In England they have museums of natural history housed in old Victorian buildings. They look and feel a bit like old cathedrals... but instead of for blowing smoke up your ass, they are for science.

There is something about this idea that talks to me. We have no churches for skeptics. There is no institution to go to in times of a need for perspective. Like say when someone is born, marries, gets ill or dies.

In the catholic community the priest is the guy you goto for questions about everyday life. You don't like you're job? You have marital problems? You go to the priest. He gives you advise based on his doctrine.

But if I'd like to ask a hardcore naturalist/skeptics about something, and I don't know one. Where would I go?

There should be an institution, a collection of old wise men and women.

-dR

They're around. I listen to the The Skeptics Guide to the Universe. Some of the people in this group are also part of the New England Skeptical Society, so I know there are IRL groups. The Skeptics Guide has forums, so that might be a way to find others. I don't know much about it, but there is a Skeptic magazine. I would think that spending time at any of these links (if you haven't already) would lead to what it is you're looking for.