The Rise of Atheist Churches?

As religiously unaffiliated people become a larger and larger portion of the US population, scholars are noticing a rise in atheist/humanist/agnostic gatherings that mirror some of the characteristics of Christian churches (i.e. meeting on Sundays, participating in collective rituals such as singing). What can we learn about these gatherings? Can we call this a godless form of religiosity?

Full interviews:

This video was supported, in part, by Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion, funded by the Henry R. Luce Foundation and hosted by Northeastern University. They paid for my travel to Rice University.

Follow me on Twitter @andrewmarkhenry

[ReligionForBreakfast]

What do you think? Is "atheist church" inherently contradictory? Can we call this a form of religiosity or not?

[ryantheloser]

It's literally just an oxymoron in physical form.

[howardjamespatterson]

Attended a public lecture on atheism last year at our local library . Most sides of the issue had fair representation . Very interesting, the guest speaker was a christian minister that had proclaimed his atheism and retired after 30+years in the the service. There was a lot of emotionalism during the open mic question period . People on both sides of the issue proclaiming there personal views, life experiences, virtues, beliefs .Kind of expected cooler heads . Was surprised how thoughtful and open minded the younger crowd were .Listening to others perspectives on life was inspiring, revealing, thought provoking . Just hope people keep searching after they think they know it all .

[alexdiaz]

I already didn’t like singing at a church when I was a “christian” but as an agnostic, I’m thinking why have it at all? Like it was the most annoying part… anyone else agree?

[fawwazshah]

The problem with these types of institutions is that individuals will begin to gather around the leader of the community and I wonder if soon it will sort of become a cult. I suppose there needs to be a system of check and balances, leader rotations every number of years for example, to mitigate against the cult potential.

[Xenite]

This is super old, but honestly, this is my experience. I was looking for community, but also am not really interested in "religion". I joined a Unitarian "congregation" and it was just what I needed. Thank you for this academic conversation of atheism. I've learned a lot.

[christianweibrecht]

Would be great if this channel talked about how the Soviet Union and communist China tried to fill their subjects' "god hole" after outlawing religion

[LionheartedDan]

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”. PS 53:1

[AitorAxat]

Wasn't that already tried during the French Revolution? The Cult of Reason and all that, it didn't go very well...

[ratnasunil]

Not godless church, it's a fools church.
Psalm 14 1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

[dundermifflin]

I completely understand this. It's tough when you've just become an atheist and all you want to do sometimes is talk to other people about your ideas and why they seem more accurate than those ideas in churches. I just want to be around other people that are like me. I go to a Pentecostal church every Sunday and listen to preachers tell everyone they're going to hell and listen to people talk in tongues because it's my community. It is absolute torture listening to predominantly uneducated preachers bash atheism and agnosticism on stage and I can't do anything about it. My whole family goes there and my girlfriend goes there. She knows I don't believe and I have no clue why she didn't break up with me for it. She probably thinks I'll come crawling back one day but I really don't know.

[TheFrigginDevil]

Wait, are they finally admitting Atheism is a religion too?

[dansattah]

Could it be that the USA has relatively few clubs per capita?😊

In Eastern Germany, atheism remains high not only because of the Cold War's aftermath, but also because Germany has private "e.V." (eingetragener Verein > registered club) in nearly every village, town, and city.

[dalestaley]

I found most comments are rude and ignorant. I am disappointed that they are so arrogant.

[sagebias]

I predict that future religions will be based off new ideologies. Old religions will die out and communism, facism, liberalism, and gaia-worship will arise in new forms.

[gimeoden]

One religion offers total forgiveness, unconditional love and perfect salvation. Every other religion expects you to sacrifice something

[dorianphilotheates]

I tried founding an Atheist Church promulgating Theist ritual sacrifice but for some reason it just didn’t fly.

[msantti]

The word Religion comes from "religare" (re- "again" + ligare "to bind, to tie") – suggesting that religion is the bond that re-connects human beings with the divine. For this reason, you can't use the word Religion without a God/Divinity in the middle

[bens]

No need for a new church. I often go sit in whatever church is nearby just to close my eyes and take a step back from all the mundane worries. It's wonderful. And I can't stand organized religion.

[TechBearSeattle]

You may be interested in the growth of non-theist Quakers, who participate in Quaker worship (typically in Meetings affiliated with Friends General Conference or which are part of the unaffiliated liberal stream) and see the Testimonies as ethical statements rather than religious principles.