Can a non believer start his own church?

Question

I want to start my own church group. I been writing sermons for non believers. I went to a christain church and I just don't believe what they do. I want a voice. I met many liberals who don't go to church. I like the Unitarian Churches but I would like to do something on my own with my own flavor. I been inpired by some of Eminems lyrics and I like to do sermons mixed with poetry. I been telling a few friends what I'd like to do but they haven't showed interest yet. I would put my heart and soul into this if I believe in it. I have questioned the bible and it does no good for me to go to a God preaching church. I don't want to live a lie. I want to be free. I like people and want to share ideas with people I care about with no strings. What does a non believer do to become part of the community in a positive effective way, without living a lie?

Answer 1

Obviously you believe to some ideas and you want to share them. That makes you a believer in my view...

Anyway, I think you can start whatever you want, call it church if you want... But, why dont you start with an online community?

Answer 2

First Church of the Non Belief.

That would get interest. Having a dozen sermon concepts is a good start, but a big challenger is coming up with the weekly material. It can be a drain to constantly come up with something new and keep it fresh. If you start a church you also have to deal with a building, facilities, coffee and paying for it all.

If the goal is to express your ideas, why not consider being a sunday school teacher at a place that is consistent with your ideas. It will at least help you hone the oratory skills and put your on the track to writing the weekly sermon. You could also develop a folllwing.

Answer 3

Go for it. Congress shall make no laws inhibiting the practice of free speech and religion. I sense apprehension in your question, get off the fence one way or another.

Answer 4

> Can a non believer start his own church?

Sure. Jesus did, because he thought the Rabbis of His time didn't emphasize the love enough. He also thought what came out of your mouth (hateful words) was more important than what went into your mouth (pork). (I'm paraphrasing, badly). He didn't believe all of the laws in Judaism, so He started is own.

Getting people to come and listen to you would be the tough part.

Many (not all) Unitarian Universalist churches have lay people give the sermon at least part of the time. You could ask the minister of the ones near you if you could speak. A normal sermon is 2500 words. You might send a sample. You could become a member, too. That would let you share ideas. Most UUs are not Christian; if they were, they'd be at 1st Methodist, where the roof doesn't leak.

It takes 4 years to get ordained as a UU minister, if you have a bachelor's already.

On the other hand, the Universal Life Church (note they both have "Universal" in their name; that causes endless confusion) will ordain you for $5, by mail, as fast as the envelopes can travel. (Write if you want a link.) Once you are ordained, you need to register with the IRS and your state as a non-profit corporation, get whatever license your county requires, and rent a hall.

You might start from your home instead of from a hall. If you don't charge admission or take a collection, you could do it without any registration or permits. If no one came, you wouldn't be out any cash. If you got 10 people the first week, 100 the second and 1,000 the third, you'd know there was a need for your message. (I am exaggerating for humor, not being sarcastic.)

You can use craig's list and www.meetup.com to advertise your meeting. You could start a Blog, too.

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Added after:

I missed Roger G's answer on the first pass. He nailed it. Those 2500 words take up to 20 hours to write and revise. That's the average in our church; it comes out to about 20 - 25 minutes, depending on how many asides you make.

I give one lay sermon a year. 26 a year would be taxing, 52 impossible.

Answer 5

I would say go for it.  It would be better than a nonsense myth teaching church.

Answer 6

First off, I dont see what this has to do with the Biz section.  

Belief in God isn't like a biz biz if you know what I mean - Its serious for many Christians and the Bible does condemn people who try to ammend the Word of God.

Its not 'impossible' but others may find it riddiculous. Many people do weird stuff nowadays anyway.  But I personnally wouldn't follow something someone decided to change out of emotional state etc.