Can I go to church when I'm not sure I have faith?

[Nothingbutquestions]

I'm really hoping no one will be offended by my post but I have questions and no one to answer them so I hope you'll forgive me. Religion has never really been part of my life, beyond the Lords' Prayer and hymns at school assembly every day growing up which incidentally I loved. I'm 44 now and still couldn't honestly say I believe (I hope that's the right term) and yet I feel this pull towards the idea of church.

Put simply I feel like I want to be part of something, I want that feeling of singing together, reciting prayers together, feeling like I'm in accord with people around me and that we're sharing something. I'm struggling to articulate this but it's more than that, I feel like I want something to believe in, something to give me comfort during tough times and a shared connection/belief with others. But that would be dishonest when I can't honestly say I believe wouldn't it? I'm so confused, and yet I keep finding myself googling local churches, researching what the various denominations believe, trying to figure out what I believe I suppose

I've been looking at something called an Alpha course with my local CofE church, does anyone know about these and does that seem like a good idea in my position? I think I'm worried I'm more attracted to the structure of religion and fulfilling some need in myself than because I actually believe in God and that seems wrong. Can anyone help please?

Rather than an alpha course (which is explicitly evangelical) you'd be better off with a middle-of-the-road or even high Anglican church. I say that as a lapsed Christian now agnostic who still finds the Anglican liturgy, esp. singing this Psalms and responses, is deeply calming and peaceful.

I suspect there are a lot of Anglicans (can't speak for other denominations) who go to church with precisely your attitude. I have secular Jewish friends who go to synagogue for similar reasons (plus cultural belonging and a sense of the weight of history).

People go to church for all sorts of reasons. They are open to all. Some go just because they love a sing song.

Hi. First thing, any decent church should welcome you regardless of where you stand in terms of belief. You should feel free to go along and see what you think. Worth noting that even within the same denomination there is a range of styles so I would suggest trying a range of individual churches and finding something that suits you in terms of formality (or not), style of worship, type of teaching etc. as well as the community feel.

The Alpha course is a good way to explore the basics of Christianity and ask lots of questions. It’s targeted at people who don’t necessarily have any faith or experience of Christianity, but are interested in finding out what it’s about. If it’s run well, then it’s good for building up community as well as being a safe space to discuss.

Finally, don’t worry about being dishonest. If you’re feeling a pull to go to church, then you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a go. As I said earlier, any decent church would welcome you regardless of the reasons that brought you there. I’ve known quite a few people that just go to church to help their partner with managing their young kids during the service. Once the kids are older, some stop going but some keep coming if they get something out of it themselves. So I say give it a go and see what happens

It's fine and understandable but from what you've said perhaps Christianity isn't the right religion for you.

Have you considered others which don't have the focus on 'believing'.

The Quakers or Buddhism for example are more about a way of life than having faith - admittedly you don't always get the same opportunities for a song song!

Alpha is a great way to start- you can ask questions and find out what the church is like in an environment set up just for that. No need to worry about why you are there.

Many people keep going to church while still questioning their faith, and in any congregation there will be a really wide range of beliefs among the congregation. There is a core of beliefs the congregation 'professes', but what that looks like in practice varies from individual to individual.

As a vicar I can reassure you would not be my only congregation member with no faith or inquisitive but unsure about faith.

We run Christianity explored courses which like alpha are a way for people to ask questions that they have about our beliefs and explore their own with no pressure to commit to becoming a Christian at the end if it. You would still be welcome to keep coming along to church whatever you decided. All churches are a little different, regardless of denomination differences, because churches are made up of a group of people, so find a church where you feel comfortable and welcome.

I think Aloha would be a great start

Alpha

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I’ve been in a few threads about this

I go to church

I don’t believe

I ended up there because of volunteering but then they helped when my dad died and I started attending the odd service and social

I’d avoid alpha, I know three people who went on it and seemed to lose all rational judgement as a result. Of course that can happen when someone is desperately seeking something and may be about the person, not the course. But the church I go to is super relaxed and mostly about community which is a better option for the unsure or the non believers I think.

Of course you can. I did the alpha course and attended church regularly in a bid to find my spiritual path.

It wasn't christianity as it turned out but it might be for you and good luck with it.

Yes, absolutely you can go to church without believing. Loads of regular churchgoers do. The church is there, among other things, to serve the local community - whoever they are and whatever they believe.

I think going because you want the community and structure of religious practice is a fine reason to go.

If you wait until you find faith you may never go. It's not something you can really decide to have.

The religious community and practice may be a good place to start on a journey to faith - but you may never arrive there, and they are of value in themselves.

