Features & Columns
Sunday Assembly atheist movement has a passionate, godless flock in Silicon Valley
White hipster Jesus has them on their feet, clapping and singing along to Katrina & the Waves. Behind him, a projector tells everyone why they're "walking on sunshine," even if there is no god.
It's all just a little much for Art Adams. He grew up Catholic, which meant mass five times a week at parochial school and back to church on Sunday. Kneel on cue, a dozen Hail Marys if he screwed up. But this service is in another world. Hipster Jesus, better known as Sanderson Jones, is the lead singer for this sermon, and Adams is getting into it.
"Before we kick off, give me a cheer if you know what Sunday Assembly is," Jones shouts at the nearly 200 people gathered this November morning in downtown San Jose's San Pedro Theater.
A resounding cheer.
"Give me a cheer if you don't!"
Just as many cheer.
"I love you guys," Jones exclaims. "I always love the people whothey've got no idea what it isbut they go, 'I'm still going there. I am a leisure time renegade.'"
For the next hour-and-a-half, the spiritual equivalent of a TEDx talk focuses on "new beginnings." This is Silicon Valley's first-ever Sunday Assembly, a church-like gathering of atheists. They bow their heads in silence to ponder the wonder of the universe. Ushers pass around a basket to collect donations. Afterwards, people stick around for another hour, sipping coffee and shaking hands.
To Adams, who became a godless heathen by the age of 12 yet still continued going to mass, the experience was more transcendent than church ever was.
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Features & Columns