Atheists who go to Church

[TMF]

Atheists Who Go to Church: Doing It for the Children - Yahoo! News

This story caught my eye on Yahoo. What was more interesting than the story were the extreme views from both sides in the comments section. I was curious to see how this would play out with a more rational crowd of differing opinions.

What are your thoughts? Please no bashing in either direction.

[Murgatroy]

The feeling of community and closeness offered by the church is one of the major selling points.

I was raised Mormon, my wife, Catholic. Neither of us have attended church since highschool.

Now that our daughter is in school, we have been seriously discussing going back to church. When I asked her what was more important, the message or the community, she answered the community. We will probably be heading to an LDS Sacrament Meeting in the near future.

Churches offer structure, a sense of help and community, for those that need and those that give. It creates life long friends, and as importantly as religion, it teaches morals. I am not an atheist, however I am not a devoutly faithful person either. There are many more things offered by being a regular member of a church, than just the promise of heaven. A regular education only teaches you how to add, how to read, how the states got their shapes, but an education from religion teaches you more of society and why we are the way we are. No single thing has shaped humanity more than religion, regardless of the faith.

If through this endeavor my daughter, my wife, or even myself can discover faith and peace, that is even more powerful. However more importantly to me, is the ability to show kindness in this life.

[Guest bkelm18]

Religious discussions never go well here.

I don't subscribe to any particular christian philosophy, nor any other religious philosophy for that matter. I do realize that religion and church offer a lot of benefits to people who are willing to accept it. I choose not to. That's my own personal belief, but I don't criticize anyone for believing what they believe and I think anyone who does (criticize that is) is extremely closed minded and blinded by their own faith.

Edited December 7, 2011 by bkelm18

[Caster]

Religious discussions never go well here.

No, they don't. Let me go ahead and put it in gear

There IS a God, He has an incredible sense of humor, but religion is a sham.

Atheists in church? Don't doubt it a bit. Hell will be packed with folks who warmed a pew every sunday.

[Lumber_Jack]

As a Christian I actually like the premiss of the story. But that's because I would welcome any atheist to come to church with the idea their mind could be changed.

On my phone I was unable to read the comments connected to the story, so maybe later today I can read those and opine more.

[Handsome Rob]

Religious discussions never go well here.

I don't subscribe to any particular christian philosophy, nor any other religious philosophy for that matter. I do realize that religion and church offer a lot of benefits to people who are willing to accept it. I choose not to. That's my own personal belief, but I don't criticize anyone for believing what they believe and I think anyone who does (criticize that is) is extremely closed minded and blinded by their own faith.

+1

[TMF]

On my phone I was unable to read the comments connected to the story, so maybe later today I can read those and opine more.

The comments were almost entirely close-minded and inflammatory (coming from both sides of the issue). The intolerance of people is made so transparent in discussions like that, especially in a anonymous environment with no sense of decorum. It shows the true nature of people. That's why I wanted to see it play out here where we share common interests but have very different opinions.

I think it's a great idea to expose your children to all aspects of religion; the good and the bad. Putting information into context and allowing kids to make choices of their own set the tone for raising a child to be an open minded adult. I think when we attempt to indoctrinate kids into a certain belief system it can go one of two ways: either close mindedness of other beliefs or complete rejection of their religious foundation. I used to work with a former Mormon who now hates Mormanism. Hate is a strong word, but it isn't strong enough to describe his opinions on it. He grew up in an environment completely shut off from the world, and then was thrust into that world and abandoned before he was 18. I think without experiencing his new surroundings in context he was unable to accept his new reality without rejecting the old one. The fact that he was never given the option is what I think caused him to have such strong feelings of resentment toward his former religion.

[peejman]

As a Christian I actually like the premiss of the story. But that's because I would welcome any atheist to come to church with the idea their mind could be changed.

.

This.

... I think it's a great idea to expose your children to all aspects of religion; the good and the bad. Putting information into context and allowing kids to make choices of their own set the tone for raising a child to be an open minded adult. I think when we attempt to indoctrinate kids into a certain belief system it can go one of two ways: either close mindedness of other beliefs or complete rejection of their religious foundation. ...

And this.

I think it's great that these folks are open minded enough to let their kids experience such things and decide for themselves.

As an engineer, basically all of what I do is based on science. Simply accepting some things on faith and without objective, tangible evidence is hard for me. But then, that why it's called "faith". I think it helps keep me humble and helps me keep things in perspective. For me (and I suspect many others), church is as much a social opportunity as anything else. You meet people from all walks of life and can learn valuable things from their experiences. One of my co-workers freely admits to attending mass simply to appease his wife.

