You do not have to go to Church to be a Christian.

[tonywiltshire]

I probably go to Church for all the wrong reasons. I always have, I enjoy the atmosphere, I like the ritual, I like to sing (others may not like to listen), I enjoy the company and I like to praise God.
I consider myself a Christian, better than those who do not go to Church or do not share my Religion-NO.

[sandyRoe]

Maybe the rituals are a way of binding the congregation together?

[tonywiltshire]

I agree sandy.
Mark, it probably makes us feel better, I did say I went for the wrong reasons.

[sandyRoe]

Your reasons don't sound very wrong to me. But there will probably be a crowd of atheists along shortly with different views.

[anneasquith]

well tony, i don^t think your reasons are wrong, it appears you enjoy going to church and embrace the atmosphere and i really dont think anyone need apologise or indeed defend their right to worship when/where they like,

[anneasquith]

hi cheerio :)

[hc4361]

Church going does bind the community. It brings people together and provides a lot of help to locals. My church organises visits to the housebound, an elderly watch, mums and toddlers groups, regular suppers and all sorts of non - religious, social activities.

[cupid04]

I love joining with like-minded people to worship God and sing praises {I am
tone deaf]. The Bible says make ajoyful sound unto the Lord. I like the
prayers also, I like praying for those in need and for myself and my family.
My church has many activities for the community. It has lunch clubs,
friendship clubs, mother and toddler groups, keep fit classes etc.
It also does food parcels for those in need, offers counselling for any
problems you may have.
I love the feeling of unity with one another which ever walk of life you come
from. I hate it if I have to miss a Sunday but I can be assured that I'm still
prayed for in my absence.
I've been a christian for nearly 24 years and I wonder how I ever managed
without God in my life. Without him my life would have no meaning.

[LazyGun]

@Sandy - Once again, on the defensive. If you guys as christians, want to go celebrate in church, then fine - its a free country, you are all adults, and enjoying consensual ritual ;)

Just don't come on here claiming some mystical supernatural power as fact in the absence of evidence, or whining that people exercising their freedom of speech are disrespecting your god or your religion.And stop lecturing and hectoring others with finger -wagging disapproval over other peoples life choices, and labelling blasphemy or immoral.

Then we can all get along fine ;)

[boxtops]

On this thread, lazygun, nobody's doing that - this is not so much about the faith per se, as about the sense of belonging. I understand that. Nobody's proselytising.

[Ann]

Hi Cupid - I totally agree with everything you said :)

[tonywiltshire]

Thanks for your comments.

[andy-hughes]

I am an aetheist, but I attend Mass every Sunday with my wife.

She is a Catholic, and appreciates the faith aspect, I just enjoy the ritual, and the community spirit.

I know that in terms of living Christian values, I can hold my head a deal higher than some of those within the church hierarchy, but that's simply the way it is - I feel no sense of superiority, or inferiority about their belief systems compared to mine.

I don;t think there is a 'wrong' reason to go to church - there are the established religious reasona, and myriad others, including mine, but the church is nothing if not inclusive, so I am made to feel welcome as a supporter - which I am.