Houston Oasis Interview

As religiously unaffiliated people become a larger and larger portion of the US population, we are noticing a rise in atheist/humanist/agnostic gatherings that mirror some of the characteristics of Christian churches (i.e. meeting on Sundays, participating in collective rituals such as singing). What can we learn about these gatherings? Can we call this a godless form of religiosity?
Full interviews:
Anthony Pinn: • Churches for the Godle...
This video was supported, in part, by Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion, funded by the Henry R. Luce Foundation and hosted by Northeastern University. They paid for my travel to Rice University.
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[@artietrasshko7141]

The existence of an organization like Houston Oasis is truly amazing. I’ve been an atheist in the Houston area for a long time now, and the constant presence of Christianity and churches has had me wanting a sense of the same community. It’s very isolating being an atheist in the Bible Belt, as I feel that I’ve been missing out on the communal benefits and relationships that come from church going.

[@77XTINA]

What's the Bible Belt?

[@EricMallet-ACS]

I am not an athiest, I am a Christian, and this video was refreshing and encouraging. Hearing people seeking relationship and belongingness. Good video.

[@claires9100]

In Baton Rouge, we meet in a big room in the public library. We sometimes have outsise speakers come and speak on scientific topics. Oasis is a good name good for you Houston!

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

A lot like the Unitarian church we visited. Having visited black churches its the music that we loved! I agree with her on the need to feel part of a community.

[@jaroslavpolak]

Such a different culture! I'm from the Czech Republic and we have about 90% Nones. To be Christian in my country is maybe the same weird situation as to be an atheist in Texas! I'm a liberal mainline protestant and I've to say that I have much more sympathies for Houston Oasis than those "stink eye" Christians she talked about.

[@77XTINA]

What do you mean by mainline protestant?

[@sgtstull]

This was a really great interview, I was completely engrossed. Thank you for organizing this and sharing it.

[@MadHatter42]

I had no idea this organization existed, but I will definitely be checking out my local Kansas City chapter soon! I agree that people need a community with, if not a spiritual, then certainly a poetical kind of belonging to feel and learn and grow together. Just because we don’t believe in Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t need to feel loved too!

[@teaburg]

The idea of Oasis needs to spread far and wide.

[@filipepinho6205]

why there isn´t anything special in that. Church already do that

[@davidbroughall3782]

I'm very glad I live in a country (Canada) where there's no need for a secular "oasis". The religious and non-religious don't really trouble each other very much. It's live and let live. Our identities aren't wrapped up in whether or not we believe, and conversations about religion are usually good humored.

[@iannewton3820]

Here in secular Canada, as a religious person, I feel similar to how her husband feels only the social norm is against mentioning Christianity in a place of work.

[@GraemeMarkNI]

I like it when she laughs at the end of sentences 🙂 I had other comments, but she answered them all after I wrote them 😉

[@Firmus777]

It is interesting how there are even communal meals with the coffee breaks. And they are pretty important, it would seem. And they feature a mind altering substance.

[@MarK-ro3vl]

This might be something I didn't know I needed.

[@77XTINA]

Ultimately, the need for a community is a biological function. The human species is a social animal and through our cultural evolution we've lost touch with one of our most basic needs; sociality. We are indeed still social, but the way and amount we socialise has decreased and changed dramatically. I live in Melbourne, Australia with a population of 5 million, and I can say for certain that most people don't know their neighbours (50/50). People are friendly to one another for sure, but most of the time there is no genuine connection taking place. Which is one of the main ingredients for communities. It is no surprise to me at all that theistic believers feel full (a sense of belonging) from their communities, and in the same notion that non-theistic individuals crave the same sense of being a part of a group. Not only is it against our grain to be isolated, it is in our nature to be a part of groups.

[@angiepoo4839]

Great interview.

[@Thessalin]

But what about Religion for Third Breakfast? (Haha, I'm just a riot ain't I? Anyhow, the idea of spirituality without a deity is such an interesting view. I've been thinking about it for several years. I write short stories/books, and most of my short stories are about twisting around such ideas. One that just makes me have a 1000 yard stare is the idea of everyone having a soul, there is an afterlife, but there is no god/gods/deity at all. What an interesting concept. Imagine showing up and Jesus being all, "Yup, sorry. Nothing here. So how about a nice game of squash?")

[@IkariLoona]

Isn't that pretty much buddhism? Growing up in a mostly christian country it may be tricky to detach from the idea of a spiritual hierarchy (like God at the top, with the likes of Jesus, angels and saints further down the line), since parallels to such hierarchies are seen all over society - polytheism seems a bit more democratic on concept (different experts for different subjects and managing how all that interacts and all that), but it seems too distant in time and geography as far as culture context goes. Maybe the idea of everyone's spiritual essence being somewhat equivalent, but the material conditions not always matching that equivalence makes it harder to conceive, but it still sounds like a healthy mindset to carry through life.

[@murielbarry3766]

It's just a club for like minded people who don't want to go to church, so this is their excuse. Nothing wrong with that.

[@TeeTee-bz3pv]

Come to DC

[@carolinelabbott2451]

Human beings are social creatures. Humans formed communities long before humans formed religion. Religion took many of the characteristics of none religious communities and added it to Religion. ( There you go, your description tag is now correct. You are most welcome. ) So considering the question of can none religious communities be called godless religiosity? The answer is clearly and resoundly, No. Because it is an absurd question to being with, considering the above information earlier about human social need for community. Religion is separate from community. But Religion can and does so take characteristics of community to add to itself.

[@stevenfairless4931]

I'm an expat stuck in godless New England, the birthplace of freedom, where the struggle from denominationalism, in the 1740's, was often physical but mostly community ... if you were the wrong denomination you were not part of the community. My oasis is an independent Bible church in a military community where families from all over the states find like minded friends. Overt expression of Christianity makes this godless New England community uncomfortable, so I enjoy my visits home where it's part of the culture. I find Texas a very friendly, and live and let live place, where "Aint that sweet" is the common condemnation. "Oasis" is enjoying the nice culture of Texas, aint that sweet. Anyone can see the repercussions of a long term godless society, where controlling that culture costs families a greater portion of their sustenance. Here is our common foundation for a prosperous culture; Freedom, Marriage, Family, and Local Government, a synergistic matrix, which is under constant attack by godless autocrats, Why ? Godless freedom is the West ... Eastern autocrats are commanding morality. I will raise my family in godly freedom and strive for community where everyone can find an oasis.

[@HelloWorldGoodbye]

I would attend, even tho I’m not an atheist. I can’t wrap my head around being an atheist, it’s kind of comical to me. Like, the universe happened by accident?

[@kingmj87]

My only question is do they have to pay taxes?

[@jonnywatts2970]

Man it sounds like AA.

[@th3ist]

what guides their approach to shame i wonder? christianity has sin. i guess they'd say civil and criminal law?

[@SnorriGylfasonGoi]

I'm surprice

[@daniloordanza7012]

The world wontherful thinkers atheist group.

[@wethepeoplegh]

So what you guys have is a social club 🤣

[@angiepoo4839]

Without the imaginary friend(s). 😉

[@joeyalwyn1000]

Satan has got you

[@wethepeoplegh]

Stealing from the church I see 🤣

[@myhebrewroots4478]

Trying to make meaning out of meaningless unbelief? What a joke.