to church to eat dinner with their grandparents every wednesday evening. The girls attend the church regularly with their grandparents, I go when they ask me to, or when there is some kind of pageant or something. Its a potluck dinner, so I always make something to bring, and give a free will donation at the start of the meal. After dinner they do a contemporary service, I do not stay for this service, we live around the corner so the girls stay with their grandma and walk home afterwards. Do you think it is rude that I eat with the church and then do not stay for the service, as it goes against my beliefs. Would it be more rude if I ate, didn't donate and also didn;t stay for the service?
2006-08-03 07:58:47 · 23 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not rude at all. It sounds like you are doing it, to give the children time with their grandparents. That is a good thing. It would be more rude to go and pretend to care about the service portion. By not going to the preaching part, you are showing respect.
2006-08-03 08:03:22 · answer #1 · answered by Arcturus R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No hun, you're doing the right thing.. Not only do you participate in the potluck, but at the same time your donating to a church that's beliefs you don't even follow... I doubt any one considers you being rude because you didn't stay for the service, other people probably just figured that you have things to do... Not only that but you said you mother stays with your kids so what's the big deal?? If anything I think you're a good person for doing what you do w/ this church even though you don't follow their beliefs.. Rock on girlfriend!!
2006-08-03 15:07:50 · answer #2 · answered by amygirl9333 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I wouldn't donate, because I wouldn't want to support them. But regardless, I don't think it's rude. It's a potluck dinner, not a church service. The intention of the dinner is to socialize, nothing more. In which case, I doubt anyone cares who shows up, as long as they're not disruptive.
Edit - Blizgamer- I'd just like to say... you know nothing about atheism. It's not about being hurt. It's about being educated. I get so tired of Christians blathering on about something they have no comprehension of. Before you claim to know why someone is an atheist, ask an atheist, not a preacher. You really do show your ignorance with your statements.
2006-08-03 15:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not wrong at all. You are doing the right thing. Obviously their grandparents are religious and you're not. Instead of raising your child to agree with your beliefs, you are letting them experience this on their own and allowing them to bond with their grandparents.
I respect you a great deal for allowing your children to go to church. Although you don't stay for the service, you do alot more then any other atheist would! You're doing it for your children and you're not bad mouthing what their grandparents believe in. You are compromising for the sake of your kids and that's what mothers do!
2006-08-03 15:06:55 · answer #4 · answered by s_sill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you take your kids if you don't believe in God? Woudn't you want your kids to have the same beliefs you do? Why do you leave the service? Why do you donate? Is there a God?
I think you know the answers to these questions deep inside your heart. You have been hurt by someone or something and that is preventing you from coming to God. You do not want to deal with the isssues because it can cause you great pain. But you are already experiencing pain right now. I challenge you to go to church and talk to someone there about your feelings. I challenge you to pray to God and ask him that if he is real, and he is good, and if he cares like Christians say he does, that he would 1. reveal himself to you, 2. heal you from your pain, 3. heal your family and your relationships. If you do this, you will see great things in your life. I will pray for you, that you would have strength to do this. God Bless.
2006-08-03 15:09:27 · answer #5 · answered by blizgamer333 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're doing fine. You're participating in your family's social structure, and not preventing your kids from doing as they see fit, but still staying true to your own beliefs. I think it's the perfect compromise. You bring stuff to the potluck, so it's not like you're mooching. The kids get to stay for the sermon and to hang with Grandma, but you don't have to listen to stuff you don't want to. Sounds great!! I wish more people were as chill about quality time and religion with their families.
2006-08-03 15:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by Woz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my perspective absolutely not... no respectable church would turn you away because you didn't donate or stay for the service... Don't feel obligated... the church shouldn't make you feel guilty... if they do then they aren't practicing true Christianity
2006-08-03 15:04:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not rude to eat and then leave. You are contributing to the meal with food and support. Plus, you are there for the fellowship and to support your children. While I realize that you do not believe in God, one of His strongest teachings deals with people who live falsehoods. You are probably being the most honest person in the church. Peace.
2006-08-03 15:04:02 · answer #8 · answered by Chainsawmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a pot luck dinner you don't have to give.. You sound like a pretty nice guy.. Just do what you think it right I am sure you would never do anything to disrupt. That is the only thing I can think of that would be out of order.
2006-08-03 15:05:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be worse for your girls if they never saw you go to church at all. As for it being rude, if the people at church thought it was rude, you would probably know it by now. If their grandparents haven't said anything to you about it being rude, I wouldn't worry about it.
2006-08-03 15:04:01 · answer #10 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