Religion is and has historically been a large divider of people. It may not always be a divider, and I'm not saying all people of any particular belief system are divisive or exclusive, but religious differences certainly tend to be hot button issues for many people.

The point of a meetup or conference is to bring people together on a particular topic. So unless your purpose is a faith-based exercise, I think it would only dilute the original intent of getting people together for a 'web event'.

As a Dawkins-thumping atheist, I don't think I would mind too much. 'Houses of worship' happen to have some be the most beautifully architectured buildings so naturally make for good venues, irrespective of your religious beliefs or lack thereof.

I do however doubt that any house of worship really wants me in it.

I consider myself pretty tolerant, but if the event involves any PHP, I have to say "no thank you".

I think the event would work as a nice filter, which might bring out a different, interesting group of people. :)

PHP as in the language??

A large part of meetups and conferences is the culture that they foster. Non-partisan venues are more appropriate because the venue plays such a large role in that (regardless of intent).

Besides the obvious impact of alienating some portion of your audience (again, it's inevitable regardless of intent), you're losing an opportunity to build on the culture and possibly comprising what you have built already.

I’d prefer a more neutral location personally, otherwise you may end up making an event that restricts who can attend based on their religious views.

No religion forbids entry into another house of worship. As long as no one preaches or condemns anyone else then there is no harm.

If your place of work instilled a prayer room where all faiths were allowed to use it I'm sure you wouldn't quit your job or refuse entry into the building.

> No religion forbids entry into another house of worship.

Citation?

Your government (I'm assuming you live in the USA || Canada) supports "Houses of Worship" through tax exemptions. I'd feel like I was finally getting some value out of a church if a conference was held there.

edit: Added Canada; we do the same.

I'm in the UK actually, but I do believe recognised religions get some forms of tax breaks in the UK as well though I'm not complealty sure.

That is an amazing idea! Finally get use out of these majestic buildings and get useful, factual info for a change.

I have done already...in a way. Reasons to be Appy last year was held at LSO St Luke's and it was actually quite a nice setting. Granted it's not your ordinary church but the building itself was great and had a large enough main room for the conference and little rooms to host coffee's and socialising.

Does LSO St Luke's really count? Correct me if I'm wrong but the venue is used primarily for musical performances, not as a 'house of worship'.

It is a brilliant venue, my wife performs in a Gamelan ensemble there every year which is great fun.

I don't have a problem with the building. I do have a problem if somebody starts to preach.

Would you be expecting that?

It's a reasonable assumption.

I go to vote at a church hall no one stops me and asks me if I've found Jesus. If I go to a conference the only subjects I expect to hear preached are semantics and semicolons.

If the venue does not require you to listen to their preaching/doctrine , why does it matter? Most of us have to deal with people on topics we don't see eye-to-eye on pretty regularly, why is this case different?

I would be curious if the event or the organizer had any connection to the venue. It wouldn't keep me from going, and it might make me notice it more just for the unexpected juxtaposition.

As the organiser in question. I don't have any religious affiliation. I'm just aware of many wonderful buildings around my citys who's primary purpose is that of worship but design see's them very well suited to a conference.

If the place of worship is happy to have me in it (i.e. a potential non-believer/counter-believer), then I'm happy to be in it.

Fuck it. It might be fun. And most conferences are preachy anyway - it might instil a bit of humility in the speakers.

Either that or give some folks a full blown god complex

No thanks

I think programming is about logic and facts, which for me don't really gel with 'faith'.

I'd be uncomfortable.

The same way I do about voting in such places. Not good.

Meeting/conference should be towards peace.