Atheists are starting their own churches! They are singing songs, listening to
inspiring talks, volunteering to help others, meeting people, and, it seems,
having a good time. The “Sunday
Assembly” movement, started in England by two comedians, Sanderson Jones and
Pippa Evans, has come to the United States, with Assemblies being held in Los
Angeles, San Diego, Nashville, New York, and other cities.
Well, I’m glad they’re doing worthwhile things, but I wonder
why they feel they have to have a church to do them.
What needs are these churches filling?
The members may say they want to be with likeminded individuals
in their struggle to evolve into the best people they can be. But why do they need an organized group to do
that?
Is there some inner need in everyone to be part of a
group? One of the great things about
being a Christian is the opportunity to be part of a Christian community. And though Episcopal services may seem
subdued, there is great joy. And if
liturgy isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great churches to choose
from.
It seems that atheists feel left out. Christians wear crosses, Jews wear stars of
David, atheists wear necklaces with charms that say “Godfree.” Christians put “Jesus fish” on their cars;
atheists have a cute animal that looks a bit like a hedgehog that says
“evolve.”
I wonder when it’s going to occur to them that they are
doing these things in the name of refusing and denial. What are they going do when their
relationship with the person they met at Sunday Assembly breaks up? What are they going to do when the problems
that come with anything that is organized crop up? At least organized religion has faith to fall
back on when the boiler breaks down or the organist and choir director are
feuding.
The people flocking to Sunday Assemblies have discovered
that they need community. Perhaps as
they develop their services, they will discover their need for ritual. Perhaps in their discussions, they will start
to wonder if there isn’t something beyond this world and humans and start to
think, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were?”
Maybe this makes me a candidate for Annoying Believer of the
Week or Person Who Gives Christians a Bad Name.
To any atheists reading this: I’m
just offering some ideas. Enjoy them.
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