Fun:Secular Priests' Association
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The Secular Priests Association (SPA) is a support and advocacy group for priests and ministers who don't believe in God or any of the morals and laws associated with their religions.
SPA members have been criticized for bringing their lack of beliefs in to their work. Many concerned church-goers have commented that they do not go to church to be told that God probably doesn't exist.
[edit] Beliefs and mission
The group believes that personal beliefs must always act as a guide, rejecting the notion that such beliefs should remain a personal matter. There are no specific requirements for membership, but members are expected to not be creepy, irrational or insanely arrogant. Also, members must accept the core beliefs of the group:
- Dawkinsical inerrancy
- Religious people are dumb, and atheists smart
- Separation of religion and God
[edit] Why pray when you could actually do something?
in 2010, the SPA launched their Coact initiative, aiming to "Build bridges between atheistic priests and secular organizations." Bible thumpers complained incessantly when the Vatican provided the SPA with a grant of £10,000 to aid their efforts. The Pope, commenting on the grant, said "We found that people responded badly when told that they were sinful abominations destined for Hell. People respond so much better when you talk to them like humans, and that's what these atheist priests can do."
Coact is taking the controversial step of actually doing something useful, not just repeating stultifyingly pointless rituals and invocations of invisible helpers. Initially local residents have been confused by offers of real practical assistance with no strings attached. This has now passed, and most people welcome the SPA.