Atheist wanting to join church

[CougheeBean]

I'm having a really shit time at the moment and despite being a staunch atheist I have always had a huge admiration for the hope and community in religion. I live in a very diverse area with lots of churches and mosques, but a lot of the services are in languages I don't know. I just want some comfort, maybe I'll find God or maybe I'll find some brief relief or maybe I'll find it all pointless. I don't know where to start.

I have no religious friends and I work long city hours. How can I get involved in a low-pressure way and see if there's a faith which is right for me? I have anxiety and am very nervous about just showing up. It's clear that I won't culturally 'fit in' in most religious settings near me as most women have these fantastic traditional sunday outfits and obviously have incredibly strong community and family bonds.

Have a look here for churches that might suit you

shipoffools.com/mystery/

Try a cathedral.
One of the good things about cathedrals is it's ok to be as anonymous and 'hands off' as you want to be,or you can get more involved as time goes on. It's one of their functions really.

If there's one within reach I would suggest that as a starting point. Most have a regular congregation, a regular but not every week one,and people who drop in as and when. All welcome and there should usually be a chance to stay behind for a cuppa and a chat without any pressure to get involved (if you don't want to be)

And the music's usually pretty good too!

The church is the centre of community life for everyone
This need for 'community' has been monopolised by churches and should not be confused with the religiosity of the church. Many of the minority who still go to church on a Sunday are just going there for the 'community' aspect and have no views on any religious 'truths'.

Its perfectly fine for an atheist to join a church for its community, you wont be the only one there. But if you are really looking for the cultural and community aspect you can spread your search wider to include other non religious societies and activities which might be a better fit for you.

Hi, not knowing exactly where you are I don't know whether you have any spiritualist churches in your area. They are great because they don't preach any relegion but do prove life after death so it is very uplifting and spiritual. Hope that helps

Op I would start with praying- something like " god I would like find you, if you are there please help me to discover the truth" keep praying and see what happens. Let god take the lead, keep your eyes and ears open.

Next explore the religion, research it, read books. There's so much info online and on YouTube. Look at lots of sources, seek explanations.

Then think about how to grow in faith, i.e. Joining a church.

I could recommend some books if your interested in christianity?

Then, if auto suggestion doesn't work, try and work things out rationally by yourself, without the false hope and promise that some 'other' will provide salvation

Don’t be so rude Jason. Would you go on the chicken keepers threads and tell them chickens are stupid? Or accuse those on the style and beauty boards of being selfish and vacuous?

Please respect others rights. In the same way as you probably want them to respect yours .

OP is a non religious assembly any good for you?

there's this one in Central London and then I think there's groups all over the country

conwayhall.org.uk/event/sunday-assembly-2-2015-03-15-2015-07-19/

Jason-

Human reason alone very rarely is enough because it often collides with self interest- and self interest usually wins out.
I think the west is failing because it's turned its back on Christian values-
It's forgot that it's laws, justice system, ethics, language we're all based on Christianity. How do you think cultures based on Christianity became free and prosperous?. It helped build the first hospitals, universities, welfare, orphanages.
"It's all well seeing through something, but only if you see something on the other side" cs lewis. So far athiesm has failed to replace Christianity with anything constructive.
All I can see is people trying to make themselves happy- usually on materialistic things, changing themselves somehow, hedonism, and it won't work it will leave you unfulfilled. Happiness isn't found within, it's in your relationships, with serving others. I've found peace in my life since I came to faith.
Look at the state of society- all the recent stabbings, violence, large amounts of people turning to drink or taking drugs. Mental health problems, self harming, depression all increasing.
So yes I choose god over human reason.
I choose god because If I dont I'm left to rely on humans alone and i do not have faith in humanity- any brier look through a history book can show how flawed human reasoning is.
If I remove the notion of god and therefore the idea of intrinsic value and dignity of human life- I am left with whatever government or dicator decides our lives our worth.
Stalin, pol-pot, mao all athiests, was their reasoning good? They all decided that humans could be killed for some greater "good".
The bible contains real wisdom for anyone willing to actually read it and take the time to understand it.

