Every 12 months, extra Americans are stepping away from organized faith. According to a 2024 Pew Research research, over 1 in 4 now determine as spiritual “nones,” that means they don’t affiliate with any faith. Despite this shift, many are nonetheless looking for the sense of community that spiritual gatherings usually present.
CBS Mornings’ sequence, The State of Spirituality with Lisa Ling, delves into numerous paths to religion, spirituality, and faith in the U.S. One latest phase highlights an often-overlooked group: non-believers.
At first look, a Sunday Assembly service may resemble a up to date church gathering, however there is a distinct distinction—Sunday Assembly is completely secular, with most attendees figuring out as atheists. For Ryan Trout, Amy Boyle, and Sam Renderos, all leaders at Sunday Assembly Los Angeles, the gathering gives a much-needed sense of community.
“Sunday Assembly is like family to me,” says Boyle. Trout echoes the sentiment, noting that it’s a spot the place atheists can discover the community that’s usually lacking in secular life. Renderos provides, “I may reject supernatural ideas, but I still crave human connection—and that’s what I’ve found here.”
According to Pew Research, almost 30% of American adults are religiously unaffiliated, many figuring out as atheists or agnostics. Renderos explains that whereas he does not consider in God, the sense of belonging that Sunday Assembly presents is invaluable. The gatherings comply with a well-known construction, together with TED Talk-style displays, sing-alongs, and private storytelling—parts which may really feel church-like however are completely secular.
The Origins of Sunday Assembly
Sunday Assembly was based in 2013 by two comedians in the UK and has since grown to about 60 chapters worldwide, together with in U.S. cities like Atlanta and Nashville. Boyle explains that whereas they don’t apply faith, there’s scientific proof that gathering and singing collectively releases endorphins, creating a way of unity.
However, Sunday Assembly’s construction isn’t for everybody. Boyle factors out that some individuals expertise “religious trauma,” which might make the meeting format uncomfortable. Trout acknowledges that whereas some keep away from the month-to-month gatherings, they nonetheless take part in sport nights and guide golf equipment, remaining an integral a part of the community.
Though most attendees are atheists, Sunday Assembly welcomes all, together with individuals of religion like Trout. Raised as a Baptist in Kentucky, Trout left his church because of its exclusionary views however nonetheless feels drawn to sure rituals. He identifies as an “agnostic Episcopalian” and is engaged on creating secular traditions for Sunday Assembly.
The Role of Spirituality
Varun Soni, the dean of spiritual life on the University of Southern California, says spirituality helps present that means, whether or not in spiritual or secular contexts. “Questions like ‘What does my life mean?’ and ‘What matters to me?’ are spiritual questions we all ask, regardless of religious belief,” Soni explains.
He provides that many atheists and humanists lead deeply non secular lives, motivated by the idea that people have the potential to do good in the world. This concept is central to Sunday Assembly’s motto: “Live better, help often, and wonder more.”
Boyle sums it up: “We don’t need religion to tell us to be good. Our morality comes from ourselves and our connections with each other.” Renderos agrees, saying, “This is the one life we have, so we should celebrate it together for as long as we can.”
