A survey I'm doing - please take a minute to answer 2 questions, thanks!

[tortoiseSHELL]

1. How would you describe yourself with reference to religion? (i.e. Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, Pagan etc)

1. Write down one sentence, phrase, or passage that you associate with church. It could be something from the bible, could be part of a hymn, could be something from a regular service, a wedding service - whatever!

Thanks very much - I'll tell you why later, but can't really yet as it might affect your answers!

1. Agnostic (fence-sitter)

1. Stained glass windows in church, the smell of cold stone.

atheist

la da da da sword in my hand la da da de da

Er - didn't see it was a passage

Er...

"Peace be with you...and also with you."

Or the sibilance of the trespasses line from the Lord's Prayer.

1. Jewish
2. Not church but syngogue 'Shema Yisrael' which is the first words of a prayer.

Thanks everyone - any more answers are welcome! Sorry not to get back here earlier, have been at church!!! (I've copied this from the other thread!).

The reason I wanted to know is our church and diocese is obssessed with the idea that liturgy and services have to be translated into contemporary language, and this will solve the problem of falling congregations, because people on the street find the traditional language a barrier. My argument is that actually people are MORE familiar with the traditional church language, which is partly proved by responses on here using traditional words 'With this ring I thee wed etc'. I do think there's a place for contemporary worship, but I don't believe for a second that traditional worship is the thing that stops people going to church.

My feeling is that people don't go to church either because they don't believe, or don't like organised religion, or because the church has positioned itself where it doesn't feel relevant to today's society, and I think they should be more proactive in things like green issues etc.

I haven't explained that very well, but hopefully that tells you why I wanted to know your answers! Thank you all for taking the time to answer!!!

1. Agnostic
2. Beautiful buildings and stained glass

I think you are right in what you are saying TS. It's nothing to do with the language barrier. It's what you have pointed out - "they don't believe, or don't like organised religion, or because the church has positioned itself where it doesn't feel relevant to today's society" - IMO

It just feels that the church has latched onto something 'easy' that it can change, rather than having the courage to actually look at what needs changing.

As someone who has been both outside and inside the church, I think the avergae church notice board is incomprehensible to anyone not brought up as a churchgoer. And if you don't know what to do the idea of attending Communion is very intimidating, unless you have someone to go with you who knows the ropes. The actual language doesn't really matter.

"christian" (as in living/believing/practising)

A place that often forgets about Gods Amazing grace and that its purpose is to show it (grace) to everyone else.

hmm tricky one - in some respects I think you're right. However, I think that 'old world' language IS a barrier to some people who have never been to church.

How many people on this thread have quoted the "thee's and thou's" - because that's what they grew up with???? Not because it's what particularly makes sense to them??

Our church has gradually been changing some of it's liturgies (not all) over the last few years. And there ARE some people who came to church to 'see what it was about'/'explore' their faith etc who HAVE said that they find it much easier to understand in contemporary language than KJV. I think for a lot of people that do want to explore their faith and go to church to find out what it's about - contemporary language makes it much easier.

On the otherhand you're also right that churches (in general) need to try and do more to reach out into communties and find other ways of trying to get people back to church.

1. christian

1. do unto others as would do to ones self ( these arent correct words but i am rather forgetful at mo)

Atheist

Amen

1. agnostic and humanist

1. fire and brimstone

1.humanist
2.judgemental

1.christian

1. to the glory of god the father amen

1. Christian

1. Community

I think that the church going "street" is a horrible, horrible thing and shouldn't be allowed to happen.

It's like your geography teacher trying to talk about the Hit Parade with you

"It's hard to dance with the devil on your back"

argg! jellyhead that's made me larf

Atheist

Our father, who art in heaven.....