Crazeegirly

Hi SLD ~

I have to say since my "deconversion" almost 3 yrs. ago I haven't set foot in a church. I don't plan on entering one ever again unless it is for a very close family member's funeral.

~Crazeegirly~

Defiant Heretic

I used to go for the free donuts. What did that make me?

Proxima Centauri

Many people in the United States who don't believe in God go to the Unitarian Church for the social thing.
If you like the social thing you could try that. Many Internet Infidels are comfortable with the Unitarians.
If you are comfortable and like staying in bed or doing something else on Sunday mornings that's also OK.
Overall about 40% of Americans go to church. 60% of Americans stay at home. Just do what you like.

scombrid

Mmmmmmmmmmm, Dooooonnnnnuuttttsssssss aaghaghagaghaghaahahghhghghahghghhhghgghghhhgggghg gh

Shake

Ah, yes, Groucho! Thanks, BB!

I've "heard" folks here at IIDB complain about UUs being almost too inclusive. They try to cover too much, which is almost sort of like the a la carte style religion which some have so much trouble with. Although, as I said in another thread, I'd sooner deal with a UU attendee or liberal Xian over some fundy Xian any day! Much easier to get along with.

openeyes

I went to church for years after I became a non-believer when I visited my parent because they didn't know and I was afraid to tell them.

I also joined a church where I live when I got pregnant, not because I needed the church for guidance in raising my kids, but I knew if I didn't have them baptized that would be noticeable, and I wasn't ready to spill the beans on my atheism and risk having us all "excommunicated" from the family.

We continued to attend when I visited my family. It was interesting that sometimes my kids would be the only ones among their Catholic cousins following along with responses and songs in the "missalette" as the rest of the congregation seemed largely anesthetized.

Since coming out late last summer with my atheism, we haven't been expected to attend. Yay! (I had quit attending where I live years ago.)

wally

For "making Nice' - my wife still buys the story lock, stock and Angel (tm). Her favorite statuery is angels. several sitting around. She was raised in a Lutheran grade school and Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. She even has a pillow embroidered "I believe in angels"

I go on occasion to be nice and not cause a scene.

SLD

Certainly, my freethinking isn't enough for me to want to cause a scene also - especially because I actually like my inlaws (although I think my wife has told them). Nor do I see any need to upset my aging mother - although she would probably understand the most since my brother is pretty open about his lack of belief.

I should add that church doesn't really bother me so much. I do sometimes like to hear what the minister has to say (they don't all rant and rave fundamentally). I recall a very good sermon once about the meaning of Jesus feeding the multitude with only a few fish and bread - and relating it to how we always run around worrying so much about our how well off we are and how much more stuff we think we need. It was a good point, and I remember thinking that even as a freethinker I agreed and enjoyed the sermon.

Of course, he retired and they did bring in a semi-fundy. That certainly helped me make up my mind not to go back. His first sermon he insulted my entire generation. Not something I wanted to here.

:banghead:

SLD

Opera Nut

I went trolling at a MegaMethodist church with a very huge and active singles group. I played a lot of volleyball. All the guys were scared of the girls. No guy would ask me out and if I asked them out, they would make bullshit excuses.

Then I went trolling at the local big Unitarian church with a very small and very disorganized singles group, run by a great big dominant male that ruined it. There I met my shackmate, who is also an atheist. I wouldn't tell an atheist/agnostic to go trolling anyplace but Mensa/U-U church/amateur orchestra/arts organization.

Besides, Unitarians worship the coffeepot in the morning - it is the supreme power on Sunday mornings!

Also I have heard people admit, "I came for the COOKIES!!".

Howay the Toon

I have never attended a single regular church service in my life. Only about half a dozen weddings.

Maybe I should get a long-service medal from the EAC leadership.