Atheist Summer Camps - What Do You Think?

The idea behind the camp is to give a "godless" alternative to traditional religious summer camps.

What do you think about these camps?

In my opinion, the camps don't anger me, because I really respect the right to establish groups about any kind of interest or world-view. They puzzle me though - If this was a purely "scientific" camp, I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to them, because science is accessable to pretty much anybody. Now, you might say: "If Christians can have camps for kids, why can't Atheists?" Again, I agree, there's no problem. I still find it very strange in the same way that I'd find a "We don't believe in unicorns" camp, strange.

To me, it seems like the camp has a hidden "purpose" of bashing religion very subtly - kind of like the Atheist bus campaign. It seems to provoke positivity, but actually, it implies that religious people can't "enjoy life" like everyone else.

Why would somebody go to something dumb like that? Why can't you just go to regular summer camp with everyone else?

Twelve-year-old Julia has very firm views. "I'm an atheist. I believe in the big bang and stuff.

I lol'd.

I didn't know our beliefs were so complex is merited a whole camp. :P

Sounds stupid and a waste of money.

Have not a problem with it, except... do they really need a camp? Now I'm not trying to start a war, I'm just saying, is it really THAT big a deal? But besides me being very confused, I have no problem at all.

Hmm I sit on the fence here. The camps are good for teaching kids to be open minded and question what they get told but the whole "We're so atheist" is a bit tit for tat really.tofu-lion91

Gathering all the children of non-believers in one central location will make evangelizing much easier.

Twelve-year-old Julia has very firm views. "I'm an atheist. I believe in the big bang and stuff.

I lol'd.

So... it's just a summer camp. Someone wants attention.

So its a science camp that promotes critical thinking? Why give it such a terrible name that's just going to draw fire from religious types?Locke562

How is it any different from Christian camps or retreats? or any other religious camps?auron_16

I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to themStumpt25

In my experience, well known atheist seem to be the strongest proponents of scepticism,logic,reason,science,education,etc.

So this incorporation feels natural to me.

[QUOTE="Stumpt25"]I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to them_Tobli_

In my experience, well known atheist seem to be the strongest proponents of scepticism,logic,reason,science,education,etc.

So this incorporation feels natural to me.

[QUOTE="auron_16"]How is it any different from Christian camps or retreats? or any other religious camps?Pirate700

The idea behind the camp is to give a "godless" alternative to traditional religious summer camps. In the morning the participants discuss philosophical ideas and learn about subjects such as astronomy. Then in the afternoons they take part in more traditional camp activities. They swim, they run, they climb, they row. In the evening - if the rain relents - they sit round the campfire and toast marshmallows.

Sounds pretty damn awesome to me.

[QUOTE="Stumpt25"]I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to them_Tobli_

In my experience, well known atheist seem to be the strongest proponents of scepticism,logic,reason,science,education,etc.

So this incorporation feels natural to me.

[QUOTE="Stumpt25"]I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to them_Tobli_

In my experience, well known atheist seem to be the strongest proponents of scepticism,logic,reason,science,education,etc.

So this incorporation feels natural to me.

[QUOTE="_Tobli_"]

[QUOTE="Stumpt25"]I don't really understand why they have the "atheist" tagline attached to themPirate700

In my experience, well known atheist seem to be the strongest proponents of scepticism,logic,reason,science,education,etc.

So this incorporation feels natural to me.

I think secular is the word you are looking for. Do you know the religeous to secular compostion of summer camps in the Uk?

wow, that's arrogantBadBrain21

How is it arrogant?

[QUOTE="BadBrain21"] wow, that's arrogant_Tobli_

How is it arrogant?

Great idea.

Twelve-year-old Julia has very firm views. "I'm an atheist. I believe in the big bang and stuff.

I lol'd.

The camp sounds just fine. The name is clearly intended to annoy evangelists. On both counts, I have no problem with it.

Well, I've seen some examples of people who are only atheists because they think it's cool.PannicAtack

Sure, there are atheists who are atheists for bad reasons. There are teens who are atheist just to be rebellious. Still, what my experience with well known atheist

has indicated what i stated earlier.

it seems a bit odd. They say they are free thinkers but dont putthe possibility of godinto the equation.

and like somebody said before me being athiest only really means you don't believe in God do you really need a whole camp dedicated to learning that single concept? I think not.

I don't think anyone going to a summer camp can have a validly decided relgious philosophy.

And the young arn't usually athiest, and probably wouldn't care if they were spending summer with one. There are secular summer camps though... this idea is retarded.