AIBU to take my kids to church even though I’m atheist

[Iheartguacamole]

My kids are both preschool. On a Wednesday I take them to a church toddler group - everyone seems very welcoming and friendly. Dp is working today and I’m struggling to find low cost things to do with them. Looked at my local church and they do a family friendly service on a Sunday. AIBU to take the kids there just to get out of the house and go somewhere? I don’t believe in god but I have no problem with my kids being exposed to Christianity. I’m just wondering if it’s a bit…off considering I’m not a believer?

We have a number of parents who come to our church bringing their kids even though they are atheist/agnostic.

I think even if you are not a believer, church and christianitu can give you a great deal and the kids will enjoy playing with others.

Of course it's fine. I did exactly the same when my children were young & even attended the church for a while.
I'm not religious at all but at the time I needed & enjoyed the friendliness of the place.
It's what churches are for, they serve the community and provide friendship & support. No one is going to ask you to prove you believe and I bet you won't be the only attendee who doesn't.
As long as you show respect, it's fine.

You don’t need to be a believer to go to church.

I'm an atheist, but I would do that. If it's a nice church they'll be inclusive. I used to go to Sunday school as a child and loved it. Didn't believe all the God stuff, even then, but loved the stories, the songs, and being around other children.

Definitely not unreasonable to do this.

I actually think it's a lovely thing to do to expose your children to someone else's beliefs, and not limit them to only seeing what yours are.

At your children's age, my children loved going to mass. Our local churches very much approached it as being about listening to stories and singing. There were action songs so they could join in. Everything was very child appropriate.

As long as you aren't planning to go along to heckle the vicar or tell everyone it's all a load of rubbish I can't see any reason you shouldn't go!

I reckon a lot of regular church people don't necessarily believe but enjoy the community and the comfort of the routine.

Plus from a Christian perspective they should be welcoming everyone so they'll be delighted to see you

Thanks for the replies everyone - good to know! I’ll take them then!

Absolutely fine to go along. I'm sure you'll be respectful as you're even asking the question. (And respectful just means not laughing at people and pointing and talking through prayers which is what some family or friends did at a baptism at our church a few years ago, so rude.)

we go to the Christingle service every Christmas even though DH and I are non believers.
It’s lovely and I think the church imparts such great messages about love and how we treat each other etc. They are really welcoming, the vicar knows full well he only sees our faces once a year but he is still always happy to have bums on seats.

I think one of the best things a parent can do for a child is to expose them to a wide range of things, even those they don't like or believe in. Let the child then decide for themselves what's for them rather than following the same path as the parent.
So yes, definitely go

I can think.of nothing I would want to do less. I can't stand religion and the times Ive been to church I've found it remarkably dull. I don't mind, in fact encourage, my kids to learn about religions but dont want them to have it told as if its true which is of course what church does.

I do understand the need to find people to hang with at the weekends (and get out the house). I used to find a friend and their kids do trips to the forest, park, museum or cinema. Also loads of sport clubs are on a sunday and a good way of making friends.

The church wont mind if you go though as long as you don't go around saying its all rubbish!

They won't mind. I did similar when my kids were little and was in a new city. It was a lovely community and beautiful church.

Once they are 4, you can take them to junior park run on a Sunday for a change.

Church welcomes everyone

I've sung in a church choir for years. Rabid atheist - I just don't tend to mention it to people in church. 🤣

I have very fond memories of Sunday School/ Brownies/Guides and we were never religious.
Taking them to church is just offering them a taste of a religion that they may choose to take up in the future, and hopefully they will see it as a safe space if they ever need it as an adult,

Your beliefs are nobody else's business.

Church is for anyone and everyone.

Please go, there will likely be biscuits 🍪 😊

Surely, this is no different than your children learning about different religions at school?

I’m sure your church will welcome you with open arms.

Sold!

I was brought up being dragged to church every week by a very religious family. Hated it and am atheist. I resent my parents for making me do it. Having said that I’ve also seen the amazing support network that my DM now has in her old age. So take your kids if you want but the moment they don’t want to go listen to them!

I hope you go OP! Update us later 😊

Loads of nonbelievers go to church every sunday to get their kids in our local catholic primary/secondary (the only decent primary and secondary school around).
Highly engaged, helping out, omnipresent - until the start if year 7 when they suddenly loose all interest;)

It's totally fine. There are a huge variety of different kinds of churches but you'd have already had alarm bells if there was likepy to be a problem here. There are churches where the children are told that they must believe specific things and I might be uncomfortable doing this at those kinds if I was in your shoes. However at the kind of church that I think this one is, the sunday school is going to be very play-based, there might be a short story then a variety of age-appropiate activities for different groups but not much theology.

Yeah we have a an amazing catholic secondary in town which is very very over subscribed. People ask me about “becoming catholic” (I’m not even christened 😆) for the sole purpose of getting the kids into the school. Umm no!!! Setting a terrible example of dishonesty there!