Clive Hannah, Toronto Oasis and Its Community

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/12/13

Clive Hannah is an organizer with Toronto Oasis, a secular community focused on human connection and shared values. Hannah manages the organization’s website hosting and organizes the Toronto Adults with ADHD Support Group. He also volunteers with MasterHeart, a men’s group that emphasizes personal growth and camaraderie. Notably, he facilitated the transition of Toronto Oasis meetings to an online platform during March 2020, ensuring continuity and engagement through virtual gatherings. His leadership extends to hosting discussions and spearheading events.

Hannah described his journey from childhood doubts during he First Communion to eventually leaving Catholicism and joining the Toronto Oasis Group, finding acceptance outside religion. He recounted searching for secular communities since 2012 and discovering Oasis in 2017, which fulfilled his need for connection. As an organizer, he emphasized balancing fun with community involvement and coordinating inclusive activities. Hannah highlighted his work on community outreach, connecting with humanist organizations. He discussed the challenges and varied responses in the secular community. He expressed hope for expanding Oasis’s impact and securing funding.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we are here with Clive Hannah from Toronto Oasis. I have been aware of this organization for about six years now. I have interviewed many people, but not extensively within Oasis communities. What has your experience been like as a volunteer?

Clive Hannah: Meeting so many different people has been very grounding. Our group is public so anyone can join; it’s not closed. Meeting people from different backgrounds and faiths has been fascinating, which has helped me step out of my news bubble.

Discussing certain topics prompts me to reflect on why I think a certain way, my position, and where that perspective comes from. That has been enlightening. We cover many topics related to social justice issues and observe how different people respond to them. When you are part of a community and engage in discussions, other aspects of the community come forward, especially in presentations and lectures. We dedicate the first half-hour of our meetings to community-building.

We have a “Joys and Concerns” segment and a greeting session where members can mix and mingle. After that, we dive into our main topic and hold a discussion. The initial half-hour helps unite us, allowing us to explore a topic as a group.

Jacobsen: What topics and concerns tend to arise in your discussions? Do they lean more toward intellectual subjects or compassionate, community-based themes?

Hannah: Our group tries to maintain a skeptical approach, but we discuss various topics. We have even talked about UFOs. We encourage topics that anyone in the community wants to explore and approach them from a skeptical perspective, focusing on building community.

Jacobsen: Do you ever have a book club or similar activities?

Hannah: Yes, we do have a book club. One of our members has been running it for quite some time.

We are also working on shifting our focus towards activism. We are part of a larger group called the Oasis Network based in Houston and Kansas City. Having grown up Roman Catholic, I seek the sense of community that comes from the church but without the associated dogma. We do a good job of achieving that balance.

Jacobsen: How would you compare this experience to other communities besides the sense of community?

Hannah: We have five core values, one of which is “Be accepting and be accepted.” That’s a significant difference from other communities. We aim to be inclusive and welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds. We enjoy engaging with them in a shared community while staying true to our skeptical roots and promoting open discussions. However, it’s not about changing people’s opinions.

Jacobsen: How do you navigate that balance? In a Catholic Mass or service, there is a structured set of music, scripture readings, presentations, and rituals, which often encourage people to behave in a specific way that may not always be authentic.

Hannah: Navigating that line involves encouraging open discussions and accepting diverse viewpoints without imposing any particular belief system.

Jacobsen: In an Oasis group, how do you structure activities outside the community talk and the presentation? You have this value of “be accepting and be accepted.” How do you ensure this is maintained?

Hannah: We do have our code of conduct, which includes being respectful, not rude, and allowing others the chance to speak. This is important. A few organizers facilitate our discussions to ensure they remain productive and do not escalate.

One of the main ways we maintain order is by staying on topic. We don’t allow the introduction of unrelated subjects, which usually helps enrich the conversation.

Jacobsen: How big is the community now?

Hannah: We have become much smaller since the pandemic, but we typically have about 20 to 30 people attending our Zoom meetings. We transitioned completely online after the pandemic. Before when we met in person, we had around 30 to 40 attendees.

Jacobsen: And did these communities start in the 2010s or the 2000s? I am trying to remember.

Hannah: Our Toronto Oasis started in 2016 before I joined.

Jacobsen: What do you think is the long-term sustainability of these communities? That might be a critical question in conversations since you don’t have the benefits of tax-exempt land or government grants, which other organizations might receive.