Having spent a lot of time thinking about my faith it always amuses me when I hear such enlightened statements as-
"There is no god, grow up"-
"Your magical sky fairies"-
thank you for those deeply profound and revelatory statements, :)

Missy, don't worry about it. I mostly find the aggressive atheists on MN do a pretty good job of turning people towards Christianity!

Very thoughtfully expressed, Missy.

Look at the state of society- all the recent stabbings, violence, large amounts of people turning to drink or taking drugs. Mental health problems, self harming, depression all increasing

Yea if we were all forced to worship your god and follow his commandments then there would be no violence, addiction, or mental health problems. That would never go wrong would it?

Luke 23:34 Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Most churches are very welcoming to strangers.

If you show up someone will probably introduce themselves and invite you to sign the visitors book. They might also invite you to come to the after service coffee and biscuits if they have one.

The next time they’ll smile and nod etc.

It’s always fine to just turn up.

Faith is a journey not a destination. Lots of regular church goers have peaks and troughs of faith.

Church congregations can have quite different personalities so it’s worth trying out a few to find one you like.

Or find several you like and go to them in rotation!

As OP is looking for community, then I'd suggest going on a Sunday morning, rather than lunchtime in the week, or starting to pray and study at home.
Most Churches will welcome you into their community. All Churches are quite different - so find out where several are and go along with the intention of visiting a few before you commit to one or another. If you cam to my church, and stayed for coffee afterwards, we would be very welcoming, but, if you said you were looking for something s bit more this / that / the other, we could also point you in the direction of other typse of churches in our community. Some people like a formal litergy. Some like guitars and drums. Some like a long gospel thumping sermon. Some like a ssion. Quakers may well sit in silence. Methodists tend to squeeze at least 5 hymns into a traditional service. Some have Sunday schools / junior churches / creches. Some have house groups. There are many different paths to follow. Don't be put off if the first one you try isn't for you.

I choose god because If I dont I'm left to rely on humans alone and i do not have faith in humanity-
-this-
🙌🏻🙏

Apologies to anyone who took offence, it was not my intention. Sorry.

Missymoo
A very well written and heartfelt expression of your view of the world, I'm glad you've come to peace. For all my misgivings about religious belief I completely accept and envy the peace it can bring to people, especially in times of need. Like all of us who try to justify our position, we tend to pick out bits of our life construct that work for us, while ignoring the things that do not. Each to their own.

Listen to premier praise Christian radio on DAB if you can. Great music and conversation. I am catholic and wish we were more welcoming. My friends and family try to be as normal about our faiths as possible in our secular workplaces etc. We've brought a few people to mass and ultimately to Jesus. :-)

I'd also like to suggest you try a Quaker meeting. I have been going for a while now having just been drawn to it. I find the silent worship really sets me up for the week. Everybody there is very friendly, and people have a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. I have been reading some Quaker books and it all just feels right.

Im an Atheist - actually i was once quite militant. But i see the good in the Christian church. There is also no doubt that western civilisation has been shaped by Christ's teachings.

The bible has many stories that are symbolic and related to how to live a good life. Just because they may not be factually "true" there is still a metaphysical "truth" to them.

I say go for it, its hardly going to cause harm, i do actually sometimes wish we went to a church as a family. Tradition is important. Community is important. I wouldn't know where to start.

So far athiesm has failed to replace Christianity with anything constructive.

Atheism doesn't "seek" to do anything.

If your life is meaningless and with no altrusim without religion then I feel sorry for you.

Quakers are lovely and won't force beliefs on you.
Have you got enough support for problems that are making life hard just now, or long term. May be worth speaking to gp too.

You definitely need to 'shop around' as they are all so different even within the same faith. I would do some desk research first. I hope you enjoy exploring the different options and that you get out of it what you are looking for.