Not religious but love feeling at Church

Anoneemoose

Ilona wrote: »

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

This sounds lovely. I used to like walking but can't now but the thought of stopping for a rest in a beautiful old building sounds wonderful.

sillyvixen

We have a lady who has started attending our church with severe learning disabilities, she used to attend the church with her parents, untill she went into residential care as a teenager. Her father died many years ago and her mum died last year (her mum had not attended for several years due to Ill health). she does not believe in God, but takes comfort from coming to church because she feels close to her parents.

As a church we will try to recognise and accomadate her needs.

hazyjo

I went to a C of E school and used to sing in the church choir, but have fainted quite a lot in church (it's the devil in me lol)!

I sort of know what you mean though. I'm not mad on churches, but like the hymns and I used to love going to my friend's Methodist church, and liked all the associated evening clubs/outings (and Sunday School and Brownies and all that).

I don't like religion and don't agree with much of it, and don't believe though. I'm more spiritual than anything. I don't have kids, but if I did, weirdly I would like them to do the churchy things I did and learn the stories, etc. I think it's more like Father Christmas or stories/legends to me, it taught good morals and life lessons, but I saw it more like 'fables' than religion.

My best mate is Indian (and follows lots of religious rules and beliefs) but she adores church - especially Catholic church. She actually wants to join, but I think they've told her she needs to choose and she can't. She goes along to services.

Do whatever makes you happy - you don't need to stick a label on anything or excuse or explain anything you do. It doesn't have to make sense, just do what's right for you.

Jx

ERICS_MUM

I'm agnostic rather than atheist. I love Christmas carols and hymns but not the way religions are 'organised'.

Oddly I find spiritual comfort in old buildings including churches, as though the people who had been there over the centuries are still there in some way.

Religion of whatever faith is a funny old thing, how can you describe such fierce beliefs that have moulded human lives for millennia. I find it fascinating, but horrific in places and some eras.

fierystormcloud

Judi wrote: »

I miss the church community. Just don't miss the pressure to attend every week.

I know someone who struggles with this. Says she likes the people (most of them!) at Church, but sometimes doesn't want to go or can't go for 4-5 weeks, and when she does go, there's always someone who says 'haven't seen you here for a while, is everything OK? Hello stranger.' Which roughly translated means 'why have you not been for 5 weeks?' They can dress it up as concern, but they're questioning why you have not been for 5 weeks; that's the long and short of it.

She also says that the vicar and several others who are very regular and do readings in Church etc, are ALWAYS asking people to do the flowers, do the teas, clean the church, tend the gardens etc. It seems some people at the Church are not happy with people attending every few weeks.

Gloomendoom

Judi wrote: »

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

fierystormcloud wrote: »

I know someone who struggles with this. Says she likes the people (most of them!) at Church, but sometimes doesn't want to go or can't go for 4-5 weeks, and when she does go, there's always someone who says 'haven't seen you here for a while, is everything OK? Hello stranger.' Which roughly translated means 'why have you not been for 5 weeks?' They can dress it up as concern, but they're questioning why you have not been for 5 weeks; that's the long and short of it.

I think your friend is being too sensitive. My wife and I are regular church goers. Although we tend to go to the local church most often, if we don't like the time of the service (too early) we will go to another church that has a later service. We also have family scattered all over the UK and abroad so we can be a away from home for five weeks or so.

Yes, when we return, people do ask where we have been, some may have said "Hello stranger", but I'd be surprised if they didn't. It's only human nature to be curious. I certainly don't pick up any of the subtext that you claim to be present at your friend's church.

In short, we have not experienced any pressure to attend every week.

Person_one

fierystormcloud wrote: »

there's always someone who says 'haven't seen you here for a while, is everything OK? Hello stranger.' Which roughly translated means 'why have you not been for 5 weeks?' They can dress it up as concern, but they're questioning why you have not been for 5 weeks; that's the long and short of it.

I think that's a bit unfair. They probably really are just saying hello and wondering if you're ok...

Fireflyaway

Maybe there is some kind of spiritual connection and you just don't realise? I remember watching Kate Humble on TV burst into tears for no apparent reason when she heard the Islamic call to prayer. Even if you don't believe in God there might be something that touches you on another level (Different from the 5 senses) without you realising? If it makes you happy that's cool. I'm Muslim and enjoy all religious buildings, there is a calmness and respect you don't often find elsewhere .

DigForVictory

I've a very soft spot for places of worship built centuries ago by folk doing their very best for the glory of whomever they believed in. The stonework, the stained glass, the carved wood - it can be so glorious. The mosques as much as the cathedrals.

Some places just don't have that sense of communication possible.

Gloomendoom

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Maybe there is some kind of spiritual connection and you just don't realise? I remember watching Kate Humble on TV burst into tears for no apparent reason when she heard the Islamic call to prayer.

I've been reduced to tears when hearing the Islamic call to prayer.

Never book an hotel opposite a mosque.



(OT, but is it an hotel or a hotel? An just looks wrong.)