Hannah: Yes, that’s true. We have done well with donations. We rented space at the University of Toronto campus when we had a physical location. We had enough members and support through donations to cover our expenses. I felt fortunate, but reaching a critical mass of participants is essential to maintaining sustainability.

Jacobsen: What is your own story of leaving Catholicism and becoming, let’s say, not so Catholic?

Hannah: It goes back to when I was around seven, during my First Communion. There is a point where the priest asks, “Do you believe in Jesus?” At that age, I said, “No, I don’t.” I felt confident in my parents, who did believe, but they allowed me to have my own views. However, I was put off by the sacraments and rituals of the Catholic Church.

My parents told me, “We already bought you a suit and planned a party—just say yes.” So, I did, but I held onto my true values despite going along with it. However, I wasn’t confident in my beliefs until my early twenties, when I went through a period of soul-searching.

One moment that stood out was when a friend invited me to a Hindu ceremony. I saw a picture of Jesus on the altar, which surprised me. It broke my perception because, in a Catholic church, you would never see another god. But the Hindu faith said, “Yes, we’ll include your God.”

There was a different level of acceptance that I felt was missing from my Catholic upbringing, and that led me to keep searching for something even more accepting. Eventually, that journey brought me to the Toronto Oasis group.

Jacobsen: How do you feel life changes within a theological system versus outside?

Hannah: The biggest challenge is finding a new community. Growing up, my family was deeply embedded in the Catholic community. Even other activities my parents participated in were connected to the Catholic Church. Toronto is an example of a place where, if you want to step away from your religious culture and community, there is another option. You can still feel accepted and bond with others, but it’s not based on shared beliefs; it’s simply because you’re human.

Jacobsen: How do the community leaders present themselves compared to religious figures who might wear elaborate dress and hold positions of unquestionable authority?

Hannah: I’m one of the organizers within our group. I emphasize with my fellow organizers that we must keep things fun and maintain a sense of community. We can’t separate ourselves from the group; otherwise, it feels like a job or a chore. We take turns handling our duties so everyone can relax and be part of the community. That approach is essential for sustaining the connection and sense of community.

Jacobsen: What are you hoping to bring to the community in 2025? Do you have specific activities or membership drives in mind, especially considering the benefits and limitations of being online?

Hannah: One benefit of going online is that we’ve attracted more people internationally. Participants are joining from Europe, the U.S., and beyond while maintaining our Toronto base. One of our other organizers is focused on initiatives like supporting food banks and exploring ways to serve the larger community. Food banks are just one example, but there are other ideas we’re working on.

Jacobsen: How do you find the process of coordinating and organizing these events, ensuring they’re both enjoyable and structured enough to meet people’s expectations?

Hannah: Our approach aligns with the core values established through the Oasis Network. We don’t want to over-facilitate or make sure everything happens rigidly. It’s about embracing the mystery of things and letting them unfold naturally. The feedback we’ve received indicates that this approach is different from other secular groups in Toronto, which often lean more toward intellectual discussions. I want it to be more community-based, focusing on enjoying each other’s company.

Jacobsen: That could include something as simple as going to a Tim Hortons or McDonald’s and chatting for an hour.

Hannah: Yes, exactly. We have what we call “Meet and Greet,” where we go to a restaurant for a couple of hours and talk about anything, but with the underlying idea of returning it to our shared sense of community.

Jacobsen: Yes. So, it’s less of a “why are we here” group and more of a “how are you doing” group.

Hannah: Especially with the “Joys and Concerns” segment, where we want to hear the highs and lows of your week. We don’t want to be an overly cheerful group; we create space to acknowledge both the spoken and the unspoken. What isn’t said can be just as important as what is shared. Someone could have a low moment, like talking about the death of a friend. Sometimes, we follow that with up to a minute of silence to give people space to feel and process that moment.

Jacobsen: What about coordination with other groups on occasion? There are humanist groups and many other groups around in Toronto.

Hannah: Many of our community overlaps with the Humanist Association of Toronto, but we serve different purposes. We’ve never felt that our groups are at odds with each other. It’s fascinating that Toronto Oasis offers something slightly different that provides unique value to the community. We’re not trying to compete with other groups like Atheists and Friends or CFIC.

