I really hate people trying to force me to socialise with people I don't know. You get this is Church, and hobby groups, and on courses too. I think most people hate it actually. Conversation, friendships, and relationships should be organic and natural, not forced.
Blimey - is this what we've all come to?
I was brought up to be polite and sociable in these situations, and I'm a shy introvert by nature. What would happen if we all only ever expected to socialise and make conversation with people we already know?
You say you go to church...well, I would have thought that churches of all places would expect their members to be welcoming and outgoing to new people!! It shouldn't be an exclusive club. What would Jesus say? Hmm - and I say that as an atheist.
I'm in a choir and one of the big things we try to get over to existing members is 'be friendly and welcoming to new people'. We've had just the above attitude in the past where a new person has come along (probably feeling nervous) only to be told by the person in the seat next to them that 'my friend sits there - you'll have to move!' Charming.
I blame the world of social media - anyone who makes small talk or reaches out to a stranger is somehow weird, when it used to be considered polite and a social skill.