Alain de Botton plans temples for atheists

[rug]

25 January 2012

Dezeen Wire: writer Alain de Botton has announced plans to build a series of temples for atheists in the UK. The first will be a 46 metre-tall black tower designed by Tom Greenall Architects and constructed in London to represent the idea of perspective.

The move follows the publication of de Botton’s latest book, Religion for Atheists, and his Living Architecture social enterprise to construct holiday homes by the likes of MVRDV, Peter Zumthor and NORD Architecture.

- snip -

‘Why should religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?’ he asks. ‘It’s time atheists had their own versions of the great churches and cathedrals’.

Alain de Botton has laid out his plans in a new book, Religion for Atheists, which argues that atheists should copy the major religions and put up a network of new architectural masterpieces in the form of temples.

http://www.dezeen.com/2012/01/25/alain-de-botton-plans-temples-for-atheists/

[phantom power]

1. because we didn't already have enough trouble explaining that atheism isn't a religion?

[immoderate]

7. But we could have an official ritual to boycott.

To paraphrase the great Groucho: "I wouldn't belong to a church that would have me as a member."


--imm

[arely staircase]

2. not as good as his steakhouses for vegans plan, but still pretty solid. nt

[ZombieHorde]

10. Ha! nt

[Jim__]

3. The design for the temple sounds impressive.

Jürgen Habermas in his book An Awareness of What is Missing begins the book with a description of the 1991 memorial service for Max Frisch, an agnostic. There were, of course, no prayers, blessings or talk of an afterlife at the service, but it was held in St Peter's Church in Zürich. Habermas saw this as evidence that secular culture had not fully come to terms with all aspects of life. De Botton's temple could be seen as a step in addressing this issue.

[ladjf]

4. What would the purpose be for those expensive buildings? nt

[Ecumenist]

5. Doesn't make sense.. Why would atheists wasnt a Temple? That's an oxomoron. "

RELIGION FOR ATHEISTS"? WTF?

[cleanhippie]

6. What a waste of resources.

Atheists don't have religion, nor do they pray, so they don't need a temple. I suspect there is more than meets the eye here.

[immoderate]

8. They are to boycott! Really makes our point.

--imm

[cleanhippie]

9. As I thought, he has an underLYING motive. Selling a book.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12187672