Agnostic interested in Christianity - AIBU?

[Tailypo]

I was reading this article recently and it got me thinking. Originally, it made me think about possibly getting baptised, but I think that I'd definitely prefer to take things slowly first and really reflect before making any decisions like getting baptised.

I was brought up in a non-religious family, so wasn't christened or anything. Although I went to church services with school and sang hymns in assemblies, I never went to church regularly outside of this.

My Dad was brought up in a religious family and was very involved in the church when he was a boy (Sunday school, weekly church service, choirboy etc.), but then felt when he was a teenager that he didn't believe in God anymore and has been an atheist ever since.

Although my Mum's now a British citizen, she was brought up in a different country under Communism, so she wasn't taught about religion at school or brought up in a religious family.

I was always allowed by my parents to make up my own mind, and they've always encouraged me to decide for myself whether I wanted to be religious or not.

I've thought seriously over the years whether I'm interested in following different religions or whether I'm an agnostic or atheist. As a teenager, I would have described myself as an atheist, although over the last few years, I've leant much more towards being agnostic. At university, I took part in a few chapel services, and took a lot of comfort from this involvement. Since then, I have taken comfort from various ideas attached to Christianity, and this has been a huge source of support. I went with friends to services at churches for different Christian denominations during this time as well. I'm also really open to finding out more about Christianity, as I never really learned much about it. I've also just returned from holiday in Italy, where I saw quite a few religious buildings and religious art. At the moment, I can't think of a better way of describing it other than to say that it had a huge effect on me, as when I visited Paris a few years ago and saw some churches there.

I'm very interested in the idea of going along to different churches for services to see which ones might suit me best. I'm based in London at the moment. Would anyone have any ideas of churches where I could go perhaps? I'm particularly interested in Anglican churches, as so far this has resonated with me most from the services that I've been to so far, although others may also be of interest.

AIBU to be interested in Christianity as an agnostic?

Thanks :)

Of course YANBU. If you have a faith that there is a God and that there is greater meaning to life than what first appears then why not. I would say though that if it's Christianity you are interested in them you also have to believe that Jesus Christ is either the son of God or part of God/God. Otherwise you could investigate other faiths also. There isn't just Christianity. There is a lot out there. It's worth really looking into.

Speaking as someone who converted to Islam from Christianity.

I'm an agnostic or atheist
I am both . I don't believe any god exists, nor do I think it's possible to know if any god exists.

YANBU in the slightest to explore your belief/lack of/development.

I just wanted to add this as well: I fully understand that considering becoming a Christian is a commitment and a way of life.

Although I do feel that my interest in it is genuine and deep, I'm wondering how I can know whether my interest comes from being attracted to the idea of it and the 'romanticism' of it (ie. the art, music, 'ritual' of it). How can I separate the two and know how deep my interest is? (Sorry if that doesn't make much sense - I'm finding it hard to explain!) It may be because I don't really know anyone who's particularly religious and, of the people I do know who are Christian, I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them about this as it's so personal and feels a bit intrusive (and could be taken to be offensive maybe).

Try going to an alpha course if you want to learn more. www.htb.org/

YANBU at all.

If you have a feeling there might be something in it for you then you should go and explore. You never know until you try.

I go often to church and I would say I was a 'sort of' believer. But I get a lot of comfort and calm from the regular ritual of the Sunday service, I like the community feel, I like having a cup of tea and a chat with other churchgoers on a Sunday, people I might never cross paths with otherwise. I like the good things they do in the community. Sometimes I listen to the sermon and think 'really?' but on the whole I feel better when I go out than when I went in so I keep going.

Of course it's not unreasonable. Any Christian church should be happy for you to come along to services and speak to the minister and ask questions.

Do you actually believe in God?

I went to a catholic school and grew up believing in God, I've been atheist for about 10 years since reading the god delusion but I do miss all the rituals of church and singing hymns. I still think churches are lovely places and often have interesting histories but don't think I need to believe anything to enjoy the history and architecture.

I'm wondering how I can know whether my interest comes from being attracted to the idea of it and the 'romanticism' of it (ie. the art, music, 'ritual' of it).

If you were completely against faith then you wouldn't enjoy the rituals, you would think they are a load of rubbish. So if taking part, or watching, makes you feel good then there must be something in it for you. Same with the music, if it makes you feel calmer or stronger or better, if the words bring you peace or good feelings. If you were singing the words thinking 'what nonsense' then you are in the wrong place.

teaandakitkat you've hit the nail on the head - that's absolutely it for me as well. The reasons you've mentioned are what I love about religion and beliefs (not necessarily just Christianity).

I think I've also come to realise that if I did decide to follow a religion (Christianity or another religion), I would still be free to believe some aspects but not necessarily everything, as you mention, tea, in your post about not necessarily believing or accepting everything said in sermons.

