The existence of an organization like Houston Oasis is truly amazing. I’ve been an atheist in the Houston area for a long time now, and the constant presence of Christianity and churches has had me wanting a sense of the same community. It’s very isolating being an atheist in the Bible Belt, as I feel that I’ve been missing out on the communal benefits and relationships that come from church going.
I am not an athiest, I am a Christian, and this video was refreshing and encouraging. Hearing people seeking relationship and belongingness. Good video.
In Baton Rouge, we meet in a big room in the public library. We sometimes have outsise speakers come and speak on scientific topics. Oasis is a good name good for you Houston!
A lot like the Unitarian church we visited. Having visited black churches its the music that we loved! I agree with her on the need to feel part of a community.
Such a different culture! I'm from the Czech Republic and we have about 90% Nones. To be Christian in my country is maybe the same weird situation as to be an atheist in Texas! I'm a liberal mainline protestant and I've to say that I have much more sympathies for Houston Oasis than those "stink eye" Christians she talked about.
I had no idea this organization existed, but I will definitely be checking out my local Kansas City chapter soon! I agree that people need a community with, if not a spiritual, then certainly a poetical kind of belonging to feel and learn and grow together. Just because we don’t believe in Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t need to feel loved too!
I'm very glad I live in a country (Canada) where there's no need for a secular "oasis". The religious and non-religious don't really trouble each other very much. It's live and let live. Our identities aren't wrapped up in whether or not we believe, and conversations about religion are usually good humored.
Here in secular Canada, as a religious person, I feel similar to how her husband feels only the social norm is against mentioning Christianity in a place of work.
Ultimately, the need for a community is a biological function. The human species is a social animal and through our cultural evolution we've lost touch with one of our most basic needs; sociality. We are indeed still social, but the way and amount we socialise has decreased and changed dramatically. I live in Melbourne, Australia with a population of 5 million, and I can say for certain that most people don't know their neighbours (50/50). People are friendly to one another for sure, but most of the time there is no genuine connection taking place. Which is one of the main ingredients for communities. It is no surprise to me at all that theistic believers feel full (a sense of belonging) from their communities, and in the same notion that non-theistic individuals crave the same sense of being a part of a group. Not only is it against our grain to be isolated, it is in our nature to be a part of groups.
Human beings are social creatures. Humans formed communities long before humans formed religion. Religion took many of the characteristics of none religious communities and added it to Religion. ( There you go, your description tag is now correct. You are most welcome. ) So considering the question of can none religious communities be called godless religiosity? The answer is clearly and resoundly, No. Because it is an absurd question to being with, considering the above information earlier about human social need for community. Religion is separate from community. But Religion can and does so take characteristics of community to add to itself.
I would attend, even tho I’m not an atheist. I can’t wrap my head around being an atheist, it’s kind of comical to me. Like, the universe happened by accident?
I'm an expat stuck in godless New England, the birthplace of freedom, where the struggle from denominationalism, in the 1740's, was often physical but mostly community ... if you were the wrong denomination you were not part of the community. My oasis is an independent Bible church in a military community where families from all over the states find like minded friends. Overt expression of Christianity makes this godless New England community uncomfortable, so I enjoy my visits home where it's part of the culture. I find Texas a very friendly, and live and let live place, where "Aint that sweet" is the common condemnation. "Oasis" is enjoying the nice culture of Texas, aint that sweet. Anyone can see the repercussions of a long term godless society, where controlling that culture costs families a greater portion of their sustenance. Here is our common foundation for a prosperous culture; Freedom, Marriage, Family, and Local Government, a synergistic matrix, which is under constant attack by godless autocrats, Why ? Godless freedom is the West ... Eastern autocrats are commanding morality. I will raise my family in godly freedom and strive for community where everyone can find an oasis.
Hi. Does "expat" mean, you used to be from Texas? Sounds like you go back often. I wonder why you live in New England? It would be fun to hear you explain what "synergistic matrix" means. I have no idea. :) Also, why are marriage and family a foundation for prosperous culture? Not meaning to offend you. I just want to know what it is about those that contribute to essentially to society. Why do I wonder? Because if we know why, exactly, those are essential, we can help people who don't have a family or are unmarried to achieve success, also. :) Hope you reply.Thanks!
@@teachoc9482 Synergistic - the whole is greater than it's parts ... the matrix - each part works with the others. When these institutions are working it produces; personal occupation, responsibility and building of wealth, which results in the ability to help others. While these principles are for all mankind they are enhanced by God's family. I did find one of the more concise explanations at this link ... but there are extensive studies on "Divine Institutions" you can find. www.divineviewpoint.com/Divine_institutions.pdf
I don’t think anybody would say that. It’s common sense to anyone who knows some history or even just reads the news that laws don’t have to follow morality. A law is effectively just anything that the government decides. Nobody mistakes that for a way to actually make ethical judgments.
