Not religious but love feeling at Church

Anoneemoose

As the title says, I am not religious at all and don't believe in God, however, when I have attended church for anything, I always feel calm and comforted.

We normally go to a Christingle service on Christmas Eve at a church near my mum's, but we didn't this year and I really missed it. I know part of that will be because it is a tradition and it didn't happen, but another part of it is because I really like being in the church itself.

Does anyone else feel the same or is it hust me??:D

fierystormcloud

Anoneemoose wrote: »

As the title says, I am not religious at all and don't believe in God, however, when I have attended church for anything, I always feel calm and comforted.

We normally go to a Christingle service on Christmas Eve at a church bear my mum's, but we didn't this year and I really missed it. I know part of that will be because it is a tradition and it didn't happen, but another part of it is because I really like being in the church itself.

Does anyone else feel the same or is it just me??:D

Churches are very calming, quiet, and comforting places, and it's cool and fine and understandable to feel 'nice' in them, but it seems a bit odd (IMO) to want to go if you are atheist (which you are if you don't believe in God.)

Hope this thread stays friendly and civil.

copperclock

A lot of church of England practice, like prayer, Psalms, and hymns, are quite hypnotic. It's also usually pretty quiet and slow-paced. You don't have to focus on anything apart from what you're doing while you're there.

Like you, I'm an atheist. I find church buildings calming, but I dislike being caught up in any kind of worship and avoid it strongly.

Anoneemoose

fierystormcloud wrote: »

Churches are very calming, quiet, and comforting places, and it's cool and fine and understandable to feel 'nice' in them, but it seems a bit odd (IMO) to want to go if you are atheist (which you are if you don't believe in God.)

I am a bit concerned this thread will turn into a Christian bashing thread. I do hope not.

Ooh, me too, that certainly wasn't my intention. So please can we not post anything like that. Mine is a genuine curiousity and what you say about churches being calming is right.

It does seem a bit odd, I suppose, but my kids like the Christingle and although we don't believe, I am keen for them to keep an open mind and decide themselves. The church we go to is one I went to as a child for Sunday school and youth clubs, so it does feel familiar, too.

fierystormcloud

Anoneemoose wrote: »

Ooh, me too, that certainly wasn't my intention. So please can we not post anything like that. Mine is a genuine curiousity and what you say about churches being calming is right.

It does seem a bit odd, I suppose, but my kids like the Christingle and although we don't believe, I am keen for them to keep an open mind and decide themselves. The church we go to is one I went to as a child for Sunday school and youth clubs, so it does feel familiar, too.

Oh no I didn't think you were going to start attacking Christians hun. :grouphug: Sorry if you thought I meant that... The comment wasn't aimed at you.

It's just whenever anyone mentions religion on here, someone starts having a go about it, so all I said was that I hope no-one comes on and starts attacking people.

Anoneemoose

fierystormcloud wrote: »

Oh no I didn't think you were going to start attacking Christians hun. :grouphug: Sorry if you thought I meant that... The comment wasn't aimed at you.

It's just whenever anyone mentions religion on here, someone starts having a go about it, so all I said was that I hope no-one comes on and starts attacking people.

It's ok! I didn't think you meant me - I just wanted to make it clear that's not what I want on this thread.

I was just genuinely interested in exploring if I was the only one. Thank you for your comments.

Anoneemoose

copperclock wrote: »

A lot of church of England practice, like prayer, Psalms, and hymns, are quite hypnotic. It's also usually pretty quiet and slow-paced. You don't have to focus on anything apart from what you're doing while you're there.

Like you, I'm an atheist. I find church buildings calming, but I dislike being caught up in any kind of worship and avoid it strongly.

This sounds exactly like me. It must be the calmness of it all, I suppose. I don't mind listening to the worship, albeit I feel a bit hypocritical while it's going on. But it is nice to see people who do believe enjoying their time there, too.

Torry_Quine

http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable/Episodes/Unbelievable-My-friend-the-atheist-churchgoer-Joe-Ogborn-Tom-Hallam

Is on just this topic. An atheist goes to church with his Christian friend

rach_k

I'm not a Christian but I find churches (proper old ones, not a gathering in a village hall) to be one of the places where I feel most at peace. There's just something about it all - the smells, the quiet (or the singing!), the candles, the beautiful windows, creaky old pews. I'm not sure if it's that it reminds me of childhood or whether it's something I've taken on from films or whether they're just nice places but I don't think it matters. I don't share many of the beliefs of the people there but I think we have the same core values and that's what matters to me. I'm not sure every worshipper would agree but every vicar I've met has been very open to non-Christians attending so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong if I go along sometimes.

onlyroz

Have you considered something like the Sunday Assembly?

http://www.sundayassembly.com

I've never been, but I understand that it's basically like a secular church service with songs, readings etc, just without the references to God.

pollypenny

I know what you mean, OP.

I like it, too, until the platitudes start.