Atheist taking part in church festive celebrations

[Ehhn]

I'm an atheist but I value the community spirit and the atmosphere provided by C of E churches and, at Christmas, I find attending midnight mass a lovely moment of reflection. I don't take communion, for obvious reasons. I don't mention my atheism and I join in with every other part of the service. I don't tend to take part in any other services, although i do support some of the charity work through local churches. Out of interest, what are others' views on this? Do other atheists see this as hypocritical? Does anyone find this offensive? (This is just a post for interest and debate; if there is a current thread on this topic, do direct me towards it).

Our church welcomes all. You would most definitely not be giving offence.

No-one will be judging the quality of anyone else's faith, even to the extent of beliefs which directly contradict the existence of God.

At my church you would be one of a good few who feel the same way. At midnight mass at least half the congregation just come for that service too.

It's fine. I am similar. I'm not a Christian, but Xmas carols and services are part of my cultural history Imo, and I think as long as you behave respectfully, there's not a problem. I've never met a Christian who objects.

There's a lot to be said for the comfort / enjoyment gained from rituals and fellowship, even if you are an atheist. So hell, yes - go to Church!

Midnight Mass is the service in the year most attended by non regular worshipers at ours; we are glad to welcome everyone (even those who turn up totally trolleyed )

You'd be welcome at our church too. Jesus was welcoming to everyone!

I live in a town where there are not a lot of community events. The church seems to be the place that everything happens: Playgroup, soup kitchen, AA, ballet, baby music groups. I think that is what church should be, not just ta place for Christians who go there on Sundays.

You'd be very welcome at our church. All faiths can receive a blessing if they wish and you could too.the Church as a whole should welcome everyone anytime. Some people just want it to be a private members club (although think that's starting to disappear thankfully).

Yes, of course you would be very welcome, my mother is an athiest but often comes to Church with me and joins in all the social events, and helps with the fund raising . Every one is welcome.

If you turned up at the C of E church where I work you would be very welcome. We are seeing a lot of people that don't normally come to church at our carol services and I would expect lots of people I don't recognise at Midnight Mass. As staff don't know who is atheist or visiting clergy or whatever. We got a stray bishop in last year and they only reason we clocked him was that he was in his purple.

Avoid the seats at the front and sit as far back as you can as then you can follow what other people do with standing or sitting.

"stray bishop"

When my dad was recovering from depression I put him in touch with a local church I used to attend. They already knew him well from when I was a Christian and knew he wasn't a believer but that at that time in his life would benefit from being part of a community along with his other sources of support. They were more than happy with this. He attended for a few months and gradually stopped as he got better. He liked the singing but just can't believe in it.

I used to be a Christian but still enjoy carol services at Christmas. It's part of my cultural background along with Barry Manilow and blue mascara so has a comforting nostalgic affect.

Lol at stray bishop. Was his coat a bit mankey and riddled with fleas?

Go to the church services if you want to go,nobody will mind and you will probably be welcomed with open arms so to speak.
I hope that you enjoy them. We're going tomorrow but we rarely go to church any more.

I take the kids along to christingle and Carol services. Used to sing in a church choir but realised I was effectively atheist when I went along to a few confirmation classes.
DH refuses to come along but I go for the same reasons as you. See most of our friends in the village and is a chance to explain the story of Christmas to the children - and that's how I view it really (as well as enjoying singing the carols). A series of stories with a message. I just lack the faith and belief in a god!

Does it matter what other people think?

Do people really turn up drunk ifancyagreencard ?! Blimey.
I'm glad I've come across this thread and that the replies have been so welcoming.
It looks as though we could be stuck in hospital with DD this Christmas and I'd noticed there was a midnight mass in the Spiritudl Room they have. I considered attending but am in a similar position belief wise to the op. I may go along now !

We'll be going to midnight mass. OH is an atheist, I am agnostic but my faith is growing, and midnight mass is a family tradition. I love church services; my family have always been welcome at them even as atheists.

To the pps who talk about the comfort of ritual and togetherness, that's a major part of it, isn't it? Of feeling some kind of connection to humanity (and history), and feeling comforted by the soothing rhythms and familiar cadences of prayers and songs. I often find myself humming hymns as go through the day. For what it's worth, I suppose I'm a complicated atheist, as I do believe in the historical Jesus (archaeological and textual evidence etc), but I don't believe in a god or higher power. I guess I believe in the potential for goodness in humanity (even though there is plenty evidence that we can be awful).

... Oh, and I will bring some money for the collection!

This has turned into a lovely thread.

We are atheists and I have no problem with it. My DP goes for the singing and anyway loves the ancient church buildings.

Of course this is why some people are starting up 'atheist' churches (needs a better name) For people to get together for all the other stuff without the actual religious part.

Getting together with your neighbours is a good thing in itself and always was one of the positive sides to congregating at the local church

You'd be very welcome in my church too. Not of course that anyone would know what your beliefs ere, u less you chose to tell them, but even if you did say that you ere an atheist, you'd still be very, very welcome.

You'd be very welcome at our (C of E) church, too.

I'm an Anglican (typical fluffy theology...) and would have no problem with atheists turning up at the church I (irregularly) attend. I don't think it would worry the regulars either.