On Atheist "pilgrimages" ---namely, visiting sites associated with the great men and women who helped raise atheism from obscurity. What suggestions can be made?

Do atheists make pilgrimages?  Well, of course, not in the sense that god believers do.    
The Oxford English Dictionary says that a pilgrimage is "a journey made by a pilgrim" or "the action of taking such a journey"; while 
a pilgrim is (among alternatives) "One who journeys (usually a long distance) to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion".
.
And yet YES, in the sense of making a mission of undertaking an excursion or tour to visit sites associated with major figures who contributed much to the rise of atheism out of the cerebral morass of religious dogma.
.
My most appreciated figurehead is certainly Charles Darwin, recognised in Britain by his appearance on a £2 coin
 
and a £10 pound note    
.
Born in Shrewsbury, England,  
he lived and worked most of his adult life in Down House, Kent, where he died in 1882.
He is celebrated with a huge statue in the Natural History Museum, London -- for which refer to the photographs on My Page
That's my suggestion. What are yours please---naming the appropriate sites?  

Tags: Darwin, pilgrimages

Views: 265

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I might add that Charles Darwin's burial place is inside Westminster Abbey, London---quite near to Sir Isaac Newton. 

 

 

I take my overseas guests to the Natural History Museum because it all makes sense except for the souvenir shop. The bus journey makes it a kind of pilgrimage.

Are there any sites with strong association with G. B. Shaw, H. L. Mencken or Robert Ingersol? They deserve some “pilgrims” and gift shops.   The Jefferson Memorial would come close - I've always suspected that Jefferson was more of an Atheist than a Deist.

There is a tour, if not a pilgramage for "The Great Agnostic": Robert G. Ingersoll.  Ingersoll was a 19th Century champion of Freethought and famous orator and critic of religion. He toured the US and delivered over 1,300 speeches on this topic as well as  women's rights, civil rights, (and DC voting rights).

 

Ingersoll lived and worked in Washington, DC for 7 years working as a lawyer where he argued cases before the Supreme Court, lobbied Congress and consulted with Presidents.  He is buried across from DC in Arlington National Cemetery.

You can a link to a woalking tour on the blog on secular DC activities http://secularhumanist.blogspot.com/2011/04/earthy-scientific-and-t... and also

http://www.ingersoll.wash.org/pdf/ingersoll_tour.pdf

 

Gary Berg-Cross

That is excellent news.
That's great information - thanks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma%CA%BFarri

-epic blind rationalist, Id like to visit his statues sometime in the future

"There are two types of men, intelligent men without religion and religious men without intelligence.

Al-Maʿarri taught that religion was a "fable invented by the ancients", worthless except for those who exploit the credulous masses.

Do not suppose the statements of the prophets to be true; they are all fabrications. Men lived comfortably till they came and spoiled life. The sacred books are only such a set of idle tales as any age could have and indeed did actually produce.

-Believed that is was better to not bring children into the world if your area was ruled by religious people.

RSS

CONNECT WITH ATHEIST NEXUS

Latest Activity

Debra Stevenson replied to booklover's discussion Even More FB Finds...
"Loren, I'm only kidding. I'm just teasing.  But I do think Mickey Mouse is real, I've been to Disney World and it truly is  a magic kingdom.   Brandi Amari Willism"
7 minutes ago
Joan Denoo liked booklover's discussion Even More FB Finds...
15 minutes ago
Richard Haynes replied to Loren Miller's discussion Latest Activity?
"Hopefully, this stuff will be fixed soon. It is really causing some problems. Thanks for your patience. "
19 minutes ago
Loren Miller replied to booklover's discussion Even More FB Finds...
"Terrific ... I have a SWELL theme park I'd like to sell you, then.  Only problem is: it's a real Mickey Mouse operation...!"
21 minutes ago
Patricia commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"We do tend to stick with each other when nature decides to give us this invader to fight. Willingly or not, we are in a sort of club. Early detection is key, so let's go gals, you know what ya gotta do! "
25 minutes ago
The Flying Atheist commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
"Steph, in summer school are you going to be the student or the teacher?  What classes will you be involved with?"
29 minutes ago
Debra Stevenson replied to booklover's discussion Even More FB Finds...
"And I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet, the Book of Mormon is as true as the Jewish and Christian bilbes, Jesus is the Christ and the LDS church is Yahweh's only one and true religion on the face of the earth and there is nothing you…"
34 minutes ago
booklover replied to booklover's discussion Even More FB Finds...
"I did see that Matt!  Thanks for posting it!  Awesome woman to say that on National television! Esp. in what I assume is a very xtian town.  I no longer like Wolf Blitzer. I was thinking of that interview when I posted this last…"
38 minutes ago

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service