Atheist goes to church

So after quite a bit of postponing, I finally decided to take up my Christian friend's offer to go to church with him. I had been to church a great many times before as a kid whilst a Christian, but stopped around the age of 17, so my friend's offer was more for old time's sake (11 years later) rather than an attempt at converting me. We went to the same church, and it was pretty weird this time around going as an atheist. There were a lot of familiar but much older faces, and a lot of new ones. The weirdest part was during the sermon and bible reading, as I just could not connect the message (pastor's interpretation) to the scripture, mostly because it seemed a bit of a stretch. Also, what used to seem like necessary and meaningful rituals now just seemed very silly. Of course I kept a straight face and was respectful of the people as they went about their worshiping and praying. After the service, a few people came and shook my hand and talked for a bit. At no point did I reveal that I was an atheist.

However, the point I'm trying to arrive at is that going to church somehow reassured me of my position of non-belief, not that it's something I'd want to do often. It didn't raise any doubts. More importantly, I got a stronger appreciation for how attractive the social interaction is. Most people would say they go to church to worship, but I got the sense that worship is only a small part of why they really go there every Sunday and sometimes during the week for rehearsals. My friend readily admits this.

Not sure if any of you have gone to church as atheists, or went with an atheist friend. If you have, how did you find the experience of going back to church or going for the first time, or what did you think of your friend's reaction.

Sometimes I have to go with my family if I come over for the break or something, and I used to go quite often with them before college. I found it to be a bit strange. I hated the worshiping part, but then again, I hated the worshping part when I called myself a Christian. I also find myself paying closer attention to what the pastor says and finding it to be either A) common sense or B) completely stupid

Your experience seems very normal, though.

I'm an atheist and do a lot of things at my church. Nobody at the church knows I've been an atheist for over a year now. I actually enjoy it, there's a lot of cool people at my church and like you said there's a lot of socializing to do at church. It's also helped my with my trumpet skills because I play during worship. There's a few awkard things I have to do, and I feel like I'm lying to all these people, but I really don't know how I'll tell my parents I'm not Chrisian. They wouldn't be mad at me, they would just be fearful for me because they would think that I'm going to hell.

I respect your choice to give it a try. I myself am 17 and am probably heading down the exact same path as you. Now taht i'm confirmed I don't plan on going back to church except for those special occasions.

I was invited to a youth organization at a Church of God in 2009, because they were offering a free steak dinner to everyone who came. Everyone was friendly, but at least half of the service was singing and clapping. In the middle of that the preacher/pastor spoke to the crowd about god and Jesus and how the only way to him was through Christianity, not any other religion. Of course he also talked about hell and how being with the church was the only way to stay out of it. Overall I disagreed with many of the things he said and the steak dinner wasn't even that good.

I'm an atheist and do a lot of things at my church. Nobody at the church knows I've been an atheist for over a year now. I actually enjoy it, there's a lot of cool people at my church and like you said there's a lot of socializing to do at church. It's also helped my with my trumpet skills because I play during worship. There's a few awkard things I have to do, and I feel like I'm lying to all these people, but I really don't know how I'll tell my parents I'm not Chrisian. They wouldn't be mad at me, they would just be fearful for me because they would think that I'm going to hell.

cain006

Church has only to do with the fellowship with other Christians, not the "rituals," preaching, or the other people. Your relationship with God, or lack there of, is dependent on your faith and is YOUR relationship. Church isn't supposed to justreaffirm your belief but to testify it.

I was invited to a youth organization at a Church of God in 2009, because they were offering a free steak dinner to everyone who came. Everyone was friendly, but at least half of the service was singing and clapping. In the middle of that the preacher/pastor spoke to the crowd about god and Jesus and how the only way to him was through Christianity, not any other religion. Of course he also talked about hell and how being with the church was the only way to stay out of it. Overall I disagreed with many of the things he said and the steak dinner wasn't even that good.

dog64

Just keep in mind that they're only doing it because they're trying to help you. I've come across many reasonable and unreasonable people in church. Some people think ridiculous things like listening to non Christian music is bad for you, think the average non Christian turns to drugs/alcohol frequently, etc. but there are many level headed Christians.

