I don't really believe in God and yet I started going to church

[titaniumsalute]

I spent years feeling guilty after my Catholic upbringing about not believing in God. It was easier once I stopped going to church. The fairy tale known as the Resurrection is beyond my reality. I believe Jesus lived, I believe he tried to do good, I believe he was murdered, end of story.

I have a hobby of playing the organ (insert joke here) and have been subbing in churches for years. I play some hymns and get paid for it. Not bad. Once we moved to FL though we started going to a First United Methodist Church. The people are not what i have encountered in most churches with right wing nuts, rallying against gays and abortion, intolerant, against birth control, etc. They seem to embrace everyone. They also are probably the most active church in the area for giving back to the community with food drives, homeless shelters, etc. I sit during church and listen to the fairy tales but the people seem good and wanting to help others which I see as a liberal cause.

It has been kind of a weird transformation. Am I nuts?

[ZombieHorde]

1. My personal opinion claims many people go to church for community more than faith.

I have not seen any studies, so this is just a guess.

[intheflow]

8. I learned that while in seminary

in a course called society and the church.

[bananas]

2. k&r nt

[JuniperLea]

3. Not nuts at all...

Human beings naturally seek something greater than ourselves, and there is great power in myth. Read Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" and I'm betting you'll get what's going on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Myth

I agree about the Methodists... they are a much kinder, gentler lot who seem to have actually read about Jesus' life and aspire to be Christ-like.

[titaniumsalute]

26. Great link thanks

[Uben]

4. Nuts? No.

As long as you are at peace with your beliefs you are good.

[bigwillq]

5. If you enjoy it, why stop?

Not weird. Not nuts.

[Safetykitten]

6. Well if you had to pick a place to pull that off, the Methodists are perfect.

[safeinOhio]

7. About the most liberal church in the country

has got to be my Unitarian Universalist Church. The last time JC name was mentioned was when the janitor bumped his head going down the basement steps.

[Yooperman]

20. I was going to mention the U.U. if someone hadn't. IF there was an organizaton that I would feel

welcome they would be the ones. Great people and wonderful philosophy. I had been going thru some rough times and my 19 year old daughter thought they would be a good fit for the way I felt about religions. So she and I went a few times and I was really impressed with their non-judgmental attitude.

I would have continued however, the meeting place (a shared synagog) was a bit to far for me to drive too every weekend.... and my daughter moved out of the area.

:toast:

[safeinOhio]

22. I love the UU and the UP.

:toast:

[Yooperman]

29. Born and raised up here....:-)

Moved away for over 30 years and moved back last spring. It's good to be back... I fished more this last summer than I have in the previous 3 decades! Brook trout, Browns and Rainbows..caught over 50 this last season...I even came up with a new life quote...

"All things are right when fishing on the Sturgeon River!"

[safeinOhio]

31. Boy do I miss Brook trout

Moved to Ohio 5 years ago and can't get use to reservoir fishing. Lake Erie perch and walleye help a little. Will always remember the wild canoe trip down the Ishpeming river in 74. I was always a looper, but crossed the bridge many time.. Remember crossing before the big Mac was done by boat.

[Yooperman]

38. Well that dates you...lol... The bridge opened the year I was born...

I can't even guess the number of times I have crossed the Mighty Mac... yet every time I cross I am in awe of the engineering that went into it... it's amazing what our government can do when it's done properly. :-)

[patrice]

9. Lots of people don't believe in the blasphemies sold with that label.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I'm a devout agnostic but I sing in two church choirs.

I like the music, and the services don't bother me. Christianity would be a good idea if people actually followed it.

[canuckledragger]

11. You're not nuts

...you just happened to find sincere group that walks the walk

I'm an atheist myself but was drawn to a local church (non-denominational, they had speakers from all different kinds of faiths) because it was run by younger folks like myself & were actively helping the community like the ways you describe.

You don't have to believe in 'god' to want to be part of a loving, caring, active community...

[titaniumsalute]

27. True thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

I feel a little bit like I am cheating though while everyone sits praying I look out the window. I find prayer bizarre. If God has an all-knowing, pre-destined plan what good does praying do?

[canuckledragger]

28. Prayer isn't necessarily a strictly religious thing

I think in essence it's supposed to be a humbling thing, to let go of the ego & help you realize you don't have all the answers, to help make you open & willing take guidance from somewhere else. (at least that's a way I take it)

An atheist can take that step back & recognize the need for guidance when facing a troubling situation, It's just not thought of as prayer I think. (think 'meditation')

I remember hearing somewhere describing God as that small voice in the whirlwind that you have to calm & humble yourself (prayer) to hear. (the voice of reason)

[titaniumsalute]

30. Good points...thanks!

[canuckledragger]

34. no problem!

:]

[piratefish08]

12. whatever makes you happy - it's nobody's business but yours and the God you don't believe in.......

:)

[deucemagnet]

13. Many athiests belong to UU churches for the very reasons you describe.

I don't believe in God, and I've thought about joining a UU church myself.

[pipi_k]

14. I don't think it's weird at all...

some people who DO believe in God don't go to church

Whatever makes you happy

:)

[alc]

15. church, beleif in God, and religion are all different/separate

All 3 are combined in many people's lives. People often have 2 but not the other 1, or even 1 but not the other 2.

Going to church without believing in God or religion can be very rewarding as long as you're honest with the other church goers and they are supportive of your being some part of them (most churches to have you there if you're honest up front).