I'm a Christian and it's great you're looking into what the faith is all about. I'd second doing an Alpha course, or Christianity Explored if you can find a local church doing that one.

I'd say that baptism is a public statement that you've become a Christian so save that for when you're sure you are. The key questions to answer are who is Jesus and what was the point of the cross? Your answers will tell you if you're a Christian or not.

Mrs I believe in Jesus, but I'm still not sure about God. I feel like I don't know enough about it yet, if that makes sense, to decide either way. I do appreciate though that I would have to believe in God before deciding whether to follow a religion.

I believe in Jesus, but I'm still not sure about God.

How would you describe who Jesus is?

Purple thanks for your post. In terms of the key questions you've mentioned, could you explain them please? Do you mean: what Jesus means to me personally and what the cross means to me personally? As in, what Jesus's choice to die on the cross means to me? Sorry - I'm being a bit thick

St James' Piccadilly is a lovely CofE church in London. They are very pro-LGBT and politically engaged, and they take music, art etc. seriously and create beautiful but accessible services.

Try an alpha course?

Sorry tali I think I might have been expecting you to guess what was in my head.

I was wondering whether you thought Jesus was a really good man with good ideas, whether he is the son of god, or maybe something else entirely.

Thinking about Jesus dying on the cross, what do you think the whole reason for that was?

Obviously you don't have to answer, I was just thinking about what might help clarify whether you're a Christian or not and what might be a good thing to do next.

Alpha course. I went had a brilliant time and reaffirmed my faith. then helped out many times on these courses. It's a perfect introduction.

I knew a person brought up in a committed atheist household. In her late 30s she ststered to take an interest in Christianity. She later went on an Alpha course and found this hugely beneficial in answering her questions and she got baptised about a year after that. I'd start with finding a church you like, then try an alpha course.

Hello Tailypo. I'd second the advice to try a course. - alpha or Christianity explored - but do make sure it's offered from a place which feels ok. There are some churches of the more fundamentalist type which are rather more dogmatic, so it's worth checking websites to see where they are coming from.

Yanbu at all to explore. You have every right to. I believe art, beauty, literature etc are all part of spirituality so it makes a great deal of sense when they promote a positive reaction in us. If you'd like you're welcome to join us on the Christian chat thread on the philosophy and religion board, we mainly go for irreverent chatter but often have wide ranging discussions about faith. And biscuits.

Biscuits are very important.

Are any of your friends Christians? You can ask them questions - they would be more than happy to talk to you about it. Definitely look into a course like Alpha or Christianity Explored - go with a friend if you can.

There are lots of good churches in London...it's hard to recommend one if we don't know what area you are in....

Holy Trinity Brompton, All Soul's Langham Place, St Helen's Bishopsgate, Christ Church Kensington, Christ Church Mayfair (all central)...
This map might help (for slightly less central churches)? co-mission.org/ourchurches/

Any church would be DELIGHTED to welcome someone interested in finding out more x

Tailypo, I could have been you a couple of years ago. I chatted to some pretty great people in the religion section in here, and got some really good book recommendations. I will post the details later, if you are interested. I went to the Advent services in a beautiful but big enough to be anonymous cathedral. By the time midnight mass came along I felt ready to start exploring actual Christianity and made a new years resolution to open myself to the possibility of it. I started listening to the meditations on Pray as You Go www.pray-as-you-go.org and went along to services at my parish church.

I don't think that I changed very much, but what changed a lot was my perception of what God and Christianity meant. I think that there are a lot of loud saying that Christianity is X and means doing or believing Y, but when I got properly involved, I realised that there is lots of room for uncertainty and worship can just be about sitting in church, full of doubt and skepticism, and offering that up to God and letting yourself change gradually, through the music or the people or the beauty around you.

I still don't "believe in God" in the way that I thought Christians did when I was an atheist, but I've discovered that that kind of certainty isn't really all that important.

Broomstick that's such an interesting post - thanks :) it sums up my views as well.

I've been thinking for a while about looking into Christianity further. I was a bit put off as I thought that I didn't have enough 'certainty' about it, and that my non-religious family and friends would question this and feel that I was wrong to explore Christianity without having a firm belief in everything that it stands for.

I read something interesting earlier that mentioned that God is often thought of as an intangible being (from Wikipedia). I find this really interesting as this ties into how I imagine God to be.

I personally imagine God as a force for good within people, or a force that impels people to act positively and to do good. I'd always imagined, though, that Christians (and people who believe in other religions) see God as a tangible being, so I never felt that I could fully believe in God, as I didn't share that view.

I became a Christian at about 30 having come from a very non-religious background, and having made some pretty bad choices in my life. I gained a whole new church family and also what feels like a personal relationship with Jesus (although that's not something I can easily define in words!) I'm sure your Christian friends would be glad to answer any questions you have (not that any of us have all the answers!) and any church would be happy to welcome you.
God bless!!