Teen wants to attend church

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teen wants to attend church and join the youth group. I'm agnostic and hadn't been taking the kids to church but we used to go when they were younger, and we attend when visiting grandparents.

I actually like attending church, the mission work they do, and think it's an overall positive place for families. Problem is, I feel like I'm out of place because I'm not a believer.

I told my teen we'd go tomorrow and found a Lutheran church nearby that looks like a good fit. Do others feel this way? What's your advice? Ps, if it matters I'm a single parent...dad lives far away and not very involved.

OP, please go. I think you will be surprised at how welcome you feel. The church is nothing more than a group of people who struggle every day with their faith. There is nothing wrong with this -- doubt (or even "disbelief") is not the opposite of faith. It's part of it.

If your teen wants to go, it says to me that s/he is looking for a community. As I'm sure you know, there are far, far worse communities of kids that your child could be involved with. This is a very positive thing and if I were in your shoes, I would fully support.

Great response! I couldn't agree more!! Find a welcoming church your son likes. I would encourage it and its true, we all have doubts!! Even "believers"

Not everyone has religious doubts. Some people who have left supernatural-based religion have no doubts that they did the right thing. It can get hard trying to believe things that don't make sense and for which there is no evidence. It can be a great relief to stop trying to believe those things. Of course, it also means giving up the idea of eternal life or having a special powerful friend who's always looking out for you, but those were imaginary anyway.

Oh, here we go. As if on cue, the DCUM Resident Atheist chimes in again, telling us all how superior and enlightened s/he, compared to people with religious faith. For someone who is not a believer, PP, you sure do spend a lot of time in the Religion Form. I can only conclude that just because you claim to have given up on God, clearly the Holy Spirit has not given up on you.

There are several atheists here. Above was a simple explanation of how some people avoid religious doubt by not trying to make themselves believe things that seem unbelievable. There's nothing superior or enlightened about it. It's very simple.

The apparent need for "several" atheists (not convinced that is true) to constantly participate in discussions on the religion forum, and chime in with basically the same comment over and over, no matter the topic at hand, stems from a feeling of personal superiority. You're right, that is very simple to understand.

Except in the earlier case it's an atheist expressing his/her own point of view and in this case it's a believer speculating about who someone is and how they feel, i.e. mind reading.

[Anonymous]

I thought *I* was the resident dcum atheist? Good to know there is always a believer ready to get worked anytime someone makes any post that is non-diest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought *I* was the resident dcum atheist? Good to know there is always a believer ready to get worked anytime someone makes any post that is non-diest.

Maybe it's just one believer causing all the trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm agnostic and go to church every week. It's important to my husband, I like the pastor, and the missional outreach the congregation does. No one has ever asked me if I believe in God.

+1

You may have issues if you want to go to a place like McLean Bible, but I attend a very liberal Episcopalian church. I also realize that I have pledged to keep my mouth shut and nod appropriately because I have joined a community of believers. But in that kind of environment they don't really get up in your face about Jesus-this, Jesus-that and get asked about your personal relationship with God unless you specifically want to talk to the pastor about that.

A seeker -friendly church like McLean Bible has a sizeable questioning/agnostic percentage each week. There is a class called Christianity 101 for non-believers. It's a great place to go learn the tenants of the Christian faith, serve others, fellowship, and worship God!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it! Our youth group is huge and the religious material is minimal. it's been a wonderful addition to our children's lives and has provided some grounding.

It's strange that you think this is a selling point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it! Our youth group is huge and the religious material is minimal. it's been a wonderful addition to our children's lives and has provided some grounding.

It's strange that you think this is a selling point.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm agnostic and go to church every week. It's important to my husband, I like the pastor, and the missional outreach the congregation does. No one has ever asked me if I believe in God.

+1

You may have issues if you want to go to a place like McLean Bible, but I attend a very liberal Episcopalian church. I also realize that I have pledged to keep my mouth shut and nod appropriately because I have joined a community of believers. But in that kind of environment they don't really get up in your face about Jesus-this, Jesus-that and get asked about your personal relationship with God unless you specifically want to talk to the pastor about that.

A seeker -friendly church like McLean Bible has a sizeable questioning/agnostic percentage each week. There is a class called Christianity 101 for non-believers. It's a great place to go learn the tenants of the Christian faith, serve others, fellowship, and worship God!

There are people at McLean Bible Church who rent Christianity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm agnostic and go to church every week. It's important to my husband, I like the pastor, and the missional outreach the congregation does. No one has ever asked me if I believe in God.

+1

You may have issues if you want to go to a place like McLean Bible, but I attend a very liberal Episcopalian church. I also realize that I have pledged to keep my mouth shut and nod appropriately because I have joined a community of believers. But in that kind of environment they don't really get up in your face about Jesus-this, Jesus-that and get asked about your personal relationship with God unless you specifically want to talk to the pastor about that.

A seeker -friendly church like McLean Bible has a sizeable questioning/agnostic percentage each week. There is a class called Christianity 101 for non-believers. It's a great place to go learn the tenants of the Christian faith, serve others, fellowship, and worship God!

Pp doesn't sound like a "seeker" who is looking for a Christianity 101 class - just someone who likes going with her husband to a church where no one asks about her beliefs.

Of course, people do change, so maybe she and her husband should try a fundamentalist church and see how they like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all of the feedback! We went today, and while nice, didn't seem to be the fit we were looking for. My two dc and I discussed the service, and what we liked and didn't so much, and we decided to try a few more out before making any decision on one.

My other child, who was resistent to going, actually told me of her interest in one of the volunteering activities they offer. Then we had a nice lunch, great family time today! I'm looking forward to finding a place where we feel like part of the community. We've had a rough year or so, having gone through divorce, but feel like our family unit is strong and growing daily.

Any suggestions for liberal leaning churches in Fairfax area? Next on our list is Vienna uu...but would like to try a few others too. Not sure I understand uu, but I'm sure will learn.

I recommend looking for a United Methodist Church, especially one which is considers itself a "reconciling congregation", which means the church does not go along with the larger Methodist Church and welcomes people of all sexual orientations .."We are a community where believers, seekers and doubters of every race, ethnicity, age, ability, socioeconomic status, gender identity and sexual orientation are valued as beloved children of God. All are welcome "

They are the more liberal of the Methodist which is relatively liberal. Also the Congregational Church is more liberal and check out the Unity Church (there is one in Fairfax), I think that may be the most liberal of all which still consider itself Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all of the feedback! We went today, and while nice, didn't seem to be the fit we were looking for. My two dc and I discussed the service, and what we liked and didn't so much, and we decided to try a few more out before making any decision on one.

My other child, who was resistent to going, actually told me of her interest in one of the volunteering activities they offer. Then we had a nice lunch, great family time today! I'm looking forward to finding a place where we feel like part of the community. We've had a rough year or so, having gone through divorce, but feel like our family unit is strong and growing daily.

Any suggestions for liberal leaning churches in Fairfax area? Next on our list is Vienna uu...but would like to try a few others too. Not sure I understand uu, but I'm sure will learn.

Depending on what didn't seem to fit, maybe try it again on a different Sunday, or don't if you already know it's not right. I'd try all of the churches in the area whose websites seem to interest you, specifically the youth programs. I know teens who attend church on their own just because they've made so many friends in the teen programs. I think it's great for believes and nonbelievers.