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

Castiel · 9 Mar 2012 at 23:55

shifty_uk said:
Does anyone in the UK fully believe in god anymore? Other than the older generation and ethnic minorities. I haven't came across anyone of a similar age or younger that does.

I know a significant amount of people of all age groups that hold theist beliefs of one kind or another. In fact there seems to be more young evangelical Christians today than in my youth during the 1970's and '80s.

Much will depend on how broad your social group is.

Castiel · 9 Mar 2012 at 23:56

NW_SKINHEAD said:
Off topic slightly, I believe in God... I simply refuse to set foot inside a church for anything other than a Wedding, Christening or Funeral, chuches tend to attract the deeply ignorant and judgemental.

Are you being intentionally ironic?

Ahleckz · 9 Mar 2012 at 23:57

I got kicked out a church for wearing an afro wig when I was younger.

Menaces!

Vidar · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:05

Castiel said:
Are you being intentionally ironic?

I don't believe so, my faith is a personal thing, when I have gone to church in the past I have been shocked at how the people behave!

bhavv · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:07

shifty_uk said:
Does anyone in the UK fully believe in god anymore? Other than the older generation and ethnic minorities. I haven't came across anyone of a similar age or younger that does.

The chaplaincy at my university was a majority of white christian females mainly aged 18-21.

I've usually found that theistic wimmin are nice, very very nice. And they make good kitchen slaves.

The 'deeply ignorant, judgemental' and intolerant religious people I have come across were only males.

Arnie · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:12

bhavv said:
deeply ignorant... males.

kitchen slaves

Ahleckz · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:15

Don't worry about Bhav, he clearly likes to go around this forum making himself look like a right plonker at any possible opportunity. He's best ignored.

bhavv · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:21

Some people cant take a joke. I though that the women + kitchen joke was a widely used one on this forum, after all this is where I learnt it.

Its meant in the same way that so many people here write 'Send them back!', which is not really serious but a form a purposefully silly humour.

Castiel · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:34

NW_SKINHEAD said:
I don't believe so, my faith is a personal thing, when I have gone to church in the past I have been shocked at how the people behave!

I wasn't refering to your faith, but the irony of judging people as judgemental and ignorant simply because they attend Church....a sweeping judgement in itself is it not?

Incidently, what practices were you refering to?

Ahleckz · 10 Mar 2012 at 00:37

bhavv said:
Some people cant take a joke. I though that the women + kitchen joke was a widely used one on this forum, after all this is where I learnt it.

Its meant in the same way that so many people here write 'Send them back!', which is not really serious but a form a purposefully silly humour.

Perhaps some people are more mature than that, and the perpetuation of such a tired and sexist comment is wearing a bit thin.

setter · 10 Mar 2012 at 04:06

I was brought up catholic, went to catholic primary and secondary schools. My dad is a catholic, mum is church of ireland, (anglican). In northern ireland in the late 1960's, when they started going out with each other. It was very taboo, eventually my mums family came round to being ok about it. As a kid, i was baptised catholic, i went to catholic schools, but i spent a lot of time living with my protestant cousins, when mum was in hospital having my brothers and sisters. During those times, i went to anglican sunday school, and tbh it was no different from what i was taught at my catholic primary school. Weve got a saying over here, too much religion and not enough christianity. Basically, people over here think too much about being either catholic or protestant, they both end up forgetting what proper christian values are about.

MrMoonX · 10 Mar 2012 at 08:13

setter said:
I was brought up catholic, went to catholic primary and secondary schools. My dad is a catholic, mum is church of ireland, (anglican). In northern ireland in the late 1960's, when they started going out with each other. It was very taboo, eventually my mums family came round to being ok about it. As a kid, i was baptised catholic, i went to catholic schools, but i spent a lot of time living with my protestant cousins, when mum was in hospital having my brothers and sisters. During those times, i went to anglican sunday school, and tbh it was no different from what i was taught at my catholic primary school. Weve got a saying over here, too much religion and not enough christianity. Basically, people over here think too much about being either catholic or protestant, they both end up forgetting what proper christian values are about.

wait, you went to a catholic school and there wasn't any child abuse?

proft????

bhavv · 10 Mar 2012 at 09:16

Ahleckz said:
Perhaps some people are more mature than that, and the perpetuation of such a tired and sexist comment is wearing a bit thin.