I go to synagogue regularly and no one in my family and frankly not many people in the community, IMO, actually believe in God. 'Faith' is perhaps more important in Christianity than it is in Judaism but I still think one can find togetherness, spirituality and a sense of meditation in religious practice without God, so go for it!

The nice thing about alpha is it tells you all about the theory of what Christians believe. Not everyone believes all of it all the time, but it's a quick introduction. It would take a lot of Sundays to find out the belief system behind the service, I reckon.

No one is going to mind if you go and don't believe - but I guess the whole point if church is to be the body of Jesus and be on a journey of faith. I think it would feel false to pray and worship if you don't actually believe in God at all

I came here to suggest the Quakers too.
No singing but they meet in places called Friends Meeting houses, and speak of finding the god in everyone. Good people. And I speak as an atheist

I suspect a lot of people at Mass don't believe and are there from habit or duty.

If you sat on a pew for mass to start no one would come up and question you on your beliefs. It can be the only opportunity for some people to have a small part of the week with a routine that is undemanding and gives opportunity for contemplation in a peaceful environment.

Don't do Alpha

Just go to church

You will be welcome, irrespective of whether you believe

From the version of the Lord's Prayer and the hymns that you learned at school, I'd suggest an Anglican church to start with. I learned the hymns at school too and never went to church as a child, and when we started going to the local Methodist church (dc's friend asked mine to go to Sunday School with them so we went too), I was rather disconcerted to find that most of the tunes were completely different to the ones I was familiar with!

Im a Catholic Christian with a lot of questions about Jesus. I have in the last year found God and the holy spirit. Very strange experience TBH.

So seems like you might also be on a bit of a faith journey. Going to church a good idea. Prayer is an even better idea. Just try talking to God. You might feel silly. I ask him about my belief issues. I have a few prayers I come back to variants of "Lord I want to believe. Help me with my unbelief". I also ask that "my mind and heart be open to the word and wishes of the Lord".

How about saying the Lord's prayer followed by composing your own thoughts of what you would say to the intelligence behind the universe if such a thing existed. Its ok to ask questions.

Don't know about alpha courses. Perhaps try a bit of personal reading first. Recommend "The Reason for God". Good introduction to the arguments for God.

I also like Fr Mike Schmitz on YouTube. Very Catholic. But lots of comments from all faiths under his videos.

Church and singing hymns sounds like a lovely place to start. Might as well build on your Christian roots. Don't worry about what others think of you. If you go Anglican or Catholic or even Methodist people will welcome you and you can just let it wash over you. Try out a few places to get a feel.

Also posting here you get some lovely responses from people of faith even though its a largely atheist site.

Sorry not to have been back before, my weekend turned into a bit of a catalogue of household disasters after I'd posted so I haven't had a minute. I really appreciate all your responses and I'll be honest I got exactly what I wanted out of this thread. Reassurance that it's ok to explore this pull I'm feeling without being sure of where I will end up in terms of faith.

Nice to have my gut instinct confirmed that an Anglican Church is the right place to start too, I have a list of three really local ones all ready to check out in the next few weeks Still considering the Alpha course but agree going along to a few services feels like a better first step for me. Thank you all, I may very well be back with more questions along the way so sorry if I make you regret being so helpful

I think Alpha is a great place to start. It's designed for people who don't know what they believe and are figuring it out. They are usually really informal with food served too. And if you don't like it, you don't have to go back. 😊

Of course, but I would avoid alpha which is pretty hard core evangelical. Instead look for an inclusive church (they often are more traditional in music) we welcome anybody a large number are not believers but enjoy the music, the community etc. and are from all walks of life, ages, sexuality etc. There's 4 in our diocese plus others like us who haven't sorted the paperwork out ;my job!)

I am doing an Alpha course with my church at the moment, with just a couple of sessions left to go. It presents itself as being a simple introduction to Christianity but is actually pretty intense and very firmly evangelical. I wouldn't discourage anyone from doing it but be wary of being 'expected' to give yourself over to God through Jesus completely and then to go out and evangelise about it.
For me, the loving fellowship of a regular Sunday morning service is enough - the rituals, the lovely people, the singing, the feeling of community and belonging. Even the coffee afterwards.
You do not have to be a 'true' believer (what I call in my head a 'proper' Christian). I have been questioning for over 35 years, in various churches as I have moved around. Still don't know the answers but know that I am loved and respected as a member of the congregation anyway.
Good luck with your searching, OP.

my husband attends church (high Anglican) with me for the exact reasons you list. I think he enjoys the ritual aspects the most.

enjoy your church visits. be prepared for several people to ask if you're getting married