I am not religious and have no desire to start being now but sometimes I just want the community people get with church. I am craving connection with the community and feel it’s very healthy for families and neighbors as well. The United States is seriously lacking in third spaces and communities. It’s leading to a serious loneliness epidemic… Just wondering if there is anything that can fill that need for non-religious folks?
Where I live, pretty rural mountain county, we’ve got like 5 run clubs, 8 mountain bike clubs, 3 ski clubs, a weekly triathlon when it’s warmer out, and just a ton of other community events. Getting in shape is a lot more fun when you have friends that will encourage you. All you have to do is show up consistently.
Run club got me through some very lonely depressed times.