A lot of devout religious women choose themselves to be housewives, and stay at home to clean, cook and raise the kids. No different really to being a kitchen slave.

m4rk84 · 10 Mar 2012 at 09:47

At Christmas time I sing carols with my 7 year old niece. Some of these carols go against my lack of belief in Santa Claus however I most definitely do not feel I'm betraying myself in order to support my niece's current beliefs.

At it's core belief in religion is the same sort of deal, sure it's sensationalized because of all the hate and controversy that surrounds it, however when you think about it, it isn't much different.

So at weddings I sing the carols and read the prayers, at funerals I do the same. So for me I see nothing wrong with going to Church with your girlfriend if you can spare the time and deem the time helpful to your relationship.

Ahleckz · 10 Mar 2012 at 09:59

bhavv said:
A lot of devout religious women choosethemselves to be housewives, and stay at home to clean, cook and raise the kids. No different really to being a kitchen slave.

This is the key.

RDM · 10 Mar 2012 at 10:47

As far as the OP goes I think it is a bit more complex than "Should I go to church?" and more "What does my partner expect of me in this relationship?".

If the intention is to get you to church, get you involved and try to get you to change your religious views this may be more of a problem than if it is just to spend a bit more time with you and get you to understand what her religious views are.

It varies quite a bit from person to person. I am happily married to a Catholic depsite not being at all religous whilst a friend of mine would not be able to marry someone outside of his specific church.

apatia77 · 10 Mar 2012 at 12:46

I like churches/cathedrals from architectural point of view.

Mr Krugga · 10 Mar 2012 at 13:02

Be respectful of her religion but you should absolutely not be obliged to do anything against your will, especially if it contradicts with your own beliefs. After all being tolerant has to work both ways.

However, if she wants you to participate in that part of her life, that is so important to her according to you, go with her tomorrow and see if you could stand coming with her from time to time.

All in all, Christian communities are not that bad, even though you might think some of their beliefs are ridiculous.

Fran · 10 Mar 2012 at 13:21

bhavv said:
A lot of devout religious women choose themselves to be housewives, and stay at home to clean, cook and raise the kids. No different really to being a kitchen slave.

Nice job on belittling what many women choose to do, it's not like many women have a degree themselves is it.

Isn't the OP's dilemma a bit academic ? He's said he is leaving the country soon, so really he is wasting her time when she could be more profitably looking for someone more suitable.

Surfer · 11 Mar 2012 at 18:17

Mr Krugga said:
Be respectful of her religion but you should absolutely not be obliged to do anything against your will, especially if it contradicts with your own beliefs. After all being tolerant has to work both ways.

However, if she wants you to participate in that part of her life, that is so important to her according to you, go with her tomorrow and see if you could stand coming with her from time to time.

All in all, Christian communities are not that bad, even though you might think some of their beliefs are ridiculous.

Well went to church today (11.30 - 1pm service)

starts off with 4 long long songs. everyone is standing singing, hands in the air, a few dancing. The words appear on a large projector screen. Songs are kinda happy clappy ? type. guitar, keyboard and small choir backup.

My gf complained later that i didnt sing...just stood there (like a lemon obviously) despite me saying i'm there to support her that doesnt mean i can turn into a christian overnight...and start singing and praising God.

After the sonngs ended finally...we had a sermon from one guy then the guy reported on local news and church events and a collection sack was passed round should you wish to donate.

Then we had the warmup act (as she described herself) to the main preacher guy (guy from uganda) He is actually a decent orator.

In all the words i heared they assume everyone there is a believer...(to go out and show the light of the lord within you in your community)

He goes on for a while as well and then it ends with one last song (mercifully short).

Prayer moments are quite uhh dynamic because the only clue that it is a prayer as suddenly most/everyone bows their head and says amen a few times etc. Obviously i dont do any of this....i looked round the church and saw NO one who was in a similar position to me (ie a non-believer) unless of course they were pretending to pray to keep in with everyone else.

Really rather uncomfortable. the main preacher of the church shakes everyones hands when they leave - which is nice of him....but i felt like a bit of a Judas shaking his hand and smiling.

Dont think i will be back to that....but hey i gave it a shot.