Is it alright for agnostic people to go to church?

Question

I'm agnostic but I cant tell my parents since they are christians and take religion very seriously. But they don't go to church...well until recently anyway. They're going to start going back and they are trying to make me go with them. I don't want to have to tell them because I'm afraid of their reactions...all of you with major christian parents know what I'm talking about right? Anyway, but I don't think it's right for me to go...being in a christian place with me being agnostic...it just doesn't feel right ya know? So is it alright? Or is it wrong? What should I do??

Answer 1

Hell yeah! All are welcome. Just don't drink communion because you bring judgement on yourself. Quite a few atheist spouses attend my church and it's a social event to them. It's fine.

Answer 2

A lot depends on your age, of course, but i'd let my parents know how I feel. If they're just recently getting active, again, shouldn't mean that you should be dragged along. But being agnostic means you really don't have a belief or opinion on the subject, so there's nothing wrong with checking their church out. You may get sucked in. (not necessarily a bad thing) But if you really don't want to go, tell your parents you're going to let the good folks there know that you're an atheist. That would be too embarracing for your parents to handle.

Answer 3

The people at the church want agnostics and atheists to come so that they can try and teach them the truth about Jesus. While it may be difficult for you to go because you are hiding something from your parents that's just how you feel and it doesn't make it wrong to go. Why don't you just be honest with your parents and tell them that you are not sure about God but you would like to know the truth? Then you won't have any nagging sense of guilt or feel like you are deceiving your parents or being a hypocrite.

Believe it or not your parents were young people who struggled with knowing what to believe too. They were not raised in a vacuum and I'm sure that they would appreciate it if you told them that you just don't know what to believe for sure.

Answer 4

In my opinion, even those who are agnostic or atheist can find one nice thing about church. I, personally, love the music. Do you like getting dressed nicely? Shaking hands with all of the other people in the congregation? The beautiful stained-glass windows? The resonance of the preacher's voice? The family breakfast after church? As an agnostic, your going to church isn't going to do any damage to anyone. If you don't want to tell your parents what you feel, then focus on the one aspect of church that you do appreciate, and let yourself be happy about that, instead of annoyed at the things you don't like.

Answer 5

I think it's a sign of a healthy church when it does include agnostics in its congregation because it means that people who are still struggling with the faith are comfortable in that environment and feel that there is a place for them. In many ways it is better to be an agnostic who is seeking than a nominal Christian who does not realise that he is in the position of the Church of Laodicea Revelation 4:17): "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked". There is a place for you and a welcome for you in God's house. Go along with your parents. It will mean so much for them. But do not be pushed into making any personal commitment such as baptism or confirmation until the Christian faith becomes real to you. God promises that those who seek Him will find Him. Let that be your goal and may God bless you in your search.

Answer 6

If you are 8, you have to go with them. You have to eat your vegetables, too, even though you don't like lima beans.

If you are 28, try a Unitarian Universalist church. They welcome agnostics. Lie to your parents; tell them you like the minister, or the choir, or the people, or that it is closer to your apartment. Don't tell them it isn't Christian until they get used to seeing you go every week or two.

If you are older than 8, younger than 28 and still living at home, just go. The roof won't fall in on you, and you can still enjoy the music. Use the sermon to plan your week or think about other things. That is what I did.

Answer 7

First of all, there is no problem with going to church if you don't share their beliefs. It's a public gathering of people, not an exclusive club... what are they going to do, arrest you for not sharing their philosophy on life? Second of all, consider whether it is more loving of you to just go with your parents and suck it up, or to make a stink about your own beliefs. Maybe it's just not worth the cost. Besides, you never know, just because you don't share their beliefs doesn't mean you can't find something positive in going there. Even if it's just a community. I also wanted to ask... are you agnostic (meaning the truth behind religious claims is unknown or unknowable) or atheist (meaning you do not believe in God)? Not that it makes much difference, just curious.

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with you being there. Even if you don't believe, any decent chrurch will welcome you with open arms.

Being Agnostic doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have any understanding of Christianity, just like being a Christian doesn't mean you can't understand more agout Agnosticism.

I, personaly, recomend going and listening very carefuly. Remember, most of the people listening aren't listening carefuly. They're hearing the words and waiting for the preacher man to put it in terms they can understand. Listen to the words and understand them on your own. In a society where 80% is Christian, a strong understanding of Christianity can be very helpful, especialy for those of us who are part of the other 20% who seem often to be expected to justify their beliefs.

Answer 9

I don't think it really matters because if you are truly agnostic, you don't know if there truly is a higher being such as G-d. You should go if you want to go.

Also, if you don't feel comfortable there, but want to make you parents happy, my best suggestion would be just to go. I'm Jewish, yet I go to my cousin's church often because they ask me to go. Just because it's a church and not a temple doesn't make me believe in Christianity.

Answer 10

It is really hard to say yes or no.
Following is just some opinions for your reference.
God is omnipresent. When you have good intention, He sees it; when you have bad feelings, He beholds it. So, the matter is not the place, but the intention.
Now, you don't realize the omnipresence of God, but your parents do. They go to church with the intention to show thankfulness to God, to show love to their coreligionists, to enjoy the atmosphere of collective spirituality; then their going is really good. But, what is the use of your going with a confusing mind. Perhaps, you should frankly and politely reveal the fact to your parents, in order that they can give you fruitful explanation, nourish your sincere feelings and give you more freedom for thinking and learning.
Faith develops by love, not by coercion.

Answer 11

Absolutely. The church is a house of prayer to all people.
Jesus Himself said, I have come to seek and save that which was lost. And He also said that the righteous do not need HIm, it is the sick who needs the doctor.

His invitation is not to the righteous or to the good people, but the poor, the heavey laden with sin, and those who are burdened.

He said though your sins be as scarlet it will be turned as white as snow.

It is very interesting that the word "REST" in the Chinese Character is "xiu" 休. It is a drawing of a "man" [ren] and a "tree"
[mu] 木 The "tree" 木, is a cross with a "man" hanging on it.
Jesus said "I am the vine", whichs to the Chinese a vine is just as any other tree, it has got a trunk, branches and root. So Jesus is a "tree" or He was the man hanging on that "tree" or "cross", to give us "REST" from our heavy labor , or life of sin.
God bless you and your parents.