For millennia, people have engaged Lent as a time to give up something for God. Atheism for Lent, as popularized by pomo philosopher Peter Rollins, is an invitation to observe it by giving up GOD, in whatever definition we currently assume and base our belief.
There are as many atheisms as there are theisms; all affirmations create their negations. When a belief system is faced with critique, often its reaction is to reject its rejectors. There is an alternative, though, in listening to those who question, and truly considering what they have to say. By pondering perspectives from those who have deliberately chosen to locate themselves outside our tradition, we may be given to see our own blind spots, and refine our own systems of faith.
This Lent, you are invited to expose yourself to some of the most perceptive Western criticisms of God, religion, and faith, posed by figures who offer critiques of instrumentalist, crutch-like, and oppressive systems of belief. Atheism for Lent will provide resources for your reflection, invitation to consider why you have embraced the faith system (theistic, atheistic, or otherwise) that you have, and events to practice welcome and interaction with the "other" - both the focal figures you'll encounter, and people like those around you every day whose social, political, and/or religious views and practices differ from your own. It's an opportunity for each of us to examine ourselves, and open to a deeper, richer, greater understanding of our belief. The goal is to generate an interesting conversation. If it becomes personally transformative, that's okay too.
Events, led by Zihna Gordon, will begin at 7pm and end around 9 pm:
March 10 – Wherein we compare church wounds and comment on the New Atheists
March 24 – Wherein we discuss Freud’s critiques of religion
April 7 – Wherein we ponder Marx’s view of things
April 21 – Wherein we consider Nietzsche’s contributions on the topic
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH OF THE LIVING ROOM & PING PONG EMPORIUM
466 Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
on The Edgewood Corridor, in the old Danneman’s space, diagonal to Sound Table.
Questions about this event?
Visit Metro Atlanta Emergent Cohort at:
http://atlantaemergence.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