Hi. I wonder why you ask that. The great thing about atheism is there is usually no shame. 99% of people are pretty normal, not psychopaths, so most of us follow natural instincts, for which we don't need shame. The only reason most people feel shame is their family or religion puts it on them. You see, when you realize we evolved, that gives us the reason that we naturally fight and want to have sex, and most other behaviors. We realize that to keep people from hurting each other, we don't need shame. We just need to share resources and give people medical and mental care, and have a nice community to give support. I hope that helped you understand that sin and shame have little place in atheism. BTW, if someone is a ruthless rapist/serial killer or something, they would never feel shame, anyway, in any religion, because they have a mental disorder. You can see that religion doesn't stop those types of crazy people, so that's not what I'm talking about. I hope you will ask me if you have other questions. Did that help? I feel like I need to keep goign, but you would get bored. :)
It is interesting how there are even communal meals with the coffee breaks. And they are pretty important, it would seem. And they feature a mind altering substance.
Hi. I wonder why you say that. I really enjoy being atheist and thinking about how I can leave a mark on the world by doing something helpful, good, something to last past my lifetime that benefits others, like teaching my kids to be helpful to society. I think religious people also want to make their own personal meaning in the world. You see, religious people are given a God, but that doesn't really help them to personalize their experiences. They still always find a way to do something themselves, their own personal way, to give back to the world. Does that make sense? So, even though we all either believe in some God or don't, we all try to find a way to make our lives matter. The difference is that religious people think someone is watching, but atheists think just their friends or family or their own conscience is watching. You see a lot of criminals in jail who are religious, so you can tell that religion is not the thing that makes people good. It's their own personal way of finding meaning in their world. I hope that helps you to understand and see how similar you and I and everyone are. :) Reply if you want more "meaning." haha. Just kidding.
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The existence of an organization like Houston Oasis is truly amazing. I’ve been an atheist in the Houston area for a long time now, and the constant presence of Christianity and churches has had me wanting a sense of the same community. It’s very isolating being an atheist in the Bible Belt, as I feel that I’ve been missing out on the communal benefits and relationships that come from church going.
What's the Bible Belt?
I am not an athiest, I am a Christian, and this video was refreshing and encouraging. Hearing people seeking relationship and belongingness. Good video.
This was a really great interview, I was completely engrossed. Thank you for organizing this and sharing it.
In Baton Rouge, we meet in a big room in the public library. We sometimes have outsise speakers come and speak on scientific topics. Oasis is a good name good for you Houston!
A lot like the Unitarian church we visited. Having visited black churches its the music that we loved! I agree with her on the need to feel part of a community.
Such a different culture! I'm from the Czech Republic and we have about 90% Nones. To be Christian in my country is maybe the same weird situation as to be an atheist in Texas! I'm a liberal mainline protestant and I've to say that I have much more sympathies for Houston Oasis than those "stink eye" Christians she talked about.
What do you mean by mainline protestant?
I had no idea this organization existed, but I will definitely be checking out my local Kansas City chapter soon! I agree that people need a community with, if not a spiritual, then certainly a poetical kind of belonging to feel and learn and grow together. Just because we don’t believe in Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t need to feel loved too!
I'm very glad I live in a country (Canada) where there's no need for a secular "oasis". The religious and non-religious don't really trouble each other very much. It's live and let live. Our identities aren't wrapped up in whether or not we believe, and conversations about religion are usually good humored.
The idea of Oasis needs to spread far and wide.
why there isn´t anything special in that. Church already do that
Here in secular Canada, as a religious person, I feel similar to how her husband feels
only the social norm is against mentioning Christianity in a place of work.
I like it when she laughs at the end of sentences 🙂
I had other comments, but she answered them all after I wrote them 😉
This might be something I didn't know I needed.
Ultimately, the need for a community is a biological function. The human species is a social animal and through our cultural evolution we've lost touch with one of our most basic needs; sociality. We are indeed still social, but the way and amount we socialise has decreased and changed dramatically.
I live in Melbourne, Australia with a population of 5 million, and I can say for certain that most people don't know their neighbours (50/50). People are friendly to one another for sure, but most of the time there is no genuine connection taking place. Which is one of the main ingredients for communities.
It is no surprise to me at all that theistic believers feel full (a sense of belonging) from their communities, and in the same notion that non-theistic individuals crave the same sense of being a part of a group. Not only is it against our grain to be isolated, it is in our nature to be a part of groups.
Great interview.
My only question is do they have to pay taxes?
Come to DC
It's just a club for like minded people who don't want to go to church, so this is their excuse. Nothing wrong with that.
Human beings are social creatures.
Humans formed communities long before humans formed religion.
Religion took many of the characteristics of none religious communities and added it to Religion.
