Is it OK to go to church if you don't believe in God?

[LindorDoubleChoc]

There's so many things I love about Church. I love the buildings, the rituals, the music, the choirs, the organ, the routine, the idea of the discipline of doing something on Sunday aside from blobbing around.

Recently I went to a high Anglican church service for the first time in my life (only been to weddings and funerals before) and found it fascinating. But I still don't believe in God and Jesus and the Bible and never will.

Is it wrong to become a regular Church goer in these circs? Is it hypocritical?

Of course you can. Lots of people go for the reasons you have given

100% okay

You'd definitely be welcome at my Church.

People go to church for all sorts of reasons. It's absolutely fine!

I thought I read a statistic once that a surprisingly large percentage of the clergy don't believe in God but, obviously, I can't find it now.

Definitely.

Just go!

Not at all .. in over 30 years of attending church most Sundays I honestly don't think anyone has asked me 'do you believe in God?'. There are many benefits to attending Church ... a sense of community, beautiful building, a time to be peaceful and still ... go and enjoy it .

Yep- I’m a fully signed up (most of the time) Catholic and it’s fine. In fact, I’m sure a lot of priests would love it if someone who didn’t believe in God turned up

I thought about it for a while. I liked the sense of community and the people that attended (the church I attended a few events at) were mostly lovely friendly folks.
But... I don't believe in God.

It’s fine. Don’t go up for communion if you don’t want to.
I like to just stand at the back and listen and meditate.

Absolutely OK. I love the rituals around the church for many different reasons and find great comfort in them without having any faith

Absolutely fine to go.

I would. I enjoyed it when we had to go to hear our banns being read and I found it very peaceful.

It's completely fine.

I found in the end i had to stop going but this was me for some time.

Totally fine, Anglican churches are there for everyone.

I always think someone's beliefs are personal and private. If you want to go then go.
Church and religion can offer great comfort.
I like visiting old churches even though I don't believe.

I attend church every Sunday because the Catholic school near me is rated Excellent by Ofsted and the non-religious school is rated Requires Improvement. I don’t believe in God at all but I attend and contribute more than some of the believers.

I go just to keep my nan company. I also admit I do enjoy belting out my favourite hymns.

You can - just don't take Communion if you don't believe in Jesus's atoning death.

I go sometimes for exactly those reasons. It brings me peace in a way.

That's so sad and weird. You'd think that would be the bare minimum criteria for the job.

By grandmother went her whole life and didn’t believe in it . She loved the music and the people .

I thought the "church" was actually the people/community anyway, rather than the building or priest or institutional side of it. So in some ways going to church is all about being one of the people. You can believe in a lot of Jesus teachings without needing to believe in all of them. And you never know when you may feel differently about the faith aspect.

People coming together for the common good is always an uplifting experience.

I like nothing more than a good church choir. Or a day spent in Westminster Abbey.

If you're going to attend regularly then it's polite to join the tea and coffee rota.