Atheists and Friends are interesting because they meet at a pub once a month. I’ve been there a few times, and while it’s a different experience from what Oasis provides, I enjoy both. People must experience or study these new communities because they are based on something other than holy texts. They might have a book club focusing on seasonal books or well-written works relevant to certain subjects.

Jacobsen: Your volunteer who runs the book club—has that been an interesting dynamic?

Hannah: Although he has not done it recently, his approach was unique. We don’t all read the same book. Instead, we share what we’re reading and discuss it. He doesn’t stop there; he’ll ask if anyone watched an interesting movie or read an article—anything impactful they’d like to share. I think this speaks to our accepting mantra.

Jacobsen: There should be government grants or other support for secular groups like these. Yes, having Atheists and Friends, Oasis and Sunday Assembly shows the variety of experiences available. It’s exciting to see this diversifying landscape. This is a step beyond the simple “we’re here, get used to it” mindset, aiming for equal societal status while building sustainable communities. How do you see the orientation of these groups changing compared to the 2000s?

Hannah: It’s very different now. I enjoy that different community members, not just the organizers, offer topics for discussion. This allows me to discover my opinions and think, “Where did that come from? Why do I feel this way?” It’s not just about religious beliefs; we have other beliefs that we dismantle together.

Jacobsen: Many of your ethics align with humanist values, which is why we believe in certain principles and the universalism behind them. It’s important and enlightening. What have you seen other Oasis groups doing that you’d like to start?

Hannah: We are involved with other Oasis groups and recently attended a conference in Kansas City. They purchased a former church for their meetings, funded entirely through donations. We could reach a similar critical mass in Toronto and establish a permanent location. Having a foundation in a neighbourhood would bring more people and strengthen the community.

Jacobsen: How do you differentiate yourselves from other Oasis groups?

Hannah: The best part is that we feel the same in spirit, even if we have our unique community dynamics.

In Kansas City, the Oasis meetings are recorded and shared on YouTube and Facebook Live. I’ve watched some of them and thought, “Oh, this feels like one of our meetings here in Toronto.” I enjoy that sense of sameness rather than differentiation.

Jacobsen: How large is the Oasis Network now?

Hannah: It’s about seven or eight chapters. We’re one of only two in the Toronto area. There’s Toronto Oasis and West Hill United in Scarborough. The rest of the chapters are based in the U.S.

Jacobsen: How does being the only Canadian group among predominantly American chapters feel?

Hannah: It has posed some challenges. We’ve had to step up and say, “Hey, we’re Canadian here,” when discussions lean too heavily on U.S.-centric topics like, “Go talk to your senator.” We strive to change the language to make it more inclusive and international.

Jacobsen: Have you tried applying for funding to cover expenses like a Zoom premium account for unlimited call lengths?

Hannah: No, we haven’t. A certain level of effort is required to reach that stage, and while we’re open to the idea, we’re not there yet. When we grow larger, we’ll consider it, but not now. The goal would be to eventually attain that tax-exempt status.

Jacobsen: Did I miss any important points, or have we covered most key details?

Hannah: Yes, I’d like to add that when I first came across Toronto Oasis, it was through my partner, who was a guest speaker. I attended a meeting and thought, “Wait, what’s happening here?” That was around 2017. Before that, in 2012 or 2013, I was searching for secular groups but didn’t even know the right terms, like “secular” or “humanism.” I was still early in my journey for a community. When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I gave up and thought, “Well, I tried.” Then I found Toronto Oasis and realized it was exactly what I had been looking for four years earlier.

I joined for a few weeks, stepped away for a while, and then realized I missed it. Since then, I have attended every meeting. I’m also part of a men’s group, which serves a different purpose but makes me feel connected to the community.

Jacobsen: What’s the nature of the men’s group, and how does it differ from the general Oasis community?

Hannah: I also help organize that group, Powerful and Loving. We talk about masculinity and femininity and how to balance them. It’s about holding both sides, advocating for yourself, maintaining agency, and related topics. These aren’t discussions we have in Oasis, so it adds a different level of connection for me.

Jacobsen: Are there things guys talk about in the men’s group that they won’t mention in the general group?

Hannah: For sure. Discussions about sex and money are big topics that most men tend to keep private.

Jacobsen: Thank you so much for your time, Clive. I appreciate it.

Hannah: You’re welcome. Thank you, Scott.

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