Madison chapter promotes church for atheists

[rug]

7:24 a.m. CDT August 4, 2014

MADISON — A movement aimed at providing atheists a chance to experience the fellowship of church without all the religious trappings is coming to Madison.

Sunday Assembly Madison, the local chapter of an organization that began in London 18 months ago, will hold its first service next month, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday.

One of the local organizers is Naomi Kroth, a 30-year-old Madison native who loved everything about the Christian church of her childhood — well, everything but the God talk. She stopped attending, but felt that something was lacking.

"I've always missed going to church — the singing, the sermon, the volunteerism, the community," Kroth said. "But I couldn't reconcile that with my views on religion."

http://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2014/08/04/madison-church-atheist/13564409/

I wonder how far that is from the FFRF.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Reinventing Unitarianism?

I suppose the major difference is that the Unitarians don't REQUIRE atheism. However, atheism/agnosticism is the dominant orientation of most UU'ers.

[elleng]

2. Maybe, but

my good friend is active in his UU congregation, and he is not athiest, in fact is Muslim (tho not active as such.)

[Jackpine Radical]

3. As I said, atheism isn't a REQUIREMENT to be a UUer.

In fact, there are none in particular beyond a few principles having to do with respecting human dignity, supporting open inquiry, etc.

I used to know a guy who attended synagogue on Saturday & UU on Sunday.

[elleng]

4. RIght, few 'requirements.'

Last edited Mon Aug 4, 2014, 10:17 PM - Edit history (1)

My friend doesn't kill insects! and spends a lot of time with his UU's social justice stuff.

[cbayer]

7. My experience of U/U is that they embrace many religions and no religion.

I'm not sure that these new organizations are really going to do that.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Your report of your experience is correct.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. Waste 'o time.

[cbayer]

6. I think it's great that this is available for those that want it.

The community offered by churches, et al. is often hard to find in other forms. To offer those things without religion is a good thing.