The Case for Religious Atheism

The following is excerpted from Bradford Greely, a U.U. minister
who is an atheist:

Religion And The Atheist

Prejudices against atheism, which are rooted in our culture,  ob-
scure  the  religion of which an atheist is capable. One does not
have to believe in a Supreme  Being  to  find  comfort,  support,
courage and insight in a worship service.

One does not have to affirm a belief in a deity to feel awe,  in-
spiration or mystery in life. One does not have to maintain obei-
sance to Almighty God in order to be humble and  believe  in  the
existence  of things unseen and higher than oneself. One does not
have to  worship  God to be able to lead a life  motivated by the
good, the true and the beautiful.

Most Unitarian Universalist atheists believe that death marks  an
end  to  personal  existence.  The  arms  of no deity (nor devil)
awaits the soul after death. That is a cold and fearsome idea for
many  but  for the atheist it appears true. However this does not
mean than an atheist would  not  seek  solace  and  encouragement
after  the death of a loved one.  The ministerings of a religious
community, including a memorial service, would be  essential  and
appropriate. For the U.U. atheist such a community and such a re-
ligious service speak to needs more real than theology.

The religious atheist believes that life needs constant  examina-
tion  and  evaluation,  that the moral ideals taught by Jesus and
other great teachers of ethics need constant attention  and  per-
sonal  affirmation.  To this end the activities and services of a
U.U.  society  meet  important  needs  for  a  person  who  calls
her/himself  a religious atheist. The worship services, the study
and discussion programs, the religious education, the social con-
cerns and socializing serve vital aspects of human life whether a
belief in God is present or not.

We U.U. atheists find that we have the same  need  for  religious
community as those who profess a belief in God. We desire the op-
portunity to celebrate our beliefs in the warm and supportive at-
mosphere  of  a  religious community. We need the stimulation and
challenge that such a community provides as we continue the  pro-
cess of developing and practicing our religious beliefs.



Daniel O'Connell