordained…all you have to do is click on their site…fill out a form…and presto, you are ordained.

5. They have a “What We Believe” section that states

The First Church of Atheism is formed around the belief that the mysteries of life can be explained through science and reason. We aim to provide a place for atheists to become ordained, for free, as well as a hub for atheists to find ministers to perform their ceremonies. This is our doctrine:

“Nothing exists besides natural phenomena. Thought is merely a function of that natural phenomena. Death is complete, and irreversible. We have faith solely in humankind, nature, and the facts of science.”

5. The site has a “store” where you can buy Marriage License, Parking Placard for your car, Commitment Certificates (what ever that is) and other official looking documents

Let me ask….does this bother any of you like it does me? I am frankly dumbfounded…like Simon Cowell after a really bad audition on American Idol…and at a lack of “appropriate” words to use. Given that, I had better stop before I insert my foot in my mouth.

Now its your turn…what do you think? What are your thoughts on this…do share.

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