to be amazed at people going to church

[Hullygully]

I really didn't think anyone still did the whole church on Sunday thing (this is not meant rudely, am just genuinely amazed).

Why do you go?

Don't you go out dancing and drinking on Sat and have a terrible hangover?

Or don't you want to have a lie-in with the papers?

Do you have roast dinner after?

Where do you live?

Perhaps you went to a different kind of church then. I couldn't stomach a church that only told it sickly sweet - like madhairday my kids like the gorey stories, and sometimes there is more to learn from them that way.

The Larkin poem reminds me of "Little Gidding" one of the "four quartets" (I think) by TS Elliot.

I often go to Little Gidding with my Quaker community on a sort of pilgrimage for the day. He describes "Little Gidding" as "a place where prayer has been valid" which is pretty good I think.

Saying that, toddlers love the pictures in a NOah's Ark book

I did quite like the board book version a churchy friend gave DD when small, which had two rabbits boarding and a lot more rabbits disembarking

Grimma

re the Alpha Course - just to clear up a few misconceptions.

Alpha is an Anglican initiative - very orthodox.

Its logo is a question mark to show that guests are free to ask questions. That is the whole point. The format of the course is a meal together where churchy conversation is all but banned - this is to emphasise that Christians are interested in people as individuals and that friendship is a key value. There is a talk to introduce the topic of the evening. After that, everyone breaks into small groups where they can discuss the talk, ask questions, trash it, share experiences etc.

Alpha starts off very 'safe', with a few weeks of basic history and broad doctrine. By mid course, it starts to get more intimate. Some people who come to Alpha are happy to learn about Jesus the man, about his death, the bible etc, but respectfully decline when it comes to the relationship stuff. Some come to faith in Alpha. Some persevere through the course without 'getting it', but maintain contact with the church because of friendships made. Alpha is for all these people.

As Christians, we have been commanded to tell others about Jesus. We just make the introductions and God does the rest. If people do not respond to the invitation, it is not for us to judge or reason. We should not stop being friendly or helpful because we do not live on God's timings.

I'm not sure you're just "clearing up a few misconceptions" though CB

• everyone has a POV, especially when it comes to religion

That's absolutely fair enough, but I think it's best to be aware of it, and acknowledge that that's the case. ( Which tbf perhaps you did later in the post )

As a non-believer I often wish there was an equivalent of church that I could go to and these are my reasons:

1 Church forces you to have some time for quiet contemplation. Something I think we could all benefit from.

1. There are often uplifting speakers who talk about their experiences of life and make you consider things from another's point of view.
2. You all have a good old sing song which is v cathartic.
3. It brings people together as a village/community and fosters friendships that wouldn't come about under any other circumstances, typically between people of different ages, classes...etc all chatting together outside.
4. You feel really good afterwards.

Unfortunately no such thing appears to exist....maybe I should start one!

yy to Mop

It is the coming together for a common good that I find uplifting. In my 20s (many years ago) I had a friend who did a post grad degree in Worcester. Whenever I went to stay with her we would go to Worceser Cathedral on a Sunday morning just to hear the choir boys sing. Twas truly wondrous.

I have had vaguely the same feeling at hockey/football/netball matches but then there is an elemenet of competition. In a church or cathedral there it is more calming.

I agree with Mop. It doesn't have to be a religious gathering, but an idea like this could be very uplifting for the people involved.

I'm on to something here girls! Lets do it in the backyard!

Do we have a backyard? It is raining here.

Maybe we could do a virtual hand hold and a bit of singing. Do we have MN song?

My nominations:

"What A Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong)
"The Bear Necessities" (The Jungle Book)
"Bring Me Sunshine" (Morecambe & Wise)
"Somebody To Love" (Queen)
"Morning Has Broken" (Cat Stevens)
"You Got The Love" (Candi Staton)

I think some of these do have religious bits in but could be adapted? Right, all ready?.....

hackmum, just to make you happy, to get my dd into the local c of e school. Initially, but Now I really enjoy going and have met some lovely people and am glad I started to go.

re: Quakers - there is quite a wide range of belief among Friends. Some would describe themselves as Christian and can have quite similar theology to evangelicals; some are more social gospel oriented; some would not describe themselves as Christians, or even as theists -v close to Unitarians. What they tend to have in common is an emphasis on the Holy Spirit, or the Light, rejection of outward sacraments and acknowledgement of the priesthood of all believers.

Mop We had Wonderful World at my Mum's funeral and it always makes me cry, but that is probably OK no?

I can belt out a great rendition of Somebody to Love.

No to Canid Staton (if I am thinking of the right song)

I can hear it now Exit, you backed by a gospel type choir...go girl!

Oh yes, I'm rocking and clapping, in a big white frock.

I'm doing the harmonies "Need somebody to Luu-u-urve I..."

I am channelling my inner Brother Lee Love.

Ha Ha. You feel great now don't you? See what I mean? Same time next week? Come on fellow aetheists, join us! What shall we call it? The Church of the Poisoned Mind"?

yes i go to church on a Sunday. i don't go every Sunday i go when i need to. that may sound selfish but i suffer with depression and i find when I'm having a bad time, going to church sitting quietly reflecting and just listening clears my head and my soul.
i go to a 'family' service so its at 11.00am so not too early.
i enjoy the community and belonging.
i go for lunch after or go and do my horses whatever i fancy.
and finally i live in west London and attend a very old beautiful church dated in the doomsday book 1086 AD. me and my son were christened there last year. i love it my family have never been very religious and it was my own choice to be baptized as an adult.

Has anyone mentioned hair of the dog after a late Saturday night?....just saying.... Haven't read whole thread

I think you must have led a very sheltered life, OP. I know loads of people who go to church regularly - heck, some of them are even under 50!

Obv only applies to Cof E.
I like the 8 o'clock, no singing and beautiful service