Sunday Assembly claims UK’s first atheist congregation evicted from church by moralistic Christians

[rug]

Thursday, April 25, 2013
9:56 AM
by Emma Bartholomew, Senior Reporter

The pastor of Britain’s first atheist church, the Sunday Assembly, has claimed his congregation has been kicked out of the church they were using to worship by “moralistic” Christians.

The Sunday Assembly has garnered worldwide attention since comedians Sanderson Jones, from Upper Clapton and Pippa Evans from Stockwell launched it in January to celebrate the wonder of life.

With a tag line “live better, help often, wonder more”, tracks like Bill Withers’ Lean on Me have replaced hymns, and the concept has proved so popular a morning and afternoon service had to be held in St Paul’s Church deconsecrated Nave, which has a capacity of 200.

Although the Sunday Assembly was searching for larger premises, Mr Jones arranged to use the Steiner School building in Balls Pond Road, which trustees lease from the Church of England, one last time for their monthly meeting in May.

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/sunday_assembly_pastor_claims_uk_s_first_atheist_congregation_evicted_from_church_by_moralistic_christians_1_2167487

[Jim__]

1. Sounds like something of a he said / he said.

Jones said:

“We’ve always heard there’s a small but vocal minority within the school who think we are up to no good.

Bridgewood said:

“The Sunday Assembly is regularly drawing crowds of up to 500 people, if we go beyond capacity we could be held in breach of health and safety law and we would be in very serious trouble”

Nothing in the article helps us to decide who's right.

[rug]

2. Yes, more information would be good.

In any event, it will still take place.

Mr Jones wants to spread the word the Sunday Assembly service on May 5 will be in the British Humanist Society’s Conway Hall in Holborn.

[struggle4progress]

3. ... Mr Bridgewood said ... health and safety reasons were behind the decision ... “We do wish

Sanderson well, he’s tapped into something worldwide with people who want a sense of community, we are living in an age of technology and speed and image and it shows people just want to talk and get together and have a sing song” ...
Sunday Assembly pastor claims UK’s first atheist congregation evicted from church by moralistic Christians
by Emma Bartholomew
Thursday, April 25, 2013
9:56 AM
http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/sunday_assembly_pastor_claims_uk_s_first_atheist_congregation_evicted_from_church_by_moralistic_christians_1_2167487