Do you go to church?

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No, I'm an atheist.

I haven't been to church since I was a kid. I didn't know people went there to socialize.
My family just went every Sunday to observe mass because I think it was a sin not to go.
The only thing I liked were the statues and the pictures on the wall depicting holy scenes.
On the way home we usually stopped to get donuts.

I go a few times a year, candle lit midnight mass on Christmas eve, and a couple of anniversary masses.

I went to Sunday School when I was younger. This was possibly before I got diagnosed with Autism. It was actually quite fun for me too. As I got older, my parents stopped doing all church activities. Thing is, I can't sit still in service at church. I'd have to fidget around and be forced to get up to move about. D:

I started attending a Lutheran church a few months ago. I usually attend the Sunday morning contemporary services, with more upbeat music and interesting sermons. My fiancé's father actually plays bass for the band there.

Yes, I attend church but that's not surprising since religion is one of my special interests. I find it to be peaceful and comforting. I like the art and architecture, enjoy the semi-darkness and the smell of the incense. Social aspects, not so much.

I stopped going to church when I was in my late-thirties (I'm 53). The only reason I can think of, is that when I moved here, I just never got around to finding a congregation. I've always loved church----I've sung in the choir, taught Sunday School, been an acolyte, done the collection plate distribution----just about everything, really. I'm still very spiritual, though, and study the Bible, sometimes.

Yes weekly, except on Christmas and Easter. Its too crowded for me on those days, and you get all the people who don't know when to sit, stand, or kneel (the Cheasters). I know that will rub a lot of people the wrong way, but hey, I'm an Aspie, I just told you the truth.

Ever since we had kids, I don't attend the Holy Days of Obligation, and usually only get to one of the days of the Triduum. My wife does like the Veneration of the Cross, thinks its gross everybody kissing it.

I also wanted to add something, but I can't edit my post.

To be honest, I have no religion right now. I believe in god and all... but my views are different than normal. I choose not to have a religion because I just think religion is a bunch of nonsense (No offense to those who believe in it though).

Do you go to church?

I was raised in the Lutheran church and found it puzzling. I started to read the Bible when I was 30 and was intrigued by it. I started to visit churches and learn about some useful Bible study tools. However, church still remained a conundrum.

In the 35 years since then I have learned more about Jesus and enough about churches as to avoid them.

In case anyone is following the path I walked, here are some things I found that may be of use.

1. No one can become a Christian unless God draws them.
2. A good indicator of this drawing is a desire for truth.
3. Churches want you to agree with their conclusions and use you in their systems.
4. To grow in truth you need to learn from someone or study yourself in the Bible. Here is a great free tool for doing that http://www.e-sword.net/

If I can be of help to anyone, feel free to PM me.

Yes.

No, I've been an atheist since I was around 14 or 15(I'm 21 now). I haven't been to church, except for the occasional funeral or wedding, since I was 12.

Nope.

Good song goldfish, I never heard that one before. I like it.

I'm an atheist who doesn't go to church very often at all. When I do, it's to fit in and to avoid hurting the feelings of those I care about. It goes against my grain but it doesn't happen very often. The singing bit is quite good fun.

I can see the social advantage of being involved with a church, but I think I'd find it uncomfortable because of the obvious difference in religious opinion. I'm not comfortable hearing religious beliefs disseminated as facts, especially the more radical beliefs, especially when expressed aggressively. I always want to say "yes, but....." and I always feel I'd better not.

The city pentecostal church services in the UK that I know anything about have convinced me that I'd best not do those. I don't like the leaders' aggressive delivery, I see a huge "simon says" thing going on, which looks like control, and individuals dancing about claiming they've got the spirit.

Another pentecostal church I looked at was very different in temperament, being much more calm, which really helped, though I noticed this from a bible study group related to them: The leader gave out a nugget of wisdom (that it's a good idea to rest if you're tired), beginning with a few scriptural quotations which didn't really carry the essence of the interpretation, and then those of the flock who commented expressed gratitude and suggested that it must be a divine thing going on. So again, it looked like control (reinforcing the message that the leader is the one to choose and hand out the appropriate guidance to the flock from the cosmic book). It was fascinating, before that I'd never understood what church services and bible classes were for. I wouldn't knock it too much, I think that even if it's irrational and factually wrong, the social cohesion could benefit the group.

I don't rule out a church community as a worthwhile social outlet, but I'd rather be lonely for a while than witness the kind of things I've mentioned. When the flock are just talking among themselves, outside of the services and such, it's often perfectly fine.

I was a Bible & theology major in college, and I do attend church - albeit somewhat irregularly these days. While I'd agree with most everything you said, point #3 is problematic. I realize a lot of churches are plagued with leadership problems (to put it nicely), but what keeps me going back is the fact that the gathering together of the saints is taken for granted, even mandated, by the apostles. Church, in whatever form it might be, is part and parcel of the Christian experience. Trust me: sometimes I wish it wasn't!

Even if you go the house church route, you'll still find people who want to manipulate you and "use you in their systems," even if the system in question is a small group of 8 people meeting in someone's living room. I don't see these human failings as sufficient reason to avoid fellowshipping with other believers generally; you just need to be be smart about the dynamics of human relationships, and not let yourself come under undue influence.