The rise of "atheist churches" is an oxymoronic fact in our culture. One of the fastest-growing is in London. Its leader asks, "Why is it that people who are atheists get married in a church?" He then answers his question: "There is just something about these places, it's a place of worship, where people have gone for more than 400 years and it's the sort of place where your heart can rise up to those inspired things which is great."
We might expect "atheist churches" in England, where Christianity has been in decline for decades. But what about Houston, Texas, arguably the "buckle of the Bible belt"? A group called Houston Oasis describes itself as "a community grounded in reason, celebrating the human experience." The group was founded by Mike Aus, a onetime Lutheran pastor who is now an atheist. He states, "We are open to any message about life as long as no dogmatic claims are made." However, Houston Oasis's website makes six such dogmatic claims. The first: "People are more important than beliefs." Is this a belief?
Dallas is home to several such "churches" as well. One seeks "to offer atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and freethinkers all the educational, inspirational, and social and emotional benefits of traditional faith-based churches" but without God.
What can Christians learn from the growth of atheist churches? Even those who deny the existence of God (on the surface at least) acknowledge the need for and benefits of being part of a community. Even doubters want company in their denying! I suggest we view this positively and correspondingly strengthen the loving community we experience in our churches, while actively and enthusiastically worshipping the one true living God.
(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)
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