Not religious but love feeling at Church

Ilona

When I am out walking I always check to see if a church door is unlocked. I love to go inside and sit quietly for a few minutes to say thank you for giving me this lovely day. I feel a sense of calmness all around me.

I used to clean the church in my village, it was nice to be there for two hours by myself. I loved singing while I was dusting.

I am not religious, don't go to services, I just love churches.

Ilona

Anoneemoose

onlyroz wrote: »

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.

This sounds fab! I will have a read about that. Thank you.

Anoneemoose

rach_k wrote: »

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.

This is it exactly. I love the building and the one we go to has a beautiful organ assembly. And I love the smell as well. It all seems very peaceful.

System

I miss the church community. Just dont miss the pressure to attend every week.

Person_one

Anoneemoose wrote: »

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.

Why not try a Quaker meeting? It sounds like it might suit you.

https://www.quaker.org.uk/about-quakers/our-faith/how-quakers-worship

That page does talk about God, but its not quite the same concept as in other Christian based groups:

https://www.quaker.org.uk/about-quakers/our-faith

lobbyludd

I love old buildings and therefore really love being in old churches, I find religion (as a non-believer) quite fascinating intellectually: the commonalities, the differences, the explanation etc. Ritual can be comforting and many religions (from an outsiders point of view) have a sensible common core of how to live in a society (if I ignore the deity bits - which obviously for a believer is the critical bit).

I accompany my step-father to his local church every time we visit - we recently lost my mother and he has found profound comfort in his beliefs, and I feel it's nice for him not to have to walk in alone - as this is something he shared with my mother.

I use the time to contemplate my own purpose and life and dealings with others, a sort of meditation. I like the fact that in this particular church, people before me have contemplated their place in the universe for hundreds of years, but it hasn't brought me to believe in a supreme being.

the congregation (which is v. small) largely know that, and appear to accept and celebrate my reasons for attendance (i.e. supporting my step-father). It's a very old school, high church C of E congregation, and neither I nor they are trying to change each other's beliefs.

POPPYOSCAR

I am not a lover of churches but I do like graveyards.

I find them very peaceful and interesting.

System

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I am not a lover of churches but I do like graveyards.

I find them very peaceful and interesting.

Glad you said that cause i do too. Great place to put things into perspective and to meditate.

worried_jim

I am very anti all religion and think it's the root of most of humanities evils but I like the Lords prayer and say it to myself from time to time like singing a Beatles song.

Hedgehog99

I like churches from an architectural point of view, and they're usually a cooler place to go on a really hot day, but I feel a total fish out of water if there is a service. Not so much the hymns because I remember those from school, but as an atheist, I cannot believe in the prayers.

I'm happy to go to services for others - weddings etc because then the service is for them and they believe it, so, somehow, I don't feel a hypocrite for attending.