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Let Us Not Pray: Atheists to Hold a Service in Leeds Church [UK]
Yorkshire Evening Post ^ | 10/21/13 | Andreas Mullings

Posted on 10/22/2013 7:51:32 PM PDT by marshmallow

A godless church may seem to some as an oxymoron, but it has become a reality as the oldest church in Leeds opens its doors for an atheist congregation.

The Sunday Assembly Leeds is a non-profit organisation which has chosen to put away religion but still keep the traditions of song and sermons.

Originally starting in London last January it was created by two comedians, Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans.

After success in the capital they have now launched their movement worldwide in their ‘40 days and 40 nights tour’, which will be opening assemblies in the UK, including Leeds, Ireland, US, Canada and Australia. Michelle Beckett, 40 from Harrogate is one of the Leeds’ assembly organisers. She said: “We have had a huge response so far. We have already had over 100 people sign up for the assembly. We’d like to take all of the good bits out of church, and leave the religious stuff behind.

“It’s a shame that people who have no faith do not know the feeling of belonging that comes with religion, that’s why we are doing this.”

She added: “The structure is the same as church, you will have talks, songs and a sense of community. The London assemblies have now started to sprout charity works and community book groups.”

Without the use of religious hymns and a religious text, the group uses inspirational talks and pop songs, such as Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now and Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.

The congregation will start at St John the Evangelist church Tuesday, October 29 and people of any belief or background can join in. The congregation in Leeds will meet once a month after the initial launch, meeting every month on a Sunday.

St John the Evangelist Church is.....

(Excerpt) Read more at yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Religion & Culture; Skeptics/Seekers
KEYWORDS: atheism; atheists
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To: Tax-chick; moose07; NoCmpromiz
Youse guys are making me *blush*
21 posted on 10/23/2013 7:16:25 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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To: Tax-chick; null and void

President! I said, “Nully for President!”

Not dictator of the English-speaking world!

WHAT HAVE I DONE????


22 posted on 10/23/2013 12:05:04 PM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: TheOldLady; Tax-chick; null and void
WHAT HAVE I DONE????

The Law of Unintended Consequences...

23 posted on 10/23/2013 12:38:50 PM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: TheOldLady; NoCmpromiz

Just took a good idea and made it better.


24 posted on 10/23/2013 12:49:36 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("The heart of the matter is God's love. It always has been. It always will be."~Abp. Chaput)
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To: Tax-chick; Mastador1; null and void; moose07; TheOldLady; Monkey Face

25 posted on 10/23/2013 12:59:56 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (In partibus infidelium.)
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To: Tax-chick; null and void

Oh, very well. I do think the world of Nully.


26 posted on 10/23/2013 2:29:32 PM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: TheOldLady; null and void
I do think the world of Nully.

Only the English-speaking world, though. Nobody's proposed making him Tzar of Russia yet.

27 posted on 10/23/2013 2:40:13 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("The heart of the matter is God's love. It always has been. It always will be."~Abp. Chaput)
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To: Mrs. Don-o

Excellent! I have two large format books of Gahan Wilson cartoons, they are always a treat, in a twisted way.


28 posted on 10/23/2013 4:00:46 PM PDT by Mastador1 (I'll take a bad dog over a good politician any day!)
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To: Tax-chick

Tsar of Russia? Aren’t we 96 years late for that? ;-)


29 posted on 10/23/2013 4:47:33 PM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: TheOldLady; Tax-chick
Tsar of Russia? Aren’t we 96 years late for that? ;-)

Just call Oglooma the _Resident. I hear he makes Tsars (and lots of 'em)...

30 posted on 10/23/2013 5:58:35 PM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

That’s another hot button issue.

One petit tyrant in the president’s chair is more than enough, thank you very much.

We need to outlaw Czars in the FedGov.

And Tsars too, for that matter. ;-)


31 posted on 10/23/2013 6:20:16 PM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: posterchild

Exactly, an Olestra Mass at St. O’Doul’s. If they just went to a bar they would surely meet more interesting people.

Freegards


32 posted on 10/23/2013 6:31:09 PM PDT by Ransomed
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To: Ransomed

Like Olestra it would probably pass right through the attendees with no lasting impact.


33 posted on 10/23/2013 6:57:23 PM PDT by posterchild
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