Best church for atheists (local DC)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ya know, the fact that you feel a call for this community and feeling part of something bigger is God’s work. Just try being open to it.

there are plenty of communities that are not related to belief in god -- neighborhoods, schools, political groups, chess clubs, book clubs, sports, etc.

Then why, one might ask, is OP specifically asking for a church?

perhaps because that's what OP typically calls a place you go to on Sunday's with your family

There are plenty of meetups on a Sunday morning. And why Sunday morning, is it because OP likes getting the kids out of bed on non-school days? This is so weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how all the evangelicals on here are aghast at the possibility that there might even be such a place as a church for atheists. They can't fathom it! But look at all of the recommendations that OP has gotten. Must not be so preposterous after all, huh?

Get over yourself, nobody—except maybe OP—is surprised by the existence of UUs or of atheists (more likely agnostics) in some churches. The Ethical Society doesn’t call itself a church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best church for atheists is one that preaches the full counsel of the Lord our God. I'd recommend Capitol Hill Baptist Church.

OP is not asking for conversion to Christianity, but DCUM offers plenty of opportunities,

Whoooshhh. PP was obviously joking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how all the evangelicals on here are aghast at the possibility that there might even be such a place as a church for atheists. They can't fathom it! But look at all of the recommendations that OP has gotten. Must not be so preposterous after all, huh?

I don't see that at all. Where do you see it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why you’re not into the Unitarian Universalists. That the obvious fit for you. And All Souls UU church in Columbia Heights is fantastic.

—a lifelong UU and atheist.

Ahh this is good. Ok thanks. I’ll check it out.

There are a bunch in close-in MoCo, too: Cedar Lane, River Road, Silver Spring. I grew up going to Cedar Lane and appreciate the community and religious education I received there. If I had to go to church now, it would be UU.

I am an atheist (grew up Christian), and I have attended a handful of UU services at Cedar Lane over the years. They definitely seem to believe in some sort of higher power. I don't really see how it would appeal to an atheist. Washington Ethical Society seems like a better ift.

[Anonymous]

It’s called the Church of Travel Soccer. Plenty of Christians find themselves having to worship there on Sunday mornings, often against their wishes but their kids would pay a price on the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St Marks Episcopal on Capitol Hill is full of atheists -- the former priest was a non-believer.

However, they do the regular Episcopalian service and now have a pastor who is a believer.

St. Columba's in Tenley DC also has a fair share of non-believers and no one cares what you believe -- and they have lots of activities.

I'm an Episcopalian, and have worshipped for many years at St. C's. It's true that nobody there would ask you what you believe and that you and your family would be welcome to participate in all activities, but I have to wonder whether an atheist would feel comfortable praying, singing -- or even listening to -- hymns of worship, reading the Bible, etc. I mean, these are liberal congregations and many of us engage quite openly with our questions and doubts, but most of the time, most of us believe there's a God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best steakhouse for vegetarians?

+1. This is a ridiculous and borderline offensive question OP

You go to church to worship God. If that’s not acceptable to you, I don’t know what to tell you.

Atheists don't believe in God. Agnostics might

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Marks Episcopal on Capitol Hill is full of atheists -- the former priest was a non-believer.

However, they do the regular Episcopalian service and now have a pastor who is a believer.

St. Columba's in Tenley DC also has a fair share of non-believers and no one cares what you believe -- and they have lots of activities.

I'm an Episcopalian, and have worshipped for many years at St. C's. It's true that nobody there would ask you what you believe and that you and your family would be welcome to participate in all activities, but I have to wonder whether an atheist would feel comfortable praying, singing -- or even listening to -- hymns of worship, reading the Bible, etc. I mean, these are liberal congregations and many of us engage quite openly with our questions and doubts, but most of the time, most of us believe there's a God.

+1. I’ve attended St. C’s on occasion. I wonder what pp is going on when she claims “many atheists” at any church. Does she go around coffee hour—at the multiple church she lists, no less—asking people?

It seems odd to me that somebody would want to spend their mornings praying and singing hymns and listening to homilies if they don’t believe. If it’s a sense of community and/or good works, take your family to volunteer at a soup kitchen. The homeless still need to eat on Sundays. Or sign the fam up to volunteer at a creek cleaning. So many group volunteer possibilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best steakhouse for vegetarians?

+1. This is a ridiculous and borderline offensive question OP

You go to church to worship God. If that’s not acceptable to you, I don’t know what to tell you.

Atheists don't believe in God. Agnostics might

OP used the word atheist in her thread title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best church for atheists is one that preaches the full counsel of the Lord our God. I'd recommend Capitol Hill Baptist Church.

Lordy no! Baptist churches are cults. All of them. Do not even think about it, OP. It has taken me years of work and therapy to recover from the religious trauma I experienced in fundie Southern Baptist churches.

Try UU or Unity. You might like the Episcopal church. It’s a Christian church, but my experience has been that the priests are very intelligent and usually highly educated.

[Anonymous]

Ethical Culture Society on 16th St. in Shepherd Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best steakhouse for vegetarians?

Actually, you can get a veg platter at some steakhouses -- presumably for vegetarians who are going with a group of meat eaters.

+1 my vegetarian best friend says that steakhouses are among her favorite places to go out to dinner, because the sides are all amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 my vegetarian best friend says that steakhouses are among her favorite places to go out to dinner, because the sides are all amazing.

I've got some bad news for your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Marks Episcopal on Capitol Hill is full of atheists -- the former priest was a non-believer.

However, they do the regular Episcopalian service and now have a pastor who is a believer.

St. Columba's in Tenley DC also has a fair share of non-believers and no one cares what you believe -- and they have lots of activities.

I'm an Episcopalian, and have worshipped for many years at St. C's. It's true that nobody there would ask you what you believe and that you and your family would be welcome to participate in all activities, but I have to wonder whether an atheist would feel comfortable praying, singing -- or even listening to -- hymns of worship, reading the Bible, etc. I mean, these are liberal congregations and many of us engage quite openly with our questions and doubts, but most of the time, most of us believe there's a God.

Some atheists are comfortable with this, or don't mind.