Do you go to church if you dont believe in God?

As an atheist I know I found it rather uncomfortable being in a church recently for a friend's wedding. If you are anything like me you will not feel at all at ease standing/sitting there in cynical silence while people around you are singing hymns and praying.

Church is no place for an atheist, and if SHE respects YOUR beliefs, she'll understand that. You're not telling her that she shouldn't go. So she shouldn't be telling you that you should.
 
Hmm it's a tough one... if I was in this situation, I think I'd feel pretty uncomfortable standing/sitting in church while others do their thing. But then on the other side of the argument is that your GF feels religion is very important to her and she wants you to be a part of it.

Yep. Sounds like I've summed up pretty well :p

My answer would probably be no, and I would probably have second thoughts on the relationship... Have you considered that you two may not be perfect together? If religion is so important to her, maybe she needs a religious man in her life...
 
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it would depend on what she wants out of it, I'm an open minded person however i'm not religious, if she was happy in the understanding that i have no real interest in religion but would be there for her support and just generally spending time together then yeah fine, i suppose i wouldnt have much of an issue, if it made her happy.
but if she was doing it to try and change my beliefs, then no i wouldnt.
 
steve45 said:
it would depend on what she wants out of it, I'm an open minded person however i'm not religious, if she was happy in the understanding that i have no real interest in religion but would be there for her support and just generally spending time together then yeah fine, i suppose i wouldnt have much of an issue, if it made her happy.
but if she was doing it to try and change my beliefs, then no i wouldnt.
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This was/is me tbh. Nothing phases me about Church because I'm comfortable where I am in by belief / non belief and there's little that can be said to sway me either way.
 
Craig R said:
Church is no place for an atheist, and if SHE respects YOUR beliefs, she'll understand that. You're not telling her that she shouldn't go. So she shouldn't be telling you that you should.
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Church is no place for an anti-theist. For an atheist I see no problem.

As a Catholic I have no problem attending ceremonies of other faiths. I have been to Protestant, Jewish and Islamic weddings and funerals. In each case I full observed all traditions.
 
Not all the while bit I don't see a problem with going on the odd Sunday. Christian services tend to not be just about god anyway.

It's just a building if you're not a Christian anyway.

I've been to mosques, temples, synagogues and churches. Doesn't bother me.
 
spudbynight said:
Church is no place for an anti-theist. For an atheist I see no problem.

As a Catholic I have no problem attending ceremonies of other faiths. I have been to Protestant, Jewish and Islamic weddings and funerals. In each case I full observed all traditions.
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I'm an atheist and would rather not be invited to religious ceremonies by anyone, really. As Craig mentions, I end up standing there silently throughout the whole affair feeling like a bit of a plum.

I can't take part, as I don't believe in any of the words that would be coming out of my mouth and I personally find it disrespectful to those who do genuinely believe in it. Another factor in it is much the same as the reason that I don't get on particularly well with young children; I can't engage with them in childish play as it's just not anything like normal adult behaviour. It feels like I'm betraying myself in some way, and I start to get extremely anxious, self-aware and tetchy. Just not comfortable in any way. :(
 
No, not at all. What an utterly ridiculous expectation.

Personally I couldn't be with someone who's life revolved around an invisible flying spaghetti monster, I prefer women with more intelligence and a more pragmatic set of sensibilities.
 
I would go now and then to show that you are supporting her, does she do things that she doesn't enjoy to keep you happy?

However, every week is probably pushing it - unless she does something of a similar level of commitment, joining you at the football or something like that. I'm an atheist, but I have no issue with going into a church and respecting their beliefs. Plus, you might even enjoy it like I enjoy the Christmas service whenever I've been.
 
Pestilence said:
I'm an atheist and would rather not be invited to religious ceremonies by anyone, really. As Craig mentions, I end up standing there silently throughout the whole affair feeling like a bit of a plum.

I can't take part, as I don't believe in any of the words that would be coming out of my mouth and I personally find it disrespectful to those who do genuinely believe in it. Another factor in it is much the same as the reason that I don't get on particularly well with young children; I can't engage with them in childish play as it's just not anything like normal adult behaviour. It feels like I'm betraying myself in some way, and I start to get extremely anxious, self-aware and tetchy. Just not comfortable in any way. :(
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+1 to all of that.
 
Pestilence said:
I'm an atheist and would rather not be invited to religious ceremonies by anyone, really. As Craig mentions, I end up standing there silently throughout the whole affair feeling like a bit of a plum.

I can't take part, as I don't believe in any of the words that would be coming out of my mouth and I personally find it disrespectful to those who do genuinely believe in it. Another factor in it is much the same as the reason that I don't get on particularly well with young children; I can't engage with them in childish play as it's just not anything like normal adult behaviour. It feels like I'm betraying myself in some way, and I start to get extremely anxious, self-aware and tetchy. Just not comfortable in any way. :(
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So would you refuse to go to a church wedding?

I went to my first Jewish wedding a few years ago. I had never been to one before. For me I was going out of respect for my friends who were getting married. I knew nothing about what to expect so I did some research in advance. Again, this was out of respect for my friends.

I can't see any reason for you to go to any sort of religious ceremony on your own but going to show respect doesn't strike me as too much of a sacrifice.

Showing respect for the beliefs of others is needed for us to exist in a civilised society.

If you had a couple of vegan friends around for dinner you wouldn't serve them steak. You would serve them a mushroom risotto or something like that. In doing this you in no way undermine your own beliefs as a meat eater you simply show respect for your friends.
 
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