Atheists/agnostics, so as not to throw out the babby with the bathwater...?

We don't need church or God to give our lives a moral compass, we know virtue is it's own reward. We don't need a carrot and stick approach to avoid evil. We don't need a sky father in order to give our lives a meaning. All that is fine. However, where do we go for emotional support during difficult times in the community in this highly mobile society when our friends and relatives are not readily available? Where do we go if we need help and can't qualify for public assistance because we "fall through the gaps" or long waiting lists? How are we to meet our social need to associate with like-minded individuals along with family-oriented activities? I know organizing us is like herding cats but what can we do? To attract others, we need to address this...
And for the trolls, I AM an atheist, my activity is an open book.

"My activity is an open book"

Not wise here, dear boy.

Family members usually help support each other. Also friends can be a great support. The government has entire agencies set up to help people and of course there are psychologists that can help people with emotional issues.

Church in general is just a money making organization that uses fear to grow their masses. The world does not need religion.

We go to face book, reedit, /b/. In the Internets we trust (which is usually a bad idea).

Heh... Babb.

I really think that it is just as simple (and complicated) as surrounding ourselves with people. I strongly disagree that they all have to be like minded. I have religious friends. If we can get along, and live with each other, and enjoy each others company then I believe that is what everyone needs. As long as you can surround yourself with many different people - atheists, theists, children, seniors, adults, teachers, students etc etc. - then you should be able to find the emotional support you need.

As far as difficult times, I don't think that those times are solved through religious intervention anyway, so I'm not sure what you mean. I think that if you have anyone to turn to, then turn to them, and if you don't, then you need to turn to a service that can help you. A government run service, a therapist or councilor, a doctor, a help group such as those in hospitals.

I dint know what mountain top you are living on, but my friends and family are accessible. Even though my father lives across the country, he is still accessible in case of emergency.

Friends and family. That's all I need for support. I have great friends and a wonderful, loving family.

As for "like-minded" individuals, not all of my friends have my view. As a matter of fact, the majority of my friends are Christians (just not very serious about it). I mostly hang out with people who have a good sense of humor.

I don't have an atheist quota; though my boyfriend is an atheist and that definitely helped win me over.

I see where you're going and this sounds like a great idea. A sort of...club...that would meet in a building. We could have weekly meetings in which one of us gives a speech about his feelings or something. But clubs need money, so we'll have to collect donations - even make them required. How about we do something fair and use a flat 10% of your income to determine your required donation?


So, you're basically advocating that atheists create their own church? Honestly, where do you think churches came from? They're essentially a 'fan clubs for Christ', with the church being their clubhouse...

Toastmasters.