Sunday gathering held by atheist groups may provoke some interesting questions to Catholic and Christians. The Religion News Service reports on Houston Oasis and other similar non-worship services.
What questions might we ask?
What questions might we ask?
- What makes our gatherings Christian? Is our Christian identity making a fundamental difference, or are we just a social club (that may provide some charitable services)?
- Are the atheists "out-discipling" us by their focus on making a difference in daily life?
From the article:
Houston Oasis is part of a growing trend. Atheists and other nonbelievers have long gathered for events with meaning and music, but in the last year, a number of nontheistic groups have initiated Sunday morning events that include elements of a standard church service.
...
Chris Stedman, author of “Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious,” said the Harvard Humanist Community, where he is an assistant chaplain, has begun to incorporate more churchlike elements in its Sunday gatherings at the request of attendees, including reflections and inspirational readings.
“There is a lot to be gained by looking at the forms of religion and in the ways that people make meaning and assemble a community,” Stedman said. “As a movement, I think we will struggle to appeal to people who are leaving religion if we cannot offer them the structures that religion has offered them. People need to come together and talk about meaning and value.”
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