[UncleJak]

I think "religion" is a very personal experience. It is also very individual. What works for one, may not work for another. I never get into discussions regarding particulars of belief with anyone. If someone wants to know what I believe, they can ask and I will tell them everything. Otherwise I keep it to myself and my family. The idea of exposing children to community is great. We need more people like this in the world. I wish everyone would be accepting of everyone else, but that probably isn't gonna happen anytime soon.

[R_Bert]

My take on it is attendees & observers often confuse "religion" for faith, and many "Christians" are not oriented towards real worship of Christ as defined in Scripture

Reference Matthew 25:34-46 & 1 Samuel 15:22

Oh yeah - Most of us are already "educated beyond our obedience" anyway. I know I am.

B.

Edited December 7, 2011 by R_Bert

[Caster]

Unclejak, you're pretty dead on except for nomenclature. Spirituality is a very personal experience that can cover Jesus Christ or whatever anyone else wants to put faith in. Religion is an institution that has been used and more often than not, abused to further the interests of men. A defining characteristic of all faiths is the desire to be more like that which one put faith into. Personally, I don't see God being very religious; bound by tradition and rules that can do as much damage as good.

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

We have never pushed anything onto our son.. ( except school work and values that we believe in)

Her went to church on his own.. got saved and baptized..All on his own.

We also believed he can make up his own mind about religion.

Do we share his views? no.. but we also do not go to church with him and pretend to believe .Either you do believe or you do not..

[UncleJak]

Thanks Caster, that's what I meant.

[Guest uzzi]

The biggest issue on how people perceive Christianity, is the people who proport to be a Christians. It would be more accurate to say or discuss what the bible actually says in the New Testament, as opposed to what people do in "churches." Because they are not the same. American churches so poorly reflect much of what is in the New Testament, it makes it hard to have a real discussion. In addition, "church" in the South is part of the culture and people talk about how they went to church the other day then begin to curse and light up a cigarette without a thought of the contradiction. It should reveal the state of so called "churches" that an athiest could sit through a "service" and feel no conviction of their sin and rebellion against God. The fact they can sit, hang out and not be affected is telling.

[Guest pfries]

I was raised Roman Catholic. I gave up on "Church" when I was in my teens, I do not prescribe to any particular Faith, I have a strong Faith , I am a Christian, I have my own relationship with my higher power, I belive in prayer and have fathered these ideas and ideals in my children. Three out of four of them that are old enough to choose for themselves and attend services. The two younger ones also attended Sunday school /Bible study on a regular basis. As they grew and questioned I would take them and encourage them to go with friends and family. What works and is comfortable for me may not be so for them. The principles and Ideals laid out by almost every faith are sound ones to incorporate into one’s life, morals and values are taught in every religion, I just wish these were not as lost on so many as they are. My youngest child Aiden will have the same opportunities as his siblings and will choose his path as he grows, he will have my support in whichever path he chooses to take.

Many great comments and thoughts posted above.

[Oh Shoot]

I go to a Baptist church about 6 times a year. Not because of any children, but to assuage my mom (whose faith is very much on a childlike level, just to stay on topic).

There's a Messianic Judaic church down the street from me, now there's a blend bound to mess with a youngster's mind, would seem to me.

I agree about the sense of community that a church provides, however -- even chipped at Unitarianism just toward that endeavor, but nah, the culture wasn't worth the comfort.

- OS

[R_Bert]

I go to a Baptist church about 6 times a year. Not because of any children, but to assuage my mom (whose faith is very much on a childlike level, just to stay on topic).

There's a Messianic Judaic church down the street from me, now there's a blend bound to mess with a youngster's mind, would seem to me.

I agree about the sense of community that a church provides, however -- even chipped at Unitarianism just toward that endeavor, but nah, the culture wasn't worth the comfort.

- OS

The Messianic Jews I have met have been incredible people. That church provides a great platform for folks coming across from Judiasm to Christianity. For someone *not* steeped in orthodoxy of Judaism, it is a lot to learn and keep in practice, but very rich in culture.

We work alongside some Messianic Jews in several of our missions and outreach ministries, and have a few attend some of our services as well (we are a large contemporary interdenominational congregation).

B.

[Caster]

Messianic Judaism is the epitome of Christ worship. Warmly embracing him as well as his people. He is after all the son of the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. It's the antithesis of the replacement theology some churches preach.

If I were to ever align myself with a specific church, it would be them. I even keep one of their marks with me