I dont see taking a couple hrs out of your sunday so you can feel less bad about the rest of your week discipline, but whatever. There is no reason for me to go to something I do not believe in.
I try to be moderate most of the time, but, well...I really just don't like religion. I've got a lot of Catholic friends and I see them pretty much forced (by their girlfriends/wives/family) into going to church, it's sad. They go to church as kids, they hate it, they get free of their family and they don't go. They find a sweet Christian girl and damn it they start going again. They break up and they stop going and they're happy and then they find another Catholic girl lol.
It's brainwashing at it's purest, most public form and society just let's it happen. I really do not understand how the US is OK with it. Thankfully, most of the first world is quickly abandoning organized religion, and it's even on the downfall in the US as well (not fast enough, if you ask me).
Atheist here so nope. I don't like the brainwashing indoctrination with no evidence to support the claims outside of an old poorly written book with outdated "rules".
I do. And I also help out with setting up Sunday services.
I go because its a very supportive environment, where help and encouragement is available. Particularly during family prayer prior to service. Where we split into groups, and discuss what problems we or others in our life are facing. Also attend a community group. where we have serious private discussions about a number of topics. And see how we can better our communities.
Atheist here, though I grew up in a baptist church.
Pretty much this. God damn parents made me miss my Saturday and Sunday morning cartoons for choir rehearsal and church *Raises fist*....
I was always a skeptic even when my mom and dad tried to beat the shit into my head. Officially stopped caring/believing when I was around 12 (Wasn't even aware of the term Atheist til I was 18) and was an Atheist since.
And honestly, the more I went to church and listen to what was going on in the Bible, the more I started thinking that the story was ass backwards, that Satan was actually the "Good" guy and God was actually the antagonist, given the shit God was pulling all through the Bible compared to Satan...
Nope. I'm not religious person like that but I do believe in God. God is everywhere, I don't need some building to worship when I can do that at home or anywhere else.
I do. And I also help out with setting up Sunday services.
I go because its a very supportive environment, where help and encouragement is available. Particularly during family prayer prior to service. Where we split into groups, and discuss what problems we or others in our life are facing. Also attend a community group. where we have serious private discussions about a number of topics. And see how we can better our communities.
Honest question here: Why do you need a specific dogma and doctrine to do any of these things?
Sometimes but it's mainly to enjoy the architecture.
The old Churches are pretty amazing to be inside. The ruined ones are pretty neat as well, the decay adds to the beauty.
Too bad the faithful can always be relied to blow up their own buildings. God, I'm an atheist, and dont ever want to see any of these human legacy sites destroyed. I wish the people who believe in the Gods taught inside these buildings thought the same way.
Was a devout Christian until the age of about 19. Stopped going to my local church due to the constant back stabbing, bitchiness and what not. Not only have I never set foot in that church since, I gave up on the religion and "opened" my eyes I guess you could say.
I used to when I was younger, it was a cool thing community wise, not even taking into account any religious aspect, which I never really bought. I might even go back someday, just for the bond between other people.
@hillelslovak: If you were a little more specific about what "these things" you are referring to. As I mentioned a few things, I could probably better answer your question. But I'll try to. Will also mention I do community service that is not affiliated with my church, with my reserve police officer status.
Anyways, I was informed by my sister of a great christian community group she joined. And since I wasn't attending a church for quite some time. I decided to check it out, and loved it. Then started going to the church the group is part of. And made a number of friends there too. So its just fun going to a social environment where you are welcomed and appreciated. While being able to have a voice, to freely discuss serious and personal topics in a mature group setting in and out of church. The food cooked and provided for on my bi-weekly group meets is also delicious.
@hillelslovak: If you were a little more specific about what "these things" you are referring to. As I mentioned a few things, I could probably better answer your question. But I'll try to. Will also mention I do community service that is not affiliated with my church, with my reserve police officer status.
Anyways, I was informed by my sister of a great christian community group she joined. And since I wasn't attending a church for quite some time. I decided to check it out, and loved it. Then started going to the church the group is part of. And made a number of friends there too. So its just fun going to a social environment where you are welcomed and appreciated. While being able to have a voice, to freely discuss serious and personal topics in a mature group setting in and out of church. The food cooked and provided for on my bi-weekly group meets is also delicious.
I was basically questioning as to why you would need to go to a church, or believe in specific religious doctrines, in order to freely discuss topics, or have fellowship. I only ask because I thought my church was great, until I started asking questions about God, like how can he know the contents of the future, yet have the power to change them. This made no sense to me as a teenager, alongside many other points of doctrine, and I was essentially told to either shut up and stop asking questions, or have faith, which is not acceptable to me.
@hillelslovak: Well there's very few places where anyone can have serious discussions. Hence why I wasn't attending a church for a while. But take forums for instance. What keeps forum discussions on topic with respect (no name calling for instance) is moderation. That moderation or mutual respect in light of disagreements, is not found everywhere. So voices are left unheard out of fear.
I've personally had my share of Christians who were terrible debaters, and just wanted submission. You best forgive such people for lacking gentleness and understanding. Particularly towards the youth, who have to learn the truth for themselves. As everyone has a different path, and no two are alike.
@hillelslovak: Well there's very few places where anyone can have serious discussions. Hence why I wasn't attending a church for a while. But take forums for instance. What keeps forum discussions on topic with respect (no name calling for instance) is moderation. That moderation or mutual respect in light of disagreements, is not found everywhere. So voices are left unheard out of fear.
