This is a weekly meetup for anyone interested in participating in Peter Rollins' seven-week dialogue about atheism, theology, and philosophy in a group setting. To find the readings, you can either support Peter Rollins on Patreon here or sign up for the course here! We hope you’ll join us on Sundays for these conversations and follow along during Lent!
What to Expect from Peter Rollins' course: You’ll get access to articles, podcasts, book excerpts, and videos - one for every day of Lent. These will introduce you to many of the greatest critiques of religion, from some of the most creative, intelligent and insightful thinkers our world has ever produced. In addition to this, each Sunday I'll provide a talk that you can watch live or later (they'll be available in audio and video format).
More information: In the contemporary world, atheism is almost invariably viewed as opposed to the work and world of theology. At best they barely tolerate each other, while at worst they wage war.
This popular view could be said to be partially responsible for the current state of both. The former having largely been reduced to an adolescent cry on behalf of a crude positivism; the latter languishing in the basement of academic institutions as a discipline with as much insight and credibility as astrology.
Thankfully there have always been individuals who’ve grasped the profoundly theological dimension of atheism. Individuals who see the removal of atheism from theology as detrimental, not only to intellectual life but to the task of personal and political transformation. In recent years we only need think of people like Tillich, Bloch, Bonhoeffer, Weil, and Heidegger and Zizek.
Whether you identify as a theist, an atheist, agnostic or ignostic, Atheism for Lent provides a space for you to delve headfirst into the true theological expanse that is atheism. Submerging yourself in its life-giving, nourishing waters. By exploring atheism as a profane practice of theological purification, we will uncover its priestly power of exorcism. An exorcism powerful enough to cast out the religious dogmatism and festering fundamentalism that can lurk within our souls.
What to bring: Bring an open mind and the expectation for a kind dialogue with a diverse group about important theological issues. If you're taking notes or creating art at home each week, bring your notes, questions, and ideas to share with the group.
