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?

I don't believe in God and I used to sing in the choir.

Hi OP. I believe in God and attend Church fairly regularly. My friend does not share my beliefs at all but quite often he’ll ask to join me on Sunday mornings. He said he enjoys being part of the congregation (they’re a particularly nice group on the whole) and the feeling of calm. He surprised me when he said that although he absolutely does not believe in God there have been times when he’s been having some sort of stress or worry in his life and attending Church has given him a great deal of comfort. I’m so happy that something so important to me is also able to provide my best friend with support

Euphemistically known as “struggling with their faith”.

I'm agnostic and teach the Sunday School . I don't go round broadcasting the agnostic part. I just like the music, the ritual and the community. I have made almost all my local friends through the church.

Nice To see the replies here, I would have thought it was a bit odd too OP but seems not.
i don’t believe in god but often when we are on holiday somewhere dh and I drag the kids into pretty looking churches - the architecture is usually stunning. Not during services (I for one would be pretty bored, I was taken to church sometimes as a child and then used to accompany an aunt as a teenager), but just during the daytime. Such pretty peaceful places.

i definitely get the bit about liking the building etc (I love a good church visit) but it’s quite odd to attend services, the whole point of which are to worship a god you don’t believe in. Are you lonely?

I love to go to church with my strict C of E school, it's a beautiful building and hearing people sing is one of humankind's better qualities. I'd love to be a bell ringer too.

From my experience, High Anglican churches often have really shoddy preaching, but incredible liturgy. One Christmas I couldn't get to my normal CoE church so went to the local High Anglican one. About 90% of the service we were all stood, reciting prayers and orders and thanksgivings and creeds to one another, and it was so uplifting and powerful speaking all that wonderful truth with one voice. But the sermon was dreadful - just some sentimental ramblings without any reference to scripture. If you want really well-researched, lucid, powerful Bible teaching, try an evangelical Anglican church like All Souls or one of its sister churches. Some of these are more traditional and have both a lot of the great liturgy, rousing hymns and good quality preaching.

Up to 16% of Anglican priests are 'unclear' about God (and 2% are non believers)

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/survey-finds-2-of-anglican-priests-are-not-believers-9821899.html?amp

There was a whole 'Yes Prime Minister' episode about clergy not believing in God. Jim Hacker had to pick a Bishop and apparently believe in God wasn't an essential attribute.

I chose a new church which does a lot of direct community action. Refugees, homelessness, ex-offenders and so on.

I can get behind that even when the miracles seem unlikely. When everyone pulls together to feed a couple of hundred people on a tiny budget at short notice, as sometimes happens, I look at the feeding of the five thousand in a more allegorical way, anyway.

It's absolutely fine.

I went for years while doubting the spouted bollocks doctrine.

I just regret wasting the time and the abuse hell-fear inculcated in me as a child.

It's absolutely fine, and how it should be viewed.

We are very rural, my parents attend weekly, I do not.

However,I run toddlers from the church, messy play. A safe space for people to come.

We do weekly prescription runs, show films, offer transport for appointments. Our minister, visits vulnerable people daily. To provide company or messages.

The church is a beautiful building in the heart of our community.

The elders, minister, choir, congregation and organist are a mix from all backgrounds, races, ages and sexuality's,

We just all want kindness and community support

You are absolutely encouraged and welcomed to attend church for any reason that isn't nefarious! Belief is not required.

Yes it’s fine! People go for all sorts of reasons. The previous vicar of our church even wrote a book called “Christian Atheist,” about people who go to church but don’t believe in God (or whose beliefs are uncertain or unconventional).

We got married in a church and had to go a certain number of times before as it wasn't in our local parish.
We were very upfront that we weren't religious, but everyone was so welcoming despite that. We didn't 'know' how to do things at first - when to stand/sing/sit/take communion, but that was no problem. We still go occasionally.

Absolutely fine.

Our local church has recognised 'types' of people who get involved with services and other activities. These include believers, attenders (who don't believe ) and friends who are interested in preserving the fabric of the church. All welcome.

Whenever DH (Catholic) and I are on holiday we go to church. Gives you a different insight into where you are staying

Some people just go for company, or to get warm. It’s fine.

I was a chorister for years, even long after I decided I didn’t believe in much of it. I still love to sing hymns and go occasionally and especially for carol singing

Of course, deffo go 💕

You'd be welcome at mine. Church shouldn't be a hive mind. We've got atheists/agnostics/Christians. We don't all have to believe in the same things. Even the Christian members all have differing opinions on who exactly Jesus is.

Totally fine. Churches have a good community feel if nothing else.

We used to go when the children were young as there was an excellent choir that we all sang in and the children had some brilliant musical experiences and made some nice friends. None of us are believers - but the church was very happy to have skilled musicians on board!

Of course you can. God would be very happy to see you there