Distinctive atheist institutions?
I went to a chapel service last night where the address was about the value of theist institutions (whether in healthcare, education, etc.) in terms of strengthening diversity. The basic idea was that these institutions provide the private good of services in tune with the beliefs of that community. This also has a promulgatory or buttressing function for the religion. Perhaps essentially this is a reification of religion qua community.
Well what of distinctive atheists institutions? We cannot look to the state, at least not in Australia. Religion is pervasive in most aspects of state-sponsored life. I don’t think we can look, unfortunately, to private enterprise either. To embody and communicate the community values of atheism I think is beyond the scope of enterprise – I think it takes the authentic community in itself. (I could be wrong here of course. There are some very powerful community-backed brands these days.) Atheists could also annex the institutions of essentially atheist religions (i.e. Buddhism) but this is unlikely to appeal to all.
Recent atheist convention aside, atheists are a disorganised lot, some even hold such disorganisation as a strong point in resisting religiosity. But I wonder how such institutions might be developed, and if indeed they are a prerequisite for strong communities and the kind of promulgation that I think most atheists would like, but perhaps lack the zeal to propose?
Yes, you risk turning atheism into a religion some may argue though. I agree that diversity of every kind is important to the expansion and fullfilment of the people. Simply Acquiecsing to the beliefs of others does nothing to further our society.