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Original poster

Does anyone go to church and not believe in God?

87 replies

OhDear2200 · 22/09/2019 17:12

I’m curious, I’ve been a dip in and out of church (C of E) through my life.

Can’t decide if I believe or not. But is it so bad continuing to go/be involved in the church community if I don’t believe? I like the routine, meeting people and singing Blush

Just wonder if I am the only one!!!

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 22/09/2019 19:22

Me. Although we don't go very often now the dc's are older.
I like the cultural, historical and reflective parts of it. And I do like a good moral bible story.

HeronLanyon · 22/09/2019 19:27

chôma could not agree more.

Ratcatcher9 · 22/09/2019 19:36

Me. I go every now and then. Don't believe any of it but I like the simplicity of it. The songs, the church building itself, the smell, the sound of feet on stone, the sound of the organ. I try to get peace from it.

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Philosophy & religion
EssexGurl · 22/09/2019 19:36

I would suggest the majority of the congregation at my church were only there to get into the primary school. Attendance drops off as soon as deadline day approaches. Old vicar was very chilled about it - reasoned at least while they went they contributed, then a new set of families took over the next year. He saw it as a way to kept congregation numbers up.

Older members pretty much seem to do it for the social standing side. Only those of us in our early 50s not needing to do it for school or social standing probably believe properly.

TeaAddict235 · 22/09/2019 19:36

Agree agree agree @chomalungma

Add Blair, Trump and Putin to your list. All three claim to be followers of Christ.

Twickerhun · 22/09/2019 19:44

Gosh the sweeping generalisations On here about clergy and C of E church attendees is shocking.

CuntForThisOne · 22/09/2019 19:46

I don't believe in God for a fraction of a second. In fact, I'm a hardcore atheist. Love going to church, though. Nobody can nag me, ring me up, email me, blah, blah. The music is beyond wonderful. The rituals are comforting. It's great. It's a form of meditation for me.

TreacherousPissFlap · 22/09/2019 19:50

DH goes weekly (he says he's got to that age where he's hedging his bets "in case it's true Grin) He's currently boring enlightening DS and I about the finer points of bell ringing.

I enjoy the sense of community and it allows me an opportunity to be grateful for what I have. I can't honestly say I believe in one omnipotent God, and that confuses me.

chomalungma · 22/09/2019 19:53

He saw it as a way to kept congregation numbers up

Grin

Both sets of people using the system.

I wonder what God thinks?

lboogy · 22/09/2019 19:55

I do believe in God but I'm not sure I believe in organised religion. I do however go to church but I haven't been in close to 5 months . I was more actively going when was TTCing. I just needed an outlet for my grief / anxiety/ anger at my useless womb

Original poster
OhDear2200 · 22/09/2019 22:15

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm with Cuntforthisone - it's the chance to be still. If that means 'faking' it, well who's to know?

I guess I'm also a 'bum on seat'.

Will now look around the church with fresh eyes.

DISCLAIMER- I utterly respect people's beliefs.

OP posts:
CuntForThisOne · 23/09/2019 07:32

Being still is a good thing, OhDear2200. When I go to church, which I do a fair bit, I know I'm probably in with a mixture of believers and non-believers and in-betweeners. I sometimes get taken for a 'genuine' churchgoer, but just go along with it. It's not doing anyone any harm, and it would be pretty offensive to a believer if I said: "I'm only here for the music and silence". After all, I'm using their place of worship for my own purposes, so it would be a bit CF for me to start rubbishing it.

As for the liturgical stuff: it's funny, as my mum is horrified that I will even set foot in a church (she's also an atheist). However, I think that you can still say all the words as an atheist. In fact, if you are a genuine atheist, you would think that the words are just that: words. So what's the harm in saying them along with everyone else?

Hairsprayqueeen · 23/09/2019 07:47

I dont go to church but I'm an atheist and I do like churches. I like to travel about England and always will check the churches out, I think they have a nice calm atmosphere. I also have a friend who visits weekly just to sit and think, despite being a mon believer.

Lessstressedhemum · 23/09/2019 09:59

I know quite a few people who come to church regularly but don't actually believe. Some are searching, some just like the hour of peace and a good sing.
It doesn't matter why you come along or what you get out of it. We are just pleased to see you. It is our job as Christians to care for everyone regardless of their belief or otherwise. Or it should be.

Raindrops2019 · 23/09/2019 11:51

@Lessstressedhemum but we are not a running tap. I am exhausted from the constant 'pull' on us to be everything to everyone with nothing left for those who genuinely seek the kind of insight and guidance that comes from being an active participant of a faith. When does it let up? I feel like we are now in a situation where everyone can take from us but nobody is giving back and I need replenishing.

ForalltheSaints · 23/09/2019 12:31

I expect there are some, such as those who attend Church to get their child a place at the local school, or those who attend with a family member who does.

Teacup34 · 23/09/2019 12:52

It's not a bad thing at all to be in church even if you are not sure you believe, you definately won't be the only one!! But if you do want to encourage your faith you could try an alpha course or a Bible study group.

roisinagusniamh · 23/09/2019 12:55

Ha! Pop into a catholic church in Ireland on a random Sunday and you'll see lots of non believers.

CuntForThisOne · 23/09/2019 14:39

I am exhausted from the constant 'pull' on us to be everything to everyone with nothing left for those who genuinely seek the kind of insight and guidance that comes from being an active participant of a faith. When does it let up? I feel like we are now in a situation where everyone can take from us but nobody is giving back and I need replenishing

I'm sorry you feel that way, Raindrops2019, but I'm not sure that someone simply attending church services and otherwise minding their own business is really a 'pull' on anyone else, or is 'taking' anything (other than very privately). I respect the beliefs of the 'genuine' congregation at my chosen church, and wouldn't do anything to suggest otherwise - but I don't actively ask for anything either.

Baguetteaboutit · 23/09/2019 14:43

From how my friend talks about church, it sounds distinctly like a front for a networking event.

campion · 23/09/2019 15:05

Most churchgoers aren't asked and so don't tell about what they believe. I often wonder.
I suppose the fact that you're there taking part makes clergy assume you have some belief. Especially if you take part in communion.

Trouble is, people have so many different beliefs. I can't believe that anyone really thinks that something magical happens to a wafer and some wine but apparently some do.

I do think that the Church of England has missed a trick or two in not being more honest and encouraging people to challenge some of these basic tenets. Bishop David Jenkins was more my cup of tea when he said (to drastically paraphrase...)a lot of it's just folk belief and stories. However,there are still some truths worth extracting even if you don't believe most of it. I don't think believing in God...whatever that means...is at all necessary for church attendance.

And the Anglican music tradition is definitely worth celebrating...so find somewhere that does it well and go there!

Paddington68 · 23/09/2019 15:16

I don't mind if you believe or not.
What I believe in is up to me.
If you find strength, peace, comfort from going to church, in this crazy world then I think that's good.
If you try a be less of a cnut because of it, that's really good.

Ratcatcher9 · 23/09/2019 15:27

Hear, hear, Paddington.

riotlady · 23/09/2019 16:32

I’m sort of the opposite in that I’m a fairly consistent believer but only sporadic attender. I actually think it’s sort of lovely that church can still provide so much even for people who don’t believe.

GoldenEvilHoor · 23/09/2019 16:52

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