Atheism in the USVI

I am thinking of starting up a local chapter of the church of FSM...check out our beliefs here http://www.venganza.org/

Im covinced that we are all safe from global warming here in the VI due to the continued prevalence of local pirates...arrgh.

Funny you mention FSM. My religion on facebook is "Pastafarian".

Arrrrg!

All praise his noodly appendages

LOL, I love FSM! I am touched...

You guys are touched, alright!:@)

Seriously, there is a Universalist Unitarian Church on St. Croix. I'm not a member and don't know much about it, but my brother-in-law's family if extremely active in what they refer to as a "fellowship", not a church, in Illinois. They do all kinds of good works, congregate every Sunday, have educational seminars, are very active in the community, etc. but without traditional religion. I think most of them are agnostics, some atheists, but no believers.

I know a few people who attend the UU church. They are moving in the right direction. Their mission statement is:

"Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded faith that encourages you to seek your own spiritual path. Our faith draws on many religious traditions, welcoming people with different beliefs into our community. We are united by shared values, not by creed or dogma. Our congregations are places where people gather to nurture their spirits and put their faith into action by helping to make our communities—and the world—a better place."

I personally see no need for seeking a spiritual path. Fellowship and helping to make our community a better place is a very good thing.

Just so you understand, the Church of FSM was created as a farce to help combat Christians in Kansas who were trying to force the public schools to teach Intelligent Design(creationism) in science class. Bobby created FSM as an alternative to I.D. and successfully argued in court that it was as logical a theory as I.D. His summation was:

"In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."

I.D. is not taught in Kansas public schools. Thank you Bobby and thanks to the 1000's of scientists and teachers who wrote to the boards of education in Kansas. Support Science, not Superstition!

“It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
Mark Twain

I am Atheist so is my wife. I have no use for any religion, big waste of time and money. When you die you turn into dirt just like me no matter what book you like to read. Is that so scary you must believe in lyes

Spiritual Humanist here. http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/. I tried for years to get my arms around a deity but either tried to hard or not hard enough. I found Spiritual Humanism when I was looking to be ordained so I could marry my son and his wife. For $19.95 I got my credential. I wrote a well accepted service and only mentioned the word god once by request of the bride.
I identified with the rituals and the humanistic approach to the world. I guess I'll wear this label and celebrate the seasons and the inherent good in everyone.
If anyone needs a wedding officiant for a secular, personalized ceremony I'm available on STX.

I know you Atheists/Humanists/Skeptics out there will love this website

http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Jesus/Intelligence%20&%20religion.htm

Roto very interesting information. Athough I haven't sought to affrirm my position, i do feel a little affirmed after reading that.

One of the most important days for Spiritual Humanists soon come, the Summer Soltice.

I can understand the Flying Spaghetti Monsterism Pastafarian as suggested above.
Though,i have never copped decent high from smoking durum wheat semolina(never burnt one past aldente though)
The alternative:
You can pray with the locals, worship god,then, suck your teeth,insult your neighbor & spit on the ground before you even make it to your car!
Now,that`s a holy day!

Religion is important & has a role as some need SOMETHING to believe in!<<This can & does change some lives for the better!
True, Bolongo has the most churches per foot than anywhere else on the planet!

So, to be tax free in your business in STT,you either have to be a "pastor" of your church, or a taxi driver,,(in which case we have already proved you would be holier than thou!)<<on STT anyway!

I'm Agnostic, or Atheist, or whatever...I just don't really give a damn...and the thought of going to church to not give a damn isn't all that appealing.

I always knew I had a distaste for government and could always explain it as I always could clearly see that government was an institute that achieves everything via violence. However, I could never explain my distaste for religion until I read Ayn Rand. Brilliant thoughts that clearly explained how religion is so detrimental to human progress.

Sean

DUN said it perfect some need something to believe in. I don't think they need someone telling them what to believe. It is brain wash for control over population. It has been working for a long time. If that is what they need well then shit.

Many people in the past have found religion useful.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
Seneca the Younger 4 b.c.- 65 a.d.

Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.
Napoleon Bonaparte

"George Bush says he speaks to god every day, and christians love him for it. If George Bush said he spoke to god through his hair dryer, they would think he was mad. I fail to see how the addition of a hair dryer makes it any more absurd."

Religion, or lack thereof, is even worse that politics for getting people riled up. To paraphrase an old joke - I won't tell you mine, if you won't tell me yours.

OK Linda, when are they going to get God off of my money? That riles me up. An how about the pledge? Get God out of our pledge.

Did you ever read the Treaty of Tripoli from 1797? This what our founding fathers thought.

"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

This passed unanimously in the Senate and was signed by John Adams.

The Senate's ratification was only the third recorded unanimous vote of 339 votes taken. The treaty was printed in the Philadelphia Gazette and two New York papers, with no evidence of any public dissent.

See, just like I said, riled up!! LOL.

Live and let live. Just treat each other as you would like to be treated. Believe what you may,but things do happen in a mysterious ways.

Science can never explain why I stopped at a hospital chapel and ask GOD to take my Father quickly and to not let him suffer for 6 months,2 days later he was gone. Your guess is as good as mine,be right with your own heart and walk your own path.

i mean no offense to anyone but i truly believe that organized religion of any form is the root of all evil in the world today,i believe in a "power greater than myself" but in nothing organized.

Karma is my thing - what goes around, comes around.

What frequently surprises me about some athiests is that they hold to their beliefs as fervently, intolerantly, and beligerently as do some who believe in God, (or for that matter a sports team, or political party, etc). It's like they have exchanged one form of fascist thinking for another.

TR, I'm sorry you feel so strongly about organized religion. I have my quibbles with it as well. But there is a huge difference between "faith" and "organized religion," and the problem is when the two become blurred. I'm sure you would agree that all sorts of good people are unfortnately and regularly lumped together with the idiots of this world -with whom they share something in common whether they like it or not! In that respect, it's like family, ...or an island.

The essence of the scientific method is the willingness to admit you’re wrong, the willingness to abandon ideas that don’t work. And, the essence of religion is not to change anything. Supposed truths are handed down by some revered figure and then no one is supposed to make any progress beyond that, because all the truth is thought to be in hand.

– Carl Sagan “God, The Universe, and Everything Else” (UK 1988)

I guess if chockman's story proves that prayer works, this story proves that prayer is a waste of time.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,341574,00.html

"Religion convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll go to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...And he needs money! He's all powerful, but he can't handle money! "
[George Carlin, from the album "You Are All Diseased" (it can also be found in the book "Napalm and Silly Putty".]

Keeping it simple stupid..........

Treat every man, woman, child, and animal as you would have yourself, your family, and your beloved pets treated.

When you hear of a man, his dog, and his sailboat are washed up on a reef, or a dog is found in the garbage dumpster at Peter's Rest, or you simply know of a situation that is not right...Do something!!! Help locate services, network, skip a meal for yourself, part with $5. Do anything!!!

Imagine...By John Lennon

"Imagine there's no heaven. It's easy if you try. No hell below us, Above us only sky. Imagine all the people, Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too. Imagine all the people, Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one"