I don't care. Blog it.Seajack

[QUOTE="Seajack"]I don't care. Blog it.hensothor

[QUOTE="hensothor"][QUOTE="Seajack"]I don't care. Blog it.Seajack

Was it anything like this TC?

I don't care. Blog it.Seajack

[QUOTE="Seajack"]I don't care. Blog it.MgamerBD

[QUOTE="MgamerBD"][QUOTE="Seajack"]I don't care. Blog it.blacknight06

Was it anything like this TC?

Xeros606

who the **** cares? You guys are making atheism a religion in itself i swear...i'm sure half the people there don't actually believ in god lolz

So after quite a bit of postponing, I finally decided to take up my Christian friend's offer to go to church with him. I had been to church a great many times before as a kid whilst a Christian, but stopped around the age of 17, so my friend's offer was more for old time's sake (11 years later) rather than an attempt at converting me. We went to the same church, and it was pretty weird this time around going as an atheist. There were a lot of familiar but much older faces, and a lot of new ones. The weirdest part was during the sermon and bible reading, as I just could not connect the message (pastor's interpretation) to the scripture, mostly because it seemed a bit of a stretch. Also, what used to seem like necessary and meaningful rituals now just seemed very silly. Of course I kept a straight face and was respectful of the people as they went about their worshiping and praying. After the service, a few people came and shook my hand and talked for a bit. At no point did I reveal that I was an atheist.

However, the point I'm trying to arrive at is that going to church somehow reassured me of my position of non-belief, not that it's something I'd want to do often. It didn't raise any doubts. More importantly, I got a stronger appreciation for how attractive the social interaction is. Most people would say they go to church to worship, but I got the sense that worship is only a small part of why they really go there every Sunday and sometimes during the week for rehearsals. My friend readily admits this.

Not sure if any of you have gone to church as atheists, or went with an atheist friend. If you have, how did you find the experience of going back to church or going for the first time, or what did you think of your friend's reaction.vTunes

I'm glad that it seemed like you went with an earnest interest and were really respectful to everyone there. I know some people, personally, that aren't fond of religion and don't really have a lot of respect for religious people.

I've never been to church personally, and I don't think I'll ever be invited to go with anyone. I think it would be an interesting experience.

congratz?JPOBS

haha

I don't care. Blog it.Seajack

congratz?JPOBS

Looking back on my forced church experience, I really wish I would have been less of a pushover. I remember a specific incident of reading during a "youth service" or whatever when I was 16 or 17 and I was asked to quit reading so I did. In retrospect, I should have said "no."

Why did you go? Now you will have no excuse on judgment day when God says "Well, remember that one time you went to church, THAT WAS YOUR CHANCE, NOW PREPARE TO BE SMITED"

I was in the Boy Brigade for 14 years untill I left for University in 09, I'm not sure if everyone knows what it is but it's a chirch run youth organistation for boys (Origonaly as a sort of beginers Territorial army) and won the scripture prise for 8 of them, ironicaly it was the in depth study of the bible made me not believe it. As a result I had to go to church twice a year for Enrolment and Rememberance Day as well as family Funerals ,Weddings (And my familys pretty dam massive) and the occasional time with my mum (Dads an Agnostic, Mum Anglican/Church of Ireland, Boys Brigade Methodist). I also stayed wth an American family for 6 weeks on a summer exchange and went to Catholic Mass with them.

The only time I didn't feel bombarded by an attempted conversion/saving was the Rememberance day services which were in effect quite good to go along to as a way of paying repects, Athlough I woul probably have went to a local war memorial was I not in church anyway. The Catholic church in America however was a completly sureal experiece and something I'm actually using for the effects of organised religion on societies for an Archeology essay. I didn't understand how they had obtained certain symbolisms, how they could literaly think something turns to the blood of chrst as well as commnion in general for all churches, the Sainthoods, Religious Holy Objects, why a virgin birth is important etc etc. I was however brought into a room with one of the Priest at the end of every sunday and had a private chat with him (Why I was left alone in a room with a priest looking back on it mystifies me) and he would chat about what I'd learnt today and otherwise try to save my soul. Very OTT in my opinion.