I still go to church.

Would you say its wrong?

I'm a closet atheist....I continue to go to church because I'd say I'm pretty close to the people there, I love spending time with them. I even play music for Sunday Service...but I just cringe when a few members or even my pastor blacklist homosexuals or muslims.

I'm not desperate for love, although I do love the close community feel a church gives you. A lot of it has to do with nostalgia, I've been with these people all my life, and a couple of them I see outside of church too.

Are any of you in the same situation? Do you think I should just stop going? 

Meh, it's really up to you. What state do you live in/how badly would people react if they knew you are an atheist at heart? chrisrooR

my dad criticizes my aunt for leaving church because he said "she left because it was trendy" (which was in the 80's).

If you enjoy it, keep going.

I don't go to church because there are too many close-minded people and hypocrites.

my dad criticizes my aunt for leaving church because he said "she left because it was trendy" (which was in the 80's).Legolas_Katarn

If you're willing to leave something because "it's trendy" you probably didn't care much for it in the first place.

I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I mean, I wouldn't pretend to be someone you're not, but there is nothing wrong with going to church for the people and community aspect of it.

It's okay. I don't see anything wrong with it.

I personally don't go to churches in my country because they're filled with hate, stupidity and idiocracy. All the do is be anti-muslim, anti-science, anti-gays, anti-atheist... it's annoying. 

It's up to you.  Personally I stopped becuase I cannot give support to institutions like that.  I'm not alone apparently, because even the people who are still believers stopped going....all the churches near my house (there's loads of them) are bleeding members quickly.

It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Zeviander

The decision is yours, if I was you I'd stop going..

[QUOTE="Zeviander"]It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Legolas_Katarn

That sounds like a horrible way to liveLegolas_Katarn

It's your choice in the end. I'd say the right thing to do though is to be honest, and say you are atheist. If they cannot accept you for that and act intolerant towards you, then they are not people worth being with.

Influence.

The biggest power in this world.

@Zeviander:i completely disagree.

There's nothing more important than being YOU.

Your real,unbrainwashed self.

If the people you care about/love would oust you for being, well, YOU, then it seems to me that they don't actually care about you at all.

I myself would "come out" so to speak, say good riddance to all who put so much emphasis upon meaningless things, and (the hardest part) find people who would care about me/love me for who I am.

@Zeviander:i completely disagree. There's nothing more important than being YOU. Your real,unbrainwashed self.GreekGameManiac

All that is important is conscious awareness of who one is. What image one projects outwardly is much less important, as it can change, and be used to one's advantage.Zeviander

Yes,true.

But you should be your real self AND show it,when u can.

Even in situations like his.

And this comes from a guy who's against Atheists.

[QUOTE="Zeviander"]It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Legolas_Katarn

[QUOTE="Legolas_Katarn"][QUOTE="Zeviander"]It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Lonelynight

Actually he's fckn right.

Revealing your true self is the meaning of life.

You have to be YOU.

That's why society sucks,it supresses/mocks/hates ppl who are..."different" in any way.

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"][QUOTE="Legolas_Katarn"] That sounds like a horrible way to liveGreekGameManiac

Actually he's fckn right.

Revealing your true self is the meaning of life.

You have to be YOU.

That's why society sucks,it supresses/mocks/hates ppl who are..."different" in any way.

But you should be your real self AND show it,when u can. Even in situations like his.GreekGameManiac

So you agree but still have to be "right". Damaging relationships over something as petty as this, knowing FULL WELL how revealing such information would turn loved one's against a person, is highly detrimental. Being true to oneself does not require an outward expression of one's beliefs.Zeviander

To me,it does.

That's why we are on this world.

@Lonelynight:that doesn't really count.

You have to face the world.

PS: The wrong ppl are the wrong ppl.

What you don't need,is what you don't need.

No exceptions.

Even if they are family.

who cares, most people are wrong about a lot of things. I know myself, and that's the only thing that really matter. Lonelynight

You're weird.

No,it's not the only thing that matters.

That's supressing yourself.

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"]who cares, most people are wrong about a lot of things. I know myself, and that's the only thing that really matter. GreekGameManiac

You're weird.

No,it's not the only thing that matters.

That's supressing yourself.

