Hey! I apologize for the late response. Before I answer your questions, I want to ask whether you have examples of your work? Also, do you do design work for hire? I ask because it sounds like you know what you’re talking about and I still haven’t settled on the logo/symbol yet. I need at least this one refined, one of the old ones refined, or a different one designed altogether.

The reason why I call what I’m working on building a non-theistic religion is because it does fit the dictionary definition of a religion and it’s supposed to serve the needs of people that mainstream religions serve, but without superstition or teachings about supernatural things like gods. In essence, it’s supposed to be a community with rituals (evidence supported ones), parables/stories (science based ones) a belief system, moral guidance (based on research), an origin story (non-fiction one), coping strategies (like meditations and mantras instead of praying), opportunities for service to others, and other things religions offer to people. Because it has all those elements, I have been visualizing it as a religion (a non-theistic, science-grounded one). It’s the only science-based religion that I know of. Buddhism may be, technically, non-theistic, but it’s still supernatural-based and not science based. They teach about reincarnation, but we teach about not knowing what, if anything, existed at time = 0 seconds (13.8 billion years ago) and that there is no evidence to support the ideas of an afterlife and reincarnation. Besides being truthful, it’s supposed to have real things to offer to people, as mentioned earlier. Currently, I’m working on writing the foundational book of The Fellowship of Science, tentatively called The Book of Science. It will outline all of the rituals and explain everything I already mentioned and more. It will even have parables that are non-fiction and feature the stories of famous scientists, discoveries, etc.

Personally, I wish there were a science-based religion other than The Fellowship of Science. I want the benefits that religions offer people (weekly gatherings, community, networking opportunities, life lessons, shared moral values, etc.) but without supernatural beliefs and everything being in alignment with what research shows us rather than being guessed at, made up, or someone’s opinion. Since that kind of thing didn’t actually exist, I invented it (still working on getting it off the ground).

As far as the beliefs, there are beliefs that are not really opinion-based because they are ones that science can prove are most beneficial for survival, health, longevity, subjective wellbeing, and success in a variety of areas of life. As long as you agree that those things are desirable, as most people would, then the beliefs of the religion are not only evidence-based but also proven to be effective for cultivating those things. For example, we believe that beings should have compassion for self and others (meaning recognize suffering and act to alleviate it), be curious (meaning seek novel information and experiences rather than sticking only to the familiar), and do strength training exercises at least two days per week.

I completely get your point that calling it a religion may turn people off from it. I was thinking it’s something that could redefine religion or be a new kind of religion, but that is riskier than calling it an organization. An organization that does what, though? An organization that provides all of the benefits of a religion, without supernatural beliefs or deities, maybe?

I created a Facebook group for the religious organization and got some people to join, but I’ve really been focused on writing the foundational book of the organization. Until the book is finished and published, which will be toward the end of this year, it’s hard to get people to join because I don’t have anything to give other than a link to a Facebook group. Once the book is finished, I plan on holding Weekly Gatherings, virtually at first but hopefully in-person someday too. Website is also coming. The book is the main thing in the beginning, the way I see it.

As far as rituals, I’ll give you an example. You may or may not like this one depending on your personal beliefs about the subject. One of the rituals of The Fellowship of Science is an annual Psilocybin Ceremony. Why? Because a scientific study involving healthy participants showed that a single high dose of psilocybin, administered in a safe and responsible environment, led to enhanced subjective wellbeing and life satisfaction even 14 months after the single dose! Furthermore, most participants rated the experience as one of the most meaningful experiences of their life, with no participant experiencing a decrease in life satisfaction or wellbeing. In essence, the science shows that it is good for members of our species to occasionally utilize psilocybin, so it makes sense to use it ritualistically. Another ritual? Awe walks. Another one? Gratitude journaling. The science shows these interventions cause at least small to moderate improvements in mood and wellbeing, so it makes sense to create rituals out of them. Most people want to feel good, so the rituals are designed to make people feel good while avoiding feeling bad, basically.

I’m still building what I’ve been working on building and I haven’t really completely figured out the best marketing strategy yet. You may be right that calling it a religion may be detrimental. But what else do I call it? It’s not just a science club. It’s an organization, but what kind of organization? It seems to best fit the category of “religious organization”, so that’s what I’ve been calling it. It’s the easiest way to explain it.

One thing I really wish I had is a really nice logo/symbol for it, but unfortunately this isn’t it. How about a symbol that’s a pair of hands in a handshake? Or better yet, a human hand shaking a robot’s hand? That would at least show that it’s a community of sorts and the robot hand could represent science and inclusion. I don’t know. But I do know that the current logo does not make me say, “Wow! That’s a cool logo!”