Anyone attend church only for social reasons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
UU church just seemed a little wacky to me. I tried a couple of times but the second time some lady started taking about how she was really a Wiccan.

Personally, I'd rather be in a congregation where people with diverse beliefs are welcomed than in a congregation where there is a clear doctrine that I (and others?) disagree with but put up with for social reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Wrong - raised Catholic -- besides any church keeps records and knows who is pledging what - they need that info like any other orgaization depending on members to pay the bills.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

Wrong - raised Catholic -- besides any church keeps records and knows who is pledging what - they need that info like any other orgaization depending on members to pay the bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ "Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice. "

I am not in a Catholic church but most people in my church do direct deposit.

And they notice that as well. They've got to know what's coming in - it's common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ "Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice. "

I am not in a Catholic church but most people in my church do direct deposit.

And they notice that as well. They've got to know what's coming in - it's common sense.

What don't you understand? OP is talking about attending church. I do this all over the place. Wherever I can find a Church that has a service that fits my schedule. Currently 3 different churches for the past 4 years. They may notice if your name is on a check for the mailing list or something else but there is no one at mass to scold you. What exactly do you think happens? I can blindly go in to any Catholic church and attend mass and go for the next week, month or 25 years and no one is going to question me. That is simply not how it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

And how do you think any of this affects your ability to attend mass? It doesn't

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ "Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice. "

I am not in a Catholic church but most people in my church do direct deposit.

And they notice that as well. They've got to know what's coming in - it's common sense.

What don't you understand? OP is talking about attending church. I do this all over the place. Wherever I can find a Church that has a service that fits my schedule. Currently 3 different churches for the past 4 years. They may notice if your name is on a check for the mailing list or something else but there is no one at mass to scold you. What exactly do you think happens? I can blindly go in to any Catholic church and attend mass and go for the next week, month or 25 years and no one is going to question me. That is simply not how it works.

Yes - anyone can go "blindly" into any church and give or not give -- without hassle.

However, if you want to JOIN, then there is an expectation in any church, that you give in an organized way -- by pledging a specific amount per year, the giving weekly or monthly by regular check, or by automatic bank deductions.

A lot of churches will tell you what the suggested pledge is for your family income. And many churches will have an annual meeting where they provide specific info about pledging, without mentioning specific names, e.g., "Parents with children tend to give between $X and X$; singles give X and empty nesters give X"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

And how do you think any of this affects your ability to attend mass? It doesn't

That's pp's ways of saying previous pp was accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

And how do you think any of this affects your ability to attend mass? It doesn't

That's pp's ways of saying previous pp was accurate.

I am PP and not, it's not accurate at all anywhere I have ever been. I am just tired of responding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

And how do you think any of this affects your ability to attend mass? It doesn't

That's pp's ways of saying previous pp was accurate.

I am PP and not, it's not accurate at all anywhere I have ever been. I am just tired of responding.

but is still responding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

I don't know or care who "tithes" or "pledges" to the church. And I don't care how much you believe or whether you're a skeptic, but I don't get why people who aren't authentically interested in exploring their faith would want to be part of a faith community. You know, there are other ways to make friends -- be kind to your neighbors, get to know the parents at your kids' schools, reach out to classmates from your college or grad school . . . or, as suggested earlier, join a country club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go to an Episcopal church. The vestry would prefer I give through ACH transfer, but since there is a fee associated with that, and I don’t itemize my tax deductions, I prefer to give cash. There is always cash in the plate, so no one knows which bills are mine. It’s fine.

Actually, it's fine for you, but not for the church. If the vestry doesn't know how much you and other parishioners will contribute, how can they budget and plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to a presbyterian church for this exact reason. It was the only way I could find to meet people our age, with kids our age. We tried a few, found one where we got along with the other young adults, had similar drinking / going out / partying / staying in habits, and were immediately invited in to the friend groups. We do lots of volunteering with them, as well as community fun things - camping trips, Hershey Park, apple picking, baking for the cold weather shelter... No regrets here. And approx. 12% chance I believe in it LOL

Honest question. If you guys attend church for social reason, do you tithe (offering)? Do you join/become a member?

How do other church members view the non-tithed member?

My belief is not as strong as it once was and have not been to church regularly for a long time. I had great time as member of youth/children group in a church setting and would like my children to experience the same. Not sure if I want to join a church and give tithe when I don't believe that much anymore.

No one knows whether you're paying or not - there is no list - and AGAIN - you can try it out as long as you want, until you die if you like. No one is going to say anything.

There may not be a published list, but the church staff and leadership knows who's pledging what.

Explain then? Seems to me that if you are writing a check every month, the people who are in charge of depositing that money would eventually notice.

Wrong. You're clearly not Catholic.

The doors are open to all there is no staff there take a roll call or attendance. You can donate or not, you can write a check or give cash or give items or give nothing. You can mail checks, you can submit online, you can drop in a drop box at the church, you can donate during the offertory. No one is going to "eventually notice" - however if you want to join the parish you may do so formally through the rectory - people would do this for several reasons including receiving the sacraments and or/ school or having your favorite priests responsible for your soul but it is not necessary. People on DCUM have a very weird notion of what they think takes place at Catholic mass. It's not like anything you read here.

So, ignore this post as well?

The reason people "eventually notice" is because it's standard business practice to know where your organization's revenue is coming from. It would be derelict not to know. Only cash donations would be untraceable and even then the staff counts how much they get anonymously each week in the basket.

ALso I know of churches who discourage regular cash donations on Sundays - specifically because it's not traceable and because they know that people who plan to give a certain amount every week in cash frequently drop off their standard amount and/or don't make up for Sundays they aren't there.

CHurches love regular deductions from your bank account, because then you give even when not there and may keep giving out of guilt or forgetfulness after you've lost interest in the church.

And how do you think any of this affects your ability to attend mass? It doesn't

That's pp's ways of saying previous pp was accurate.

I am PP and not, it's not accurate at all anywhere I have ever been. I am just tired of responding.

but is still responding.

I was only responding to refute your inaccurate assumption that PP's version was accurate IMO, which it is not. YMMV.