Sunday Assembly Launches Melbourne Chapter

The first Australian chapter of Sunday Assembly, an organisation that congregates the godless for church-like activities, was launched today in South Melbourne.

The London-based organisation was started in January this year and Melbourne is its first international chapter.

Co-founder Pippa Evans, who was in town for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, oversaw the launch and said it was a success.

"The only fear is that no-one will show up, and 50 people did, so that's great," said Ms Evans.

"That's all it is: have a bit of fun, make a connection, job done," she said.

The event was attended by prominent Australian atheists, including Catherine Deveney, Lawrence Lueng, and Luke Ryan, who talked to the congregation about his battle with cancer.

Heading the group was chief organiser, Ms Kealey Nutt, who had collaborated with other volunteers via Twitter to organise the event.

"We sent the message out, people responded, we had a meeting and now we're here," Ms Nutt said.

"Pippa has been mentoring us through the way that they did it in London,” she said.

“Although I have a feeling that with each new one popping up they will take their own shape."

Ms Evans said the success of the London Sunday Assembly had piqued interest worldwide.

"There are people wanting to do it all over the world," she said.

"I was speaking to people in Los Angeles this morning and we have four now running in England."

Andrew Rawlings, co-founder of Progressive Atheists Inc., said he had concerns at how the new group would fit into the existing Melbourne atheist community.

"Well, I just hope it all compliments," Mr Rawlings said.

"We have a very homogenous community here," he said.

However Ms Evans said that Sunday Assembly had no intentions to clash with existing godless communities.

"Our job is not to dissimilate or disseminate, just to get people together to talk about something other than there being no god," she said.

This sentiment was echoed by organiser, Ms Nutt.

"It's just an opportunity for people to come together, and they don't really have to believe in anything particular," she said.

"It's really just location and time-based."

Most attendees seemed excited by the new group with the most popular activity being group singing.

The song list included 'I'm a Believer' by The Monkees and Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer'.

Attendee Sarah Moran said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the gathering.

"Come for the atheism, stay for the karaoke,” she said.