Going to the church for the first time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

+1 People here generalize a lot. Also they speak for others and groups of others. It’s a messed up dynamic.

[Anonymous]

Just try a few. Then repeat the ones that you liked more. Tons of people ‘church shop’.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

Actually, other people here HAVE expressed their opinions and have said that new people are welcomed at churches. You have a different opinion? Please express it. I would love to hear about churches that are not welcoming. Please name a few if you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, just come on in! People will be thrilled you're there but won't put you on the spot.

If you let us know where you are geographically, we can recommend some low-stress nearby options.

NP: I have been to smaller churches that ask visitors to stand, and sometimes to state their names and their “church homes”. Since at some churches, it might be obvious that you’re a visitor, you might want to be prepared for this. (“I’m visiting today. Thank you for welcoming me to your church community.”). It’s not intended to put you on the spot, and recognizing you as a visitor, church members may seek you out to welcome you more personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

Actually, other people here HAVE expressed their opinions and have said that new people are welcomed at churches. You have a different opinion? Please express it. I would love to hear about churches that are not welcoming. Please name a few if you can.

“OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.“

Pp, why are you speaking for op? Why would op not be happy to be at a welcoming church?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

Actually, other people here HAVE expressed their opinions and have said that new people are welcomed at churches. You have a different opinion? Please express it. I would love to hear about churches that are not welcoming. Please name a few if you can.

“OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.“

Pp, why are you speaking for op? Why would op not be happy to be at a welcoming church?

Am speaking for myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

Actually, other people here HAVE expressed their opinions and have said that new people are welcomed at churches. You have a different opinion? Please express it. I would love to hear about churches that are not welcoming. Please name a few if you can.

“OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.“

Pp, why are you speaking for op? Why would op not be happy to be at a welcoming church?

Am speaking for myself.

NP. OK, so you’re anti-church. OP clearly is not. Why would you think your opinions would be helpful to OP? Or did you just see another chance to snark at religion. You need a new hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a church goer but I have been to enough churches to know you just walk in. They are set up to greet you and get you more involved in the church. That’s the point of the church.

+1 -- also unless you go to a fundamentalist or Catholic church, there is no presumption or requirement that you believe in God. In the liberal Christian churches (Episcopal, UCC, Methodist, Presbyterian) there are openly agnostic parishioners.

As someone who knows both fundies and catholics, either would be happy to have an agnostic start going to church. They're confident in their services.

OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.

Something like 40% of the US population identifies as either Catholic or evangelical Christian. You can’t possibly comment on how 100 million different people feel about anything.

Sure I can -- churches are generally welcoming and therefore happy to see new people come to their services. Plus, it's my opinion and no stats are needed to express an opinion.

You are expressing an opinion on how other people would feel. Let other people speak about how they feel.

Actually, other people here HAVE expressed their opinions and have said that new people are welcomed at churches. You have a different opinion? Please express it. I would love to hear about churches that are not welcoming. Please name a few if you can.

“OH, they would be happy to see OP walk through their church door, but OP might not be so happy to be there.“

Pp, why are you speaking for op? Why would op not be happy to be at a welcoming church?

Am speaking for myself.

NP. OK, so you’re anti-church. OP clearly is not. Why would you think your opinions would be helpful to OP? Or did you just see another chance to snark at religion. You need a new hobby.

Seems like most people here are trying to help OP, but some are picking fights with other posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, just come on in! People will be thrilled you're there but won't put you on the spot.

If you let us know where you are geographically, we can recommend some low-stress nearby options.

NP: I have been to smaller churches that ask visitors to stand, and sometimes to state their names and their “church homes”. Since at some churches, it might be obvious that you’re a visitor, you might want to be prepared for this. (“I’m visiting today. Thank you for welcoming me to your church community.”). It’s not intended to put you on the spot, and recognizing you as a visitor, church members may seek you out to welcome you more personally.

Correct, and if you don't want to stand, you don't have to. Often people are visiting their relatives' churches and want to be acknowledged - or don't mind it. Other times, they may have popped in at a church while away from home and prefer to fade into the woodwork.

People are generally welcoming at church, to each other and to strangers.

I once went to a Catholic mass sung in Latin in downtown San Francisco that was a big tourist draw. When the priest welcomed visitors, a lot of people stood up.