( There you go, your description tag is now correct. You are most welcome. )
So considering the question of can none religious communities be called godless religiosity? The answer is clearly and resoundly, No. Because it is an absurd question to being with, considering the above information earlier about human social need for community. Religion is separate from community. But Religion can and does so take characteristics of community to add to itself.
I would attend, even tho I’m not an atheist. I can’t wrap my head around being an atheist, it’s kind of comical to me. Like, the universe happened by accident?
I'm an expat stuck in godless New England, the birthplace of freedom, where the struggle from denominationalism, in the 1740's, was often physical but mostly community ... if you were the wrong denomination you were not part of the community. My oasis is an independent Bible church in a military community where families from all over the states find like minded friends. Overt expression of Christianity makes this godless New England community uncomfortable, so I enjoy my visits home where it's part of the culture. I find Texas a very friendly, and live and let live place, where "Aint that sweet" is the common condemnation. "Oasis" is enjoying the nice culture of Texas, aint that sweet. Anyone can see the repercussions of a long term godless society, where controlling that culture costs families a greater portion of their sustenance. Here is our common foundation for a prosperous culture; Freedom, Marriage, Family, and Local Government, a synergistic matrix, which is under constant attack by godless autocrats, Why ? Godless freedom is the West ... Eastern autocrats are commanding morality. I will raise my family in godly freedom and strive for community where everyone can find an oasis.
Hi. Does "expat" mean, you used to be from Texas? Sounds like you go back often. I wonder why you live in New England? It would be fun to hear you explain what "synergistic matrix" means. I have no idea. :) Also, why are marriage and family a foundation for prosperous culture? Not meaning to offend you. I just want to know what it is about those that contribute to essentially to society. Why do I wonder? Because if we know why, exactly, those are essential, we can help people who don't have a family or are unmarried to achieve success, also. :) Hope you reply.Thanks!
@@teachoc9482 Synergistic - the whole is greater than it's parts ... the matrix - each part works with the others. When these institutions are working it produces; personal occupation, responsibility and building of wealth, which results in the ability to help others. While these principles are for all mankind they are enhanced by God's family.
I did find one of the more concise explanations at this link ... but there are extensive studies on "Divine Institutions" you can find.
www.divineviewpoint.com/Divine_institutions.pdf
@@teachoc9482 I grew up in Corpus Christy and met my wife in CT while in the navy .. I do enjoy some extended stays back home ... where are you from?
what guides their approach to shame i wonder? christianity has sin. i guess they'd say civil and criminal law?
I don’t think anybody would say that. It’s common sense to anyone who knows some history or even just reads the news that laws don’t have to follow morality. A law is effectively just anything that the government decides. Nobody mistakes that for a way to actually make ethical judgments.
Hi. I wonder why you ask that. The great thing about atheism is there is usually no shame. 99% of people are pretty normal, not psychopaths, so most of us follow natural instincts, for which we don't need shame. The only reason most people feel shame is their family or religion puts it on them. You see, when you realize we evolved, that gives us the reason that we naturally fight and want to have sex, and most other behaviors. We realize that to keep people from hurting each other, we don't need shame. We just need to share resources and give people medical and mental care, and have a nice community to give support. I hope that helped you understand that sin and shame have little place in atheism. BTW, if someone is a ruthless rapist/serial killer or something, they would never feel shame, anyway, in any religion, because they have a mental disorder. You can see that religion doesn't stop those types of crazy people, so that's not what I'm talking about. I hope you will ask me if you have other questions. Did that help? I feel like I need to keep goign, but you would get bored. :)
It is interesting how there are even communal meals with the coffee breaks. And they are pretty important, it would seem. And they feature a mind altering substance.
Maybe they should also have dmt breaks. haha!
Man it sounds like AA.
The world wontherful thinkers atheist group.
I'm surprice
Satan has got you
So what you guys have is a social club 🤣
Without the imaginary friend(s). 😉
Stealing from the church I see 🤣
Trying to make meaning out of meaningless unbelief? What a joke.
Hi. I wonder why you say that. I really enjoy being atheist and thinking about how I can leave a mark on the world by doing something helpful, good, something to last past my lifetime that benefits others, like teaching my kids to be helpful to society. I think religious people also want to make their own personal meaning in the world. You see, religious people are given a God, but that doesn't really help them to personalize their experiences. They still always find a way to do something themselves, their own personal way, to give back to the world. Does that make sense? So, even though we all either believe in some God or don't, we all try to find a way to make our lives matter. The difference is that religious people think someone is watching, but atheists think just their friends or family or their own conscience is watching. You see a lot of criminals in jail who are religious, so you can tell that religion is not the thing that makes people good. It's their own personal way of finding meaning in their world. I hope that helps you to understand and see how similar you and I and everyone are. :) Reply if you want more "meaning." haha. Just kidding.