The Sunday Assembly: a weird idea, but a compelling one
When thinking about why churches thrive, understand that religion is far from the most important factor.
Did you see the recent story floating around on the growth of the “atheist megachurch,” the Sunday Assembly? I’m really interested in the concept. Churches have three main draws: religion, community and professional networking. The first of the three is probably the least important to the maintenance of most congregations and community is easily the most important. I’m keenly aware of my lack of a tribe here in my new city, so a community built around some of my values would definitely be worth exploring.
Still, the whole concept is a weird one, and one of my old profs, Dr. Stewart Hoover, explains why in a new post. And if anybody would know it would be him. Stewart is probably the world’s top authority on religion and media, and here he rather quickly gets to the nut of the issue.
lullaby pit 
OK, just to be fair, it wasn’t actually hazing as much as it was tribal insularity. We were trying to figure out if you were serious a couple of times. Once we decided you were (and smart and interesting) you were in. Now that didn’t mean we treated you nicely (I remember calling one of your positions “despicable.”) but it did mean we did (and do) take you seriously and respect your arguments.
When you first walk into a place people have no context for you. Once we got to know Frank a bit it became clear that we should interpret was he was saying in one way instead of another. I think people are probably routinely baffled by me, because I write here with the assumption that people has really me, whether they have or not. I say things that, if you don’t know me, probably make me seem like a complete bastard. Once you get to know me it becomes clear that I only a partial bastard.
read athiest guide to reality to see “secular humanism” completely skewered.