Here's David Rattigan on the topic of how a non-theist can find meaning in the Easter narrative - I think the same probably holds true for Christianity in general. My experience is that there are many Christians (perhaps as high as 15%) who do not believe in God, but for whom their church and the Christian life form a vehicle through which they prefer to see the world (or in which they feel trapped - a somewhat sad, but common enough situation).
I'll go further. For too long Atheists and Agnostics have been excluded from the dialogues that shape Christianity as a religion. It is an evolutionary process, and we are shutting ourselves out of the memepool. As long-time readers of CJCA will know (both of you), there are at least some of us who feel that although Christianity (or any religion) is not "true" in the literal / scientific / historical sense, we remain human animals, with a need (or weakness for) an overarching narrative upon which to pin the various events and processes in our lives. For many people Christianity fulfils this purpose, even though it isn't "real". Similarly for others Islam or Judaism or Buddhism do the trick. But why should we non-theist Christians sit back and let the agenda be set by "believers"?
Should we not have the courage of our convictions - that Jesus died, the resurrection is a legend, that Christians got so much wrong, but that there is a core of a story here that tells us a little about us as a species or a society - and use those convictions to create space for a secular Christian Atheistic viewpoint? A viewpoint that is based on equality, on doing good for others, on promoting tolerance while encouraging open and frank debate?
OK, I'm rambling now, and the evening wine is kicking in, but as we emerge into Easter Sunday, perhaps it's time that Christian Atheism had its own little resurrection, and became seen as a player - albeit a small one - in the grand scheme of things. I'd appreciate any comments (as always!)...