That's why society sucks,it supresses/mocks/hates ppl who are..."different" in any way.GreekGameManiac

so what do you purpose I do? Come out as an atheist and make my entire family(extended family included) sad and worried? make my dad's job harder for him? Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to find like minded people here as people here are either chrisitians, muslims or buddhistsLonelynight

I don't purpose you do anything,but imo,it'd just be better to tell them the truth,yes.

So yes.

You won't,but if you did,that'd be best.

You're not like them.

And yeah,i think Mr.Geezer is the one who got it right.

It depends on the situation.

Though showing yourself is better than hiding it,in general.

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"][QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

You're weird.

No,it's not the only thing that matters.

That's supressing yourself.

GreekGameManiac

I don't purpose you do anything,but imo,it'd just be better to tell them the truth,yes.

So yes.

[QUOTE="GreekGameManiac"]

[QUOTE="Lonelynight"] so what do you purpose I do? Come out as an atheist and make my entire family(extended family included) sad and worried? make my dad's job harder for him? Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to find like minded people here as people here are either chrisitians, muslims or buddhistsLonelynight

I don't purpose you do anything,but imo,it'd just be better to tell them the truth,yes.

So yes.

especially if you live in, say, the bible belt.  Is it worth getting kicked out of the house? Probably not

easy when it's not you who have to face the consequences. wis3boi

especially if you live in, say, the bible belt.  Is it worth getting kicked out of the house? Probably not

It's worth it,imo.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

easy when it's not you who have to face the consequences. GreekGameManiac

especially if you live in, say, the bible belt.  Is it worth getting kicked out of the house? Probably not

It's worth it,imo.

0/10

I stopped going when I was 8 when I decided video games were cooler. 

I stopped going when I was 8 when I decided video games were cooler. 

soulless4now

Lol,epic answer!

Would you say its wrong?

I'm a closet atheist....I continue to go to church because I'd say I'm pretty close to the people there, I love spending time with them. I even play music for Sunday Service...but I just cringe when a few members or even my pastor blacklist homosexuals or muslims.

I'm not desperate for love, although I do love the close community feel a church gives you. A lot of it has to do with nostalgia, I've been with these people all my life, and a couple of them I see outside of church too.

Are any of you in the same situation? Do you think I should just stop going? 

lonewolf604

Probably the best reason for going to church there is out there.  I'm disappointed atheists don't have something similar, wilkl seek to remedy.

I stopped going when I was 8 when I decided video games were cooler. 

soulless4now

:lol: <3

I don't think it's wrong. You don't have to be a true believer to enjoy the sense of community that religion affords, it's comfortable for you.

(this is speculative at best) What I do think is that you're afraid of being ostracized by the community over what you actually believe. Or maybe you just don't them concerning themselves over you, you don't want them to convert you into an actual believer. What you can do is look for friends outside of church, but if you live in a small town that is easier said than done.

I'm not in the same situation, thankfully.

It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Zeviander

Do you also give this advice to closet homosexuals?

It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.Zeviander

I know a number of posters have already disagreed with you here, but I just can't understand why someone would want to live like this.

I mean, it is one thing if you live somewhere where the risks are severe, like death or something, or if you are a child/younger and living with your parents/guardians and risk getting thrown out. But to live your whole life like this? That sounds like a really miserable way to live.

I know a number of posters have already disagreed with you here, but I just can't understand why someone would want to live like this.

I mean, it is one thing if you live somewhere where the risks are severe, like death or something, or if you are a child/younger and living with your parents/guardians and risk getting thrown out. But to live your whole life like this? That sounds like a really miserable way to live.

IdioticIcarus

Yeah,though even being thrown out is worth it,imo.

I don't think it's wrong. You don't have to be a true believer to enjoy the sense of community that religion affords, it's comfortable for you.

(this is speculative at best) What I do think is that you're afraid of being ostracized by the community over what you actually believe. Or maybe you just don't them concerning themselves over you, you don't want them to convert you into an actual believer. What you can do is look for friends outside of church, but if you live in a small town that is easier said than done.

I'm not in the same situation, thankfully.

 

[QUOTE="Zeviander"]It is better to keep your beliefs to yourself and maintain your family and community relationships, than it is to reveal your true self and push everyone you love away.SirWander

Do you also give this advice to closet homosexuals?