But the latest phenomenon in contrasts is the rising new mega-church. The Atheist Church. You heard me right. A church for atheists. I know that sounds like an oxymoron. "So-called "atheist churches" are popping up all over the country and
attracting a growing number of people who have left their faith but miss
the camaraderie of a congregation. The gatherings are now gaining steam in the U.S. after finding success
in Great Britain earlier this year, according to The Associated Press.
And the movement fueled by social media and spearheaded by two prominent
British comedians is no joke." Source: NewsMax
I guess it was bound to happen; a church without God; a church without the Bible; a church where they do not sing hymns. Pew researchers stressed, however, that the category also encompassed
majorities of people who said they believed in God but had no ties with
organized religion and people who consider themselves "spiritual" but
not "religious." They call their gatherings "Sunday Assemblies." Sunday Assembly — whose motto is Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More —
taps into that universe of people who left their faith but now miss the
community church provided.
Hundreds packed in for more than an hour of rousing music, an
inspirational sermon, a reading and some quiet reflection. The only
thing missing is God. "The idea that you're building an entire organization based on what
you don't believe, to me, sounds like an offense against sensibility,"
said Michael Luciano, a self-described atheist who was raised Roman
Catholic but left when he became disillusioned. "There's something not OK with appropriating all of this religious language, imagery and ritual for atheism." Source
