Anyone attend church only for social reasons?

[Anonymous]

I am very interested in starting to attend church for the social network and community that it brings, however I am an agnostic as is my husband. I'm not anti-religious, so I don't think it would be difficult for me to keep my agnostic views to myself, but I'm curious as to whether there are other many other people whose primary motivation for attending church is social, and just bite their tongues and play along when needed.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to be friends with religious people? If so, go for it. On the other hand if you’re just going to roll your eyes (and believe me, you’ll want to) probably not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't you get... bored? I get bored in church and I am a believer.

Can't you go to Unitarian Universalist or something?

[Anonymous]

Lots of people obviously do. You may do it to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am very interested in starting to attend church for the social network and community that it brings, however I am an agnostic as is my husband. I'm not anti-religious, so I don't think it would be difficult for me to keep my agnostic views to myself, but I'm curious as to whether there are other many other people whose primary motivation for attending church is social, and just bite their tongues and play along when needed.

You should pick a liberal church (Episcopal) if you are agnostic. It's pretty big on ritual, sermons that we can get behind, and community service. Plus, I think the overall IQ is higher, so there seems to be a fair number of book clubs. Ours had a yearly chili cook off and trivia night with only one religious category.

[Anonymous]

I do not think it is a bad idea. If you are agnostic, then you are open to maybe changing your beliefs too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am very interested in starting to attend church for the social network and community that it brings, however I am an agnostic as is my husband. I'm not anti-religious, so I don't think it would be difficult for me to keep my agnostic views to myself, but I'm curious as to whether there are other many other people whose primary motivation for attending church is social, and just bite their tongues and play along when needed.

You should pick a liberal church (Episcopal) if you are agnostic. It's pretty big on ritual, sermons that we can get behind, and community service. Plus, I think the overall IQ is higher, so there seems to be a fair number of book clubs. Ours had a yearly chili cook off and trivia night with only one religious category.

Uh, higher than...? At other churches? Other denominations? Let me guess, the words “Don’t judge” are mainstays in your vocabulary.

[Anonymous]

Social reasons were my dad's explanation for going to church. He was an atheist/agnostic in a rural community. He probably did not share his (lack of) belief a lot. Even though I am no longer a believer, I attend events at his original church (a small rural church where services ended in the 90s but is still used for special events attended by people who attend the larger church some small churches were consolidated into, and descendants of the families that originally belonged to the church).

That kind of relationship with a church is not uncommon in rural areas. Years ago there was an interesting public radio program about that, interviewed people from rural Minnesota who were atheist/agnostic but did go to church, some because it would kill their business not to (an insurance guy whose pastor knew exactly why he attended and was ok with it), others just because belonging to their community was important/did not want to lose that social connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to be friends with religious people? If so, go for it. On the other hand if you’re just going to roll your eyes (and believe me, you’ll want to) probably not a good idea.

I want to be friends with them, but I guess I'm hoping that there will be a lot of other people who while maybe not agnostic, aren't really very religious and are just there for social reasons as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am very interested in starting to attend church for the social network and community that it brings, however I am an agnostic as is my husband. I'm not anti-religious, so I don't think it would be difficult for me to keep my agnostic views to myself, but I'm curious as to whether there are other many other people whose primary motivation for attending church is social, and just bite their tongues and play along when needed.

You should pick a liberal church (Episcopal) if you are agnostic. It's pretty big on ritual, sermons that we can get behind, and community service. Plus, I think the overall IQ is higher, so there seems to be a fair number of book clubs. Ours had a yearly chili cook off and trivia night with only one religious category.

Uh, higher than...? At other churches? Other denominations? Let me guess, the words “Don’t judge” are mainstays in your vocabulary.

LOL. Yes, that post is enough to keep me out of Episcopalian churches for the rest of my life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't you get... bored? I get bored in church and I am a believer.

Can't you go to Unitarian Universalist or something?

I can deal with the sermons, and often I find them interesting even if I don't agree with the source of inspiration for them. Really I'm more in it for the volunteer opportunities, clubs, etc. I have tried UU churches in the past, but honestly most of the people I've met there are a little too unconventional for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to be friends with religious people? If so, go for it. On the other hand if you’re just going to roll your eyes (and believe me, you’ll want to) probably not a good idea.

talk about judgy (and I'm agnostic/atheist)

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Please come! It has ended well for many!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=John%2b20:24-29&version=NIV&interface=amp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am very interested in starting to attend church for the social network and community that it brings, however I am an agnostic as is my husband. I'm not anti-religious, so I don't think it would be difficult for me to keep my agnostic views to myself, but I'm curious as to whether there are other many other people whose primary motivation for attending church is social, and just bite their tongues and play along when needed.

You should pick a liberal church (Episcopal) if you are agnostic. It's pretty big on ritual, sermons that we can get behind, and community service. Plus, I think the overall IQ is higher, so there seems to be a fair number of book clubs. Ours had a yearly chili cook off and trivia night with only one religious category.

Uh, higher than...? At other churches? Other denominations? Let me guess, the words “Don’t judge” are mainstays in your vocabulary.

LOL. Yes, that post is enough to keep me out of Episcopalian churches for the rest of my life!

pp here-- I'm also agnostic and sometimes go to my local Episcopal church, don't judge the church by my statement- they would be horrified. OP was asking, as a non religious person where she would feel most comfortable attending church for social reasons-- as a non religious person I gave her my answer.