Bloomington was among 35 cities that launched so-called Sunday Assemblies this weekend. There are already 28 of the weekly gatherings established in cities around the world, including Indianapolis.
At the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington, about 60 people showed up.
Comedian Sanderson Jones founded Sunday Assembly in London last year. He calls it "a godless congregation that celebrates life."
Its motto is "live better, help often, wonder more."
This isn't the first non-religious group of its kind, even in Bloomington, but head organizer Jessika Griffin said its meant less for those aggressive towards religion, and more for those looking to interact with like-minded people.
"There's something to be said for having a place to go, where if you move you have 15 people at your doorstep helping you load your truck. If you're sick, having people bring you food," Griffin said. "Those are things that you just don't have access to without a church."
Ian Harris, a comedian from Los Angeles, hosted the Assembly. It was his 7th time.
He said he likes the unique communities the gatherings create, but that the paradoxical nature of a church for the non-religious has led to an interesting challenge.
"You know, if you were saying ‘Hey, I'm going to a party today and it's a bunch of non-conformist socially awkward people who don't like to talk to anybody,' you'd be like, ‘Wow, what a fun party to go to.' So that's a hard thing to do, but I think part of it is that there isn't anything like this. I think the more people come to these things, the less they will be that way," Harris said.
As difficult as it is to categorize the event, it does have structure. The group sang secular pop songs instead of hymns, there was a poetry reading, and in place of a traditional church sermon, two anthropology professors from Indiana University gave a short lesson on the evidence for evolution.
During one sing-along, to "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, the room sang the lyric "I feel it in my soul." Griffin smiled and pointed to her brain.
