Shouldn't we atheists have our own version of a "clergy"?

[Mich Otter]

Why should you have to believe in an imaginary god to have someone help provide comfort and care when needed? Shouldn't we be able to get advice and solace from someone who believes as we do?

[Warpy]

1. Try Buddhist monks or nuns

or UU ministers.

Only believers insist on a church of atheism. Atheists generally don't think much of the idea.

[YankeyMCC]

2. Try the AHA

http://www.americanhumanist.org/chapters/

[Book Lover]

3. Why?

[NMMNG]

4. Only sheeples need a sheeple herder

We just need a place to commiserate and wash ourselves of the stink of mysticism.

[Taxloss]

5. To be honest, the idea gives me the creeps.

I don't need someone to tell me what to think. No organisations, no clergy, no matching hats, no songs, no special handshakes, no icons.

Surely there are plenty of other sources of solace; what theists claim is the "comfort" of the church is just a symptom of emotional dependency.

On edit: some of the nicest and most caring people I have ever met were priests. But if the priesthood didn't exist, I daresay they would still be that caring annd working instead in medicine, hospices, charities, etc.

[Mich Otter]

6. "I daresay they would still be that caring annd working instead"

Taxloss said, "I daresay they would still be that caring annd working instead in medicine, hospices, charities, etc."

That is kinda what I had in mind, someone caring and helping, only with Atheist's beliefs being respected.
I think many Atheists find it confusing taking the steps to come to the conclusion that all the gods are equally imaginary.
Most people appreciate a bit of "confirmation of self". I, for one, appreciate conversing with others who share my views and values. It can be tough for some people to deal with society's pressure to give in the mainstream and just go along.

[Book Lover]

7. So what do you want this clergy to provide you?

I wouldn't define our position in (anti)religious terms. If you are thinking of regular social gatherings and hospitals and the like, why include the spirituality and moral authority that clerics (broadly defined) represent?

[jonnyblitz]

8. no i dont care to parakeet something i loathe...like religion

no gods, no masters. period.

[onager]

9. Why would we need a clergy?

We already have the orgies and Xian baby-killing rituals. Isn't that enough?

[Arianrhod]

10. Since atheism isn't something one "searches for"

in the way one might search for meaning in life, I would suggest that authorizing a "clergy" to instruct and comfort us on this non-search is pretty meaningless in itself. Religionists have clergy because they can't or won't enter into reality on their own; they need someone else to define that reality for them, and to chastise them when they stray from the narrow-minded path those very clergy have set before them. It's a vicious circle, leading nowhere.

Atheism--like mysticism and Paganism--is self-experiential. It requires no outside influence to "help" us. Indeed, as in Zen, outside influences are just more clutter that actually prevents us from knowing the truth.

Face the abyss! :)