What happens when people can ask life’s big questions without being expected to arrive at a particular answer?

That is the idea behind Agnostics Anonymous, a new gathering that recently got under way upstairs at Brew on Front Street, offering what its organiser Martin Fair, describes as a welcoming, neutral space for people to explore questions of faith, doubt, identity, purpose, and meaning.

The first gathering was held on Thursday, October 29. While Mr Fair, the Minister of Christ Church Warwick, is still deciding how often the group will meet, the hope is that it will become an ongoing space for conversation.

The idea grew, in part, from conversations that Mr Fair has had with people who don't necessarily identify as atheist or religious, but find themselves somewhere in between.

“I have good friends who are fully signed-up atheists. It doesn't stop us getting on well, though we openly acknowledge our different outlooks,” Mr Fair said. “But in the big scheme of things, it’s much more common for me to find that people come into the category of ‘not sures’.”

He described people who say things such as, “I believe in something,” “I think there's something out there,” or “There has to be more to life than this.”

“In other words, they're not closed off to the idea that there might be a God but aren't convinced one way or the other,” he said. “There are others too who have said to me, ‘I wish I had a faith …’ More and more, it has struck me that it would be great to be able to talk about such matters, that there might be greater understanding.”

The name Agnostics Anonymous came from another kind of gathering altogether.

“Among the best gatherings I've ever known have been Alcoholics Anonymous groups, wonderfully honest and supportive,” Mr Fair said. “I began to wonder … what if there was an Agnostics Anonymous gathering? And as soon as I mention it, there's a knowing smile; people get the reference.”

While the new group will not follow the traditional Alcoholics Anonymous format, Mr Fair hopes the name captures the spirit of open, honest sharing.

The gathering is not restricted to people who identify specifically as agnostic.

“Anyone can come along, people who have questions, people who are curious, people who are uncertain, people who say they are spiritual and those who don't relate to that word at all,” Mr Fair said.

And the questions can be as broad as the people who bring them.

“At one time or another, most of us find ourselves with questions such as ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ These are deeply personal questions wrapped up in issues of identity and purpose,” Mr Fair said.

“But beyond these, any one of us can find ourselves looking at the world and wondering, ‘Why is it in such a mess?’ And leading on from that, some are caused to ask, ‘If there is a God, or gods, why does God allow evil and suffering to thrive?’ So there's the tip of the iceberg, but no conversations are out of order, and I'll be intrigued to find out where it might go.”

That willingness to begin with questions, rather than answers, is central to the concept.

“I've been part of groups which are built around answers, even though no one asked the participants, ‘What are your questions?’” Fair said. “Agnostics Anonymous is going to begin with questions. But beyond that, it's going to avoid neatly packaged ‘book answers’. Life is deeper than those kinds of answers allow for.”

He recalled coming across a book entitled All Your Questions About God Answered.

“The book was less than 100 pages long!” he said. “Some people might be satisfied by short, simplistic answers, but many others aren't.”

For Fair, this kind of conversation is particularly relevant in places like Bermuda, which have traditionally been described as Christian communities.

“There are lots of countries, not least the UK where I come from, and Bermuda, which I'm privileged now to call home, which are traditionally referred to as ‘Christian countries’,” he said. “But the world has changed and is changing still, and more and more people, even in these countries, find themselves with questions and doubts and are less sure now about calling themselves ‘Christian’.”

Even among those who continue to use the description, he believes its meaning has changed.

“I meet people very regularly who say, ‘I used to go to church …’”

So why don't people talk more openly about these questions?

Fair points to changing assumptions about belief, particularly among younger generations.

“In some parts of society, though much less so than once would have been the case, there are still assumptions in place regarding the prevalent beliefs and practices,” he said. “And yet scratch below the surface and many of those assumptions no longer hold. Particularly among younger people.”

He recalled his experience as a youth pastor more than 30 years ago, when a Saturday night youth group at Christ Church Warwick had more than 100 teenagers.

“On an average Sunday now, there are no teenagers in our church, and many other churches have seen similar trends,” he said. “What has changed?”

Mr Fair does not present himself as someone who has resolved all of these questions. In fact, he sees his own unanswered questions as part of the conversation.

“It would be somewhat odd if a person never found themselves asking big questions,” he said. “For myself, I'm sure I'll always struggle with what is referred to as unanswered prayer.

“At times, I and others have prayed our hearts out for someone or some situation, and it's been as if our prayers have bounced off the ceiling. I've read the books, I know the neat answers, but I'm going to keep on asking God … why? And why not?”

That openness also shows up in what participants can expect from the gatherings.

“A free coffee on me, and a pastry or snack!” Mr Fair said. “Beyond that, a welcoming, safe space. You can sit quietly, engage in conversations that may arise, and leave when you need to. There's no membership, no charges, no hidden agendas. Come and see for yourself.”

Conversation starters are available, but ultimately the direction of the gathering will be shaped by those who attend.

“The guiding principle will be: what do you want to talk about? What are your questions?”

One fundamental expectation: respectful listening.

“We’re not looking to engage in heated debate, certainly not to knock people down,” Mr Fair said. “It's amazing what happens when there is genuine openness to the other person.”

The choice of Brew as the meeting place is deliberate.

“First and foremost, Brew is a great coffee shop right in the heart of town and, secondly, they were very open to hosting this gathering,” Fair said. “But perhaps more importantly, it's a comfortable, neutral space and therefore more conducive to the kind of evenings being envisaged. There's more to life than church buildings!”

For those intrigued by the idea, Agnostics Anonymous is open to anyone from approximately 16 years old and up. There is no membership or charge, and people can show up at future gatherings or contact Fair in advance at martin.fair@sky.com with questions.