Two more questions...particularly for non-churchgoers (I'm not trying to convert you), but also church goers

[tortoiseSHELL]

1. Write down one line from the marriage ceremony.

1. If you DON'T regularly go to a church, is there something that is a barrier to you going? (Don't worry if you want to put it's all total crap, that's fine!).

And would changing the words from things like 'And with thy spirit' to 'And also with you' make any difference?

Thank you!

1. do you, X, take this woman

2. because I am not a Christian

no

1. in sickness and in health

1. not my bag

1. No

1. Do you take this man ....

2. I have a problem with repenting my sins. Or being expected to say that I am a sinner ... when actually I am not, I am quite a nice, honest, good person (mostly ).
   That is what I don't like about traditional church.
   I am not comfortable in less traditional churches (evangelical, free, new, whatever) as I don't like all that handwaving and happy clappy stuff. Well, I don't mind happy clappy actually (I come from a Salvation Army background) but it depends on the happy clappy.
   I am uncomfortable with the notion that Jesus is my invisible mate that walks around with me everywhere (JUST DON'T GET THAT!!! And it does my head in when in church they talk about 'personal relationships' with God and Jesus)
   I have tried many churches. Church just doesn't do it for me ... so I don't go.
   I just don't get it.

My honest, humble opinion.

ideal time to capture the non-churchgoers

very true!

1. For richer, for poorer

2. combination of laziness, liking church to be a peaceful oasis for me which it isn't with two small children

3. No, i like the old fashioned words. BCP evensong is probably my favourite service

When do we get to know the reason for the questions?

Message withdrawn

1. With my body I thee worship.
2. General problems with organised religion. I don't see the need to congregate as having anything to do with spirituality.
3. No, it really wouldn't,

1. and what god has brought together let no man put asunder (or whatever it is!)

1. No barrier, I just don't believe so it seems a big waste of time, it's boring (because it has no meaning for me) and I always get sad/angry because I just can't get why otherwise sane and rational people seem to need to do it.

1. No, the old fashioned words are prettier - if I had to listen I'd rather do the thees and thous. This is going to sound odd I know as I'm a nonbeliever , but modern churches seem really soulless. I can sort of see that the icons and rote and symbols of catholic and orthodox churches give a link to the past and can be comforting.

1.And these two who God has joined together, let no man put asunder
2.Used to go for years, have lost the impetus and desire. God OK, Christians not so.
3.No, prefer the olde style texts, much more sense of occasion.

1. Any lawful impediment
2. Organised religion is total crap
3. Make a small difference less religious more personal

1. i do
2. i went a bit before we got ds christened. i really enjoyed myself, but more because of the community spirit and togetherness than the religious thing. its not that i don't believe - i do, i just don't get the whole worshipping thing.
3. no ...

oh and the fact its so early in the morning makes it almost impossible to go. its a real effort to get us all up, ready and out for 9.45!

1. I now pronounce you husband and wife

1. Don't believe in the story I'm afraid

as for the word changing .. wouldn't matter in the slightest

1. do you take this man
2. because it can be so dull (british, weekly services, old foggies that can't remember a belly laugh about something rude is right not wrong), boring and confusing hymns that everyone makes up the tune to and I never, never understand and I can't stand the mockery of things like the churches in poor places that have untold wealth while all around the local people give everything they can whilst living in fear of the priest or minister and are brainwashed into what is 'right'. I could go on.
3. didn't mean to make that sound so angry

1. Till death us do part

1. Disagree with a lot of the Catholic church teachings

1. No difference

1. Write down one line from the marriage ceremony. - For better or worse

1. If you DON'T regularly go to a church, is there something that is a barrier to you going? (Don't worry if you want to put it's all total crap, that's fine!). N/A

And would changing the words from things like 'And with thy spirit' to 'And also with you' make any difference? - not fussy - I like an ecclectic(sp) (I think that's the word I mean) mix of worhsip right through from Evensong (in traditional form) through to Spring Harvest type services

1. To love and to cherish

1. Don't like organised religion

1. No

Thanks everyone - any more answers are welcome! Sorry not to get back here earlier, have been at church!!!

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. no idea tbh
2. do you count synagogue as church?? The barrier for me is that DH works on a fri eve. However I take the kids wen relevant/suitable

ts I agree with your position, it is not the language that is used, FFS I go where they speak hewbrew and I don't understand it at all. However I know the important prayers parrot fashion and when they come up I love it!!

Church/synagogue etc is all about accessibility IMHO

can i just say i might find church more interesting if i understood what was being said and all these thees and thous and thys do make it harder to follow imo.