Non-believer

I don't blame you. I have found that it's not a matter of paying attention, but moreso finding the truth within yourself. That's why believers are so... moving... and non believers just don't get it-- no matter how much we read or sing. I'd love to have the unshakable faith some of my friends do.. but in the mean time, at least I've got my friends

Hidden Depths

I think it's pretty cool that you're so open minded even though you don't believe. I can't tell you how many Atheists I know who would never set foot in a church, and openly mock religion CONSTANTLY, regardless of their company. It's funny at first, but then it's just rude. Good to know there are some decent people out there!

Poetic Justice:

Are you saying that non-believers who don't go to church are not decent people?

Because I don't think someone's religious beliefs or non-beliefs make them decent or indecent. I am a non-believer so am I an indecent person then? I donate to worthy causes like Breast Cancer and the MS Foundation all the time. I am kind to people. I recycle. I am responsible. I just so happen to not believe in God.

I'm in no way a saint, either, but I still consider myself to be a pretty decent person. And Hidden Depths, what exactly is it that I just don't get?

Greta Garbage

If that's not what I said, then it's not what I meant to say! XD To back that point up, I will add that I DO believe in God... And I have never set foot in a church, either. With the exception of the one or two times my father dragged me in with him as a kid, kicking and screaming of course. So no, I am not one of those "Bible thumpers" (as my boyfriend calls them) who force-feeds their religion to everyone and thinks that you HAVE to go to church to be a decent person. I was just saying that the fact that s/he WILL go, even though they don't believe, is pretty impressive. I would say the same of a believer sitting in on an Atheism lecture. I like open minded people, even if their personal views never change

I was just wondering what you meant. It could have been taken either way! My family is Jewish and we never went to synagogue, even my grandmother who was religious. We couldn't afford to belong (you have to pay to belong to a synagogue). I also call them "bible thumpers", too lol I don't like people who push their religious views on others.

Greta Garbage

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't like people like that either, whether they're believers OR non-believers. And the over-the-top extremists can be ridiculous! It sucks that you would have had to pay to be a member of the synagogue. Believe it or not, sometimes their religion is the ONLY thing that gets people through each day, and those people are usually the ones barely getting by as it is. It doesn't seem fair to charge them for that comfort. But then again, I'm one of those people that feel like if you believe in any kind of higher power, he/she/it can probably hear you no matter which building you stand in, so it really doesn't matter haha

my point exactly! I have always said that if God existed wouldn't he hear you where ever you are? The ove the top extremists are one of the few reasons non-believers don't believe. They frighten them away. I understand about faith being the only thing getting some people by.

Greta Garbage

This is very common. I've been to some churches where only the minority of attendees were believers.

I love the story of Moses =)♥ Don't Take Life Too Seriously ♥

Severus Snape

I find it amusing how people always seem to jump to the extreme possible explaination of what someone says when it comes to anything relgion based.

ANYWAYS.

I understand the desire to be part of a church even if you don't follow their faith. It's a Family. A Close-knit community of people who take care of eachother.

It's the same kind of thing that draws people to support groups. It's a nurturing environment where everyone around you just plain wishes you well. No Drama or anything of the sort

Hmm the reason I stopped going to church was because of the people. At least at my old church they were all hypocrits, getting up on stage and telling us how to live our life for god then going home and cheating on their wives, being angry alcoholics, and spreading rumors about other church members.
Good for you though that your church is not like that

I would think ppl realized by now that God isn't an "old man on a cloud somewhere."

Going to church isn't about talking to God, it is about worshipping God as the body of Christ. The bible stresses assembly many times. Is it a salvation issue? I can't say so with certainty, but it is definitely strongly encouraged in the bible.

Well, I'm an Episcopalian, and I 'don't really believe in a bearded old man floating around on a cloud watching everything we do that we call "God"' either. God is....so much more than that. I find that a lot of spiritual truths in the Christian way are soooooooooooooo much more subtle than just the literalistic way of interpreting them.