Believing in God without going to church or even being religious also works for many people.

I can't express my definition of religion very well but I've known people I'd call "religious" who don't go to church or believe in a God. Some people say religion needs to include God, but I think it's more about living a belief system that may be based on a god or on nature or society.

That's coming from an atheist who can enjoy just about any church (if the members will let me) and who can see how belief in God has a positive influence on many people (and negative influence on others)

[Warpy]

16. No. Some people need the kind of community that churches supply

while others of us are complete loners.

There are great liberal churches out there. A friend found an Episcopalian one in Mass. Other friends have gravitated toward the UU and Quakers.

I'm glad you found a good one. They can be the source of a great deal of social support.

[LWolf]

17. No.

The basic, underlying fundamental purpose of church is to bring people together, to create community, to support each other, to grow in enlightenment, and to explore the unanswered questions about our existence.

In my opinion, of course.

It meets the need of people to have a leader to follow. We aren't all alphas. People feel more secure with a strong leader. It's why even the worst leaders can gather so much power.

There have been many enlightened people, "christs," over the course of human history; some have been enlightened enough and charismatic enough to gather many followers. Jesus is one.

The dogma, the rituals...they are for comfort and security. The need for the human spirit to "connect" is, I believe universal. No matter the connection.

I'm not a Christian, but I think our world would be a much better, more enlightened place if all the people who claim to follow Jesus followed his example and lived and interacted the way his life has been recorded. The only time I remember him showing anger was at corruption in the temple. He WAS an earlier version of OWS.

There are some churches that try to do that; they just aren't the loudest, they don't get the notice.

I think it's fine to do the work of growth, community, and connection where ever you find yourself, and in whatever path you feel called to.

[DrDan]

18. of course not - if you can relate to other members of the church, and feel they

are productive withing the community, then sounds like you have found a worthwhile way to spend some time.

And those "fairy tales" - perhaps they are not meant to be taken literally - but to pass along lessons.

[qb]

19. I've occasionally attended a gay-affirming Catholic church in Minneapolis with a friend.

As an atheist, I found it to be a friendly place to be, with contemporary music & uplifting messages about helping those in need. They welcomed everyone, "where ever you may be on your journey".
The priest even joked about the existence of spies from a conservative church in St. Paul collecting dirt on him to report to the bishop!

[banned from Kos]

21. I bet 40% of the people in your church don't believe in an afterlife

if they would be honest.

[Deep13]

23. You're only nuts if you don't know what you are doing. nt

[Taverner]

24. What kind of organ do they have?

I don't miss church, but I do loves me some well played organ

[titaniumsalute]

25. They have an older model Rodgers organ

Not bad and gets the job done. I'd prefer a pipe organ but their sanctuary is not built for a pipe organ.

[MarkCharles]

32. Unfortunately, Atheists don't have weekly meetings, great organs, centuries of wonderful music nor.

a great group of people who want to get together, sing, maybe dance, maybe share a meal or two, maybe chat and have bridge clubs, choirs, choruses, dozens of kids to look pretty all dressed up, week after week.

So, if you can go there, have a great time with fellow human-beings who enjoy what you enjoy, fine!

There's even nothing wrong with "going through the motions", of singing, even praying with the words... it is all fun to do, but we know we do it ONLY for fun.

For me, when I go to church, when I drive an elderly man to Christmas vesper choral service or something like that, once a year or so, or go to a wedding, or something like that, I have fun, too.

Being an atheist doesn't force us not to have fun with our theist friends, singing and dancing and all that.

[edhopper]

33. This is not meant as a criticism

since there are aspects you enjoy. But what do you do to occupy your mind while the congregation and minister go on and on about a God that doesn't exist and his non-existing son who every one is praying to?
Do you think about the waste in time and thought on these fairy tales.

(He's an atheist folks, I am sure he has no problem with my characterization.)

[Thats my opinion]

36. Instead of your usual blast,

Why don't you take a breath and just listen to someone who is exploring something important to him. If what you said is not a criticism, I don't know the definition of the word.

[cleanhippie]

37. Why don't YOU take a breath and listen to what HE said. He asked a QUESTION, he didn't criticize..

It WASN'T criticism, it was a question, a very VALID question that comes directly to the mind of a non-believer. Perhaps if you came down off your high horse and took just a second to see HIS point of view, you might understand.


You DON'T know the definition of the word, instead you give it your own meaning.

[edhopper]

39. You completely misread my post.

I assumed he felt the same way about the beliefs of those he is in church with. I have had similar experiences when going to churches and temples for family events. So I wondered how he feels while the rest of the group is praying and praising an entity which he, as he has stated, does not believe exists.
Frankly this is a conversation between atheist and I don't think you have anything to add.
We have had ample time on this board to discuss our differences. (many times you fail to respond to my post)
I will start a new thread on this subject which I welcome your involvement, but telling me I am blasting religion to another atheist is like criticizing the members of DU for "blasting" republicans.

[eridani]

35. No. If I were in a small town, I'd be doing the same thing

In a large urban area, there are many outlets for my do-gooder and social reform instincts. There are quite a few places where joining a church is your best opportunity for doing those things.

[Angry Dragon]

40. The OP and the following posts were one of the nicest

threads I have ever seen in r/t

A job well done everyone
and I hope all of you find love in your life...............

[Odin2005]

41. Find a UU congregation.