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Philosophy/religion

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Original poster

If you don't go to church, why not?

188 replies

ilovejonty · 07/12/2008 17:35

Is it because you don't have a faith/ belief in God?

Or:

Other reason - for example, never been, don't feel the need, intimidating, you are too busy etc...?

If you would like to go to church but don't, what would encourage you and what would put you off?

OP posts:
needmorecoffee · 07/12/2008 17:43

cos I'm muslim

ChasingSquirrels · 07/12/2008 17:44

don't have a faith/ belief in God

boogeek · 07/12/2008 17:45

I don't believe in god

NappiesGaloriaInExcelsis · 07/12/2008 17:46

i dont agree with organised religion.

YeahBut · 07/12/2008 17:49

I'm an atheist.

RubberDuck · 07/12/2008 17:52

Also an Atheist

HensMum · 07/12/2008 17:53

I'm an atheist. I do quite enjoy it when I go though, for weddings etc.

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 07/12/2008 17:57

If they were warmer, and if they did the singing services at more friendly times. Sunday mornings are either spent in bed, or at a family members house. Our family, like most peoples, are spread across the uk, so so are our weekends.

Having said that, I do got to church now and then, but when I don't these are the reasons.

Also, I sometimes disagree with the vicar's interpretation of the bible/sermons but feel if I enter into a discussion I'd get told off, partly (and probably rightly to a certain extent) because I know less than them, but it stops me perhaps from engaging as much.

yama · 07/12/2008 17:59

Would feel like a chore and my weekends are for relaxing with my family.

(Does that make me sound lazy?)

TipsyFairydifferentID · 07/12/2008 18:01

I don't go because I have never been made feel welcome. And yet, whenever I go back home, I'm welcomed warmly by everyone and introduced to new people who have joined the parsih since I left.
I love my faith and I live it as best I can.

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 07/12/2008 18:04

Just to emphasise. Sounds stupid I know, but I get chilled to the bone in most churches and so am hardly motivated out of bed an a cold Sunday morning.

BONKERZ · 07/12/2008 18:06

As a child i used to go to church and attended sunday school etc but as a grown up i have made the decision not to go, my children are not christened and i got married in a registry office. I would not say i dont believe in god BUT im not sure i really have a true faith. I have been dealt quite a hard life so far and certain things that have happened in my life have made me doubt the existence of 'GOD'. I beleive in the afterlife and other aspects of 'religion' but i dont believe in one god. (did any of that make sense????)

TrinityRhino · 07/12/2008 18:07

I dont agree with organised religion at all

WhileShosheWatchedHerFlocks · 07/12/2008 18:14

Because I am a Atheist, and even if I wasn't Family is Jewish

TheGarishlyTwinkleyMadHouse · 07/12/2008 18:19

I too find Sunday a real family day and as my two are 3 and 2, they are not up to church in any way.

we used to live just outside Reading and the local C of E church used to have a toddler afternoon where all the preschoolers and children got to do arty stuff etc in the back of the church with a couple of mums, whilst the rest of us has some church time or reflection time. That was great, it meant the church was open and used.

We also attended a toddler group run by the local free church and that was fantastic and had a religious element to it (you could opt out), they ran a creache for the little ones on special occasions.

RhinestoneReindeerHerder · 07/12/2008 18:20

Because I'm an atheist. DH more of an agnostic (lapsed Catholic).

I was brought up going to Church tho, and do miss the singing...

shootRudolphinthehip · 07/12/2008 18:21

I was brought up LDS- Mormon to the masses. As a teenager I stopped going because some of it was too constricting, not because of a lack of belief in God.

I then met and married someone who is agnostic. I feel very clearly that I want to go back to Church but am now in a position where it would split my family up if I did. So... what do I do? Destroy my family for my personal Salvation or put the sanctity of my marriage and family first?

I don't know so until I do, no church for me except family occasions.

herbietea · 07/12/2008 18:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

juicyjolly · 07/12/2008 18:27

As far as I am concerned organised religion is just a money making racket!

Most of them have more money than we could shake a stick at!
It makes me sick. I was born into a catholic family and had my commuion, went to church every week etc. If anyone in the community were struggling, then the priest would come out and try and help. Great eh!
Problem with that is, if you were not catholic then you were on your own. Why should the catholic church help anyone if they weren't in their 'club','gang'!
This goes for most religions and makes me sick!
Surely if we just helped our neighbour (no matter what denomination) then we should, we should not only do it because they are the same as us!
And dont get me started on what some religions feel about cotraception! What is it? The more the merrier? Or more for the pot?

No, as far as I am concerned, if you want to pray, then great, pray! It should not have to be 'their' way, with the begging plate in their hands and their rigid rules!

SnowOfHands · 07/12/2008 18:28

Because the only church nearby is Anglican. And I'm not.

Gemzooks · 08/12/2008 09:17

actually, I am drawn to the idea of going to a church for the community aspect. went to church as a kid. don't really believe in God or Christianity though, but like the aesthetics. quite attracted to the Unitarian church where people just get together and have a community without professing anything..

weblette · 08/12/2008 09:25

Humanist

ForeverOptimistic · 08/12/2008 09:26

It doesn't feel relevant to me.

I know so many people who go to church and the majority of them are hypocrits. I don't want to be like them. Some people see going to church as another example of their middle classness.

Occasionally I go to church on my own to pray. I take ds to the christmas eve service I don't do anymore than that as I don't want to be part of the whole church community.

Alambil · 09/12/2008 20:23

Because I don't trust them.

Been too hurt too many times by too many church leadership teams.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 20:27

Don't believe.

Couldn't take ds1 anyway (severely autistic).