I've personally had my share of Christians who were terrible debaters, and just wanted submission. You best forgive such people for lacking gentleness and understanding. Particularly towards the youth, who have to learn the truth for themselves. As everyone has a different path, and no two are alike.
Ok, cool. I was not acting like you are some idiot for going to church or anything, just curious.
I do. And I also help out with setting up Sunday services.
I go because its a very supportive environment, where help and encouragement is available. Particularly during family prayer prior to service. Where we split into groups, and discuss what problems we or others in our life are facing. Also attend a community group. where we have serious private discussions about a number of topics. And see how we can better our communities.
That's really the only practical benefit of church that I see.
Of course, as an atheist I don't go to church. Also, I work on Sundays so I'd rather make money than get my schedule changed so that I can go to church. But like, If I married a Christian and she wanted me to go to church with her, I'd go if I thought that the community aspect was worthwhile. If it was just about wasting my time doing nothing but listening to a bunch of religious crap, then nuts to that.
I do. And I also help out with setting up Sunday services.
I go because its a very supportive environment, where help and encouragement is available. Particularly during family prayer prior to service. Where we split into groups, and discuss what problems we or others in our life are facing. Also attend a community group. where we have serious private discussions about a number of topics. And see how we can better our communities.
Honest question here: Why do you need a specific dogma and doctrine to do any of these things?
You really don't. But it can be pretty convenient if you find the right church. If there's already a community that's doing that stuff, then that's often a lot easier than starting such a community from scratch. Additionally, it's not exactly as if all churches are going to drive you out with pointy sticks if they find out that you're not into the dogma and doctrine. Some will, but you've got options. And there really are churches that are more about a sense of community than with dogma and doctrine. If you don't like a particular church then don't go. But I'm an atheist too and I'm open to the idea of going to church again if someone wants me to go with them and I like the church.
I haven't been in years but I'm not opposed to going if asked or I feel like going. Even though my belief is based on the teachings of Christ, I still respect the teachers of other religion. I've matured to the point of my spiritual journey that I know that going to church or any religious institute doesn't make you a better or good person, it's more about having a positive attitude and how you treat people, especially people who are different from you.
Sometimes but it's mainly to enjoy the architecture.
The old Churches are pretty amazing to be inside. The ruined ones are pretty neat as well, the decay adds to the beauty.
Too bad the faithful can always be relied to blow up their own buildings. God, I'm an atheist, and dont ever want to see any of these human legacy sites destroyed. I wish the people who believe in the Gods taught inside these buildings thought the same way.
Guess it depends region. The churches here, like many old buildings have either fell into disrepair or been damaged by proxy of something unrelated to religion, since in them days burning down towns was fair game. Heck, my own town was destroyed 3 times over.
Ironically the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh is St. Margaret Chapel which has existed since the 12th century.
Where is it situated? Directly inside the bounds of Edinburgh Castle. Which has been damaged knocked down and rebuild over and over and over, including cannon spam. While the Castle itself is a mish-mash Frankenstein of different centuries the Chapels exterior remains almost entirely unscathed.
I do. And I also help out with setting up Sunday services.
I go because its a very supportive environment, where help and encouragement is available. Particularly during family prayer prior to service. Where we split into groups, and discuss what problems we or others in our life are facing. Also attend a community group. where we have serious private discussions about a number of topics. And see how we can better our communities.
this is, in my experience, the only real benefit I have seen come from Church, and it really only exists on the local level. A lot of good does come from the Church to the community in many cases.
Fundraisers, community outreach, scholarship programs, awareness programs ("so and so is in the hospital and needs our help" for example)...things of that nature.
I just question if it's worth the cost of the negatives that religion brings, especially in light of non-religious, non-profit, altruistic/philanthropic organizations out there that do the same. I also wonder if you should really be discussing your personal problems openly with people in your community; some of that stuff might be not worth sharing and could come around and bite you in the ass, get spread as gossip, be misinterpreted, and so forth. A certain gossip comes to mind...
Sometimes but it's mainly to enjoy the architecture.
The old Churches are pretty amazing to be inside. The ruined ones are pretty neat as well, the decay adds to the beauty.
Too bad the faithful can always be relied to blow up their own buildings. God, I'm an atheist, and dont ever want to see any of these human legacy sites destroyed. I wish the people who believe in the Gods taught inside these buildings thought the same way.
is there some secret christian movement that I don't know about that wants to destroy old churches?
Sometimes but it's mainly to enjoy the architecture.
The old Churches are pretty amazing to be inside. The ruined ones are pretty neat as well, the decay adds to the beauty.
Too bad the faithful can always be relied to blow up their own buildings. God, I'm an atheist, and dont ever want to see any of these human legacy sites destroyed. I wish the people who believe in the Gods taught inside these buildings thought the same way.
is there some secret christian movement that I don't know about that wants to destroy old churches?
Protestants and Catholics currently, alongside with a whole host of interfatih schisms for the last 2000 years. Then you have Muslim conquests that either demolished or converted churches and cathedrals into mosques.
Sometimes but it's mainly to enjoy the architecture.
The old Churches are pretty amazing to be inside. The ruined ones are pretty neat as well, the decay adds to the beauty.
Too bad the faithful can always be relied to blow up their own buildings. God, I'm an atheist, and dont ever want to see any of these human legacy sites destroyed. I wish the people who believe in the Gods taught inside these buildings thought the same way.
is there some secret christian movement that I don't know about that wants to destroy old churches?
Protestants and Catholics currently, alongside with a whole host of interfatih schisms for the last 2000 years. Then you have Muslim conquests that either demolished or converted churches and cathedrals into mosques.
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