I'm a committed Christian and yet i am scared to go to Church on my own. My family are aetheists and so i don't want to drag them through what would be hell for them, and yet i don't want to be judged by anyone else there. What i really want is to go to Church when its empty...is that a bad thing?
2006-08-24 04:16:28 · 57 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Find a good Christian friend to go with you.
2006-08-24 04:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by day by day 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not a bad thing!! Just go in at an evening service or really early in the morning if you don't feel comfortable dealing with the whole shebang at once. But you have to understand that the whole point of going to church is to enjoy FELLOWSHIP. Meaning with your FELLOWS. Meaning with people!!! So at first it may be a little weird but it's crucial for you to form relationships at church. You don't have to turn into a social climber or anything, just seek out a few people near the back and talk to them a little. You never know what kind of bonds you could form. It's tough that you can't bring anybody from your family... but if you have a friend or a co-worker who goes to a certain church, why not tag along with them? Ask them about their church and how they like it and etc. If you already have a home church, bring one with you!! Good luck.
2006-08-24 04:20:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I am an atheist as well so I can see why your family don't want to go.
Why are you scared of going to church on your own? Presumably christians don't judge other people so I can't see why you are scared of other attendees judging you.
All I can suggest is you do some research and find out what the most easy-going and reasonable sort of church is and go to that. Here in England the Church of England seem to be pretty laid-back about stuff.
2006-08-24 07:31:04 · answer #3 · answered by fieldmouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You do not have to drag them to church. You could visit a number of churches, synagogues, Buddhist meeting, even those mistaken Muslims.
IF you want to be there alone you can try an unprogrammed Quaker meeting where they meet in silence. That is my way. You can find your own path if you try.
If you call and contact someone you can explain your needs. They can talk to you, arrange for someone to visit you while your family is home. Or come to your porch or nearest street corner.
Once you trust them someone will probably be glad to come to your house to give you a ride. Your family will not have to go. Just go about this slowly and carefully.
I would list those evangelicals I would prefer you to avoid. But that would be disrespectful to groups with perfectly good members. I suggest you stay away from evangelicals. They are so certain they are right and the rest of us are wrong.
2006-08-24 04:27:46 · answer #4 · answered by jude2918 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Born-Again-Christian and I can only advise you to find a true Christian friend to confide in. First, let me tell you, as you seem to have had a mixed reply of answers, most of them positive, but you always get the odd negative one. No one has the right to judge you except God. You may find your family supportive, it's not like you're a criminal or into drugs.
There is no such thing as an atheist. As an ex soldier I can confirm, that when you are in a life or death situation, guess who they call on.....? So I wouldn't be afraid to confront any so-called atheist. They worship material things without knowing what they're doing.
Keep reading your Bible, read Christian literature, some good books for you to read are, "The Cross And The Switchblade" by David Wilkerson, "Run Baby Run" by Nicky Cruz, "The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsay. As time goes on God will give you courage to stand up for Him, no matter what confronts you. He is real, His Holy Spirit will guide you. You have to practice yoyur faith to show others it's real and to tell them about Jesus.
The other alternative, if you are still afraid, and I can relate to that also, find a Christian Helpline or Christian Website, their are many to chose from. I often go to church to pray on my own during the week as well as on Sunday when there are plenty of people about. You will grow in Christ, you have done the first main step, and that's you've put your trust in Jesus Christ, pray for guidance and "well done" for sharing this with everyone, it's not easy, even when nobody knows your real identity.
If you want any help and I can be of assisstance just let me know and I shall arrange to e-mail you. Remember, You Are Saved, God will not let you go now, nor will He let you down. You have Eternal Life in Heaven with Him. You don't have to go to Church to be a Christian, but I think we all need spiritual company and Christian friends. So I would suggest eventually going to church and Bible Study groups. I will pray for you, and just let me know if I can help.
2006-08-24 04:49:32 · answer #5 · answered by patch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why would you be judged at a church? If people at a church judge you then you need to seek another church because they aren't living the Christian way of life very well. If anything you will probably meet some very nice people. Or see if there are any youth directed services offered around you and you will meet tons of new friends there and you won't be alone.
2006-08-24 04:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by edgehead4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think religion is all about personal choice and its your right 2 support anyone u want. i dont think u need 2 go 2 church 2 worship your god but if u really want 2 go why not first find a christian group. then ur bound 2 find someone 2 go 2 church with and i doubt that any of them will judge u for having the same beliefs.
2006-08-24 04:27:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am glad you consider yourself a committed Christian. I would be very interested in knowing how you became a Christian with the family background you have. I would be happy to hear from you privately.
The fact that you are asking the question about attending Church seems to indicate the Holy Spirit is encourageing you to meet with other Christians.
Do you have any friends who go to Church and who's life shows a real commitment to Christ? If you do, ask him/her if you could go them. If you do not know any Christians, I would recommend you find a Bible-centered Church and meet with one of the Pastors. Explain your background and ask him for his help.
Please let me know how things work out for you.
YourGuruBuddy
2006-08-24 05:13:51 · answer #8 · answered by YourGuruBuddy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you want to be alone, and with The God. The God is every were though so the building will not help.
Attending a Church is NOT necessary but certainly a GOOD IDEA.
I don't think anyone will condemn because you attend and parents don't.
The URL below might help you find a good Church>>
Prayer Group Invite!>>
2006-08-24 04:20:42 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not go to church but believe in God, you do not have to go to church to be connected with God, but some people like church and see it as necessary what ever works for you. Christians are not supposed to judge. Keep an open mind to them and hopefully they will do the same to you. You just might make some friends there and then you wouldn't have to go alone.
2006-08-24 04:19:30 · answer #10 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anybody would judge you for going to church on your own. If you feel nervous about it, call the church you are in interested in and talk to people. They may know of a group for new members or some activities that you could get involved in to meet other members.
2006-08-24 04:19:24 · answer #11 · answered by WxEtte 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