What should & shouldn't a non-believer do in Church? Can some prayers only be said by Christians who believe?

Question

I lost faith in Christianity 8 years ago and am now an atheist, but sometimes my dad wants me to go to church with him.

There are certain things I'm not comfortable doing, because it feels like lying. For example, I think it's wrong to recite the Nicine Creed if I don't believe it, and I think taking communion means I'm making some kind of promise or pledge that I don't want to make.

Last service, they said that the BAPTISED may to take communion, while the UNBAPTISED may come and accept a blessing instead. Does that mean it's fine for an atheist to come up and accept a blessing during communion?

What does it mean when you take communion or a blessing?

What does it mean when you recite the Nicine Creed or the Lord's Prayer?

What does it mean when you say "Amen" in response to something?

What prayers in a normal Church service shouldn't a person say if they don't really mean it? For example, I really think it's a bad lie if I recite the Nicine Creed, but fine to sing most hymns.

Sorry to ask this twice, I messed up during the Editing process. I deleted the third one right away, but the second one slipped by and now it has answers.

Episcopalian.

And my dad knows I've lost faith, but last time I didn't go up and I think that it really hurts him that his daughter won't even get blessed. It's really cold to just stay alone in the pew during communion, it's my dad I care about but also I really dont want to recite things that should only be said by people who are sincere.

Thank you all very much for your answers. I will take each into consideration, but I feel like I should not be the one to decide which is best. I'm putting this question to vote.

Answer 1

Accepting communion, participating in prayers and responding with "amen" denotes agreement, endorsement, belief.

To participate implies agreement, acceptance, affirmation.

If you don't feel comfortable going through the motions as a lie for the sake of your father, tell him the truth and don't do it. Tell him you'd be doing him and his faith a disservice by participating when your heart isn't in it.

Answer 2

If you're an atheist, I'd think saying just about any prayer would make you uncomfortable. However, if you wish, go be blessed. The hymns are usually hymns of praise to God, but again that's your call. Just do what you feel comfortable doing.

When I recite the Nicene Creed I am reaffirming what I believe. With the Lord's Prayer, I am asking for guidance and deliverance. The actual word Amen means so be it. With Communion, I am doing what Christ asked us to do in remembrance of Him.

Answer 3

I don't believe...but. I did go to church for my girlfriends fathers funeral.. but it didn't cause me any uncomfortable feeling... I have friends that are "hard core - born again" and they pray at dinner and stuff... I usally will be the one getting the stuff to the table and tell them to go ahead an pray without me cause they know I don't believe... some times when im sitting they hold hands and bow their heads and pray so I hold their hands with them but I never put my head down to pray and they know it.

You my friend have some unresolved issues with yourself, you can't blame religion for making you uncomfortable...

YOU are your own god, believe in yourself and you will be as powerfull as you see fit.

On the communion thing...don't take it... pass it to the next person... when they get down on their knees and do the prayer thing sit there and play a gameboy or something, bring an ipod or something...
sheeesshhh I can't really believe you can ask these questions.... "I have some nice beach front property in Nevada if you wanna buy into right now.... its going real cheap cause im waiting for california to get flooded from the next big one..."

you can use this as an analogy to the waiting for the christ...

And if you still have questions.... go talk to one of your local "evangelicals " they'll hook you up in a heartbeat... you'll be thumping a bible in no time.....

Answer 4

I may be wrong but whether your dad wanted you to go to church or not, if you didn't want to go you really wouldn't. If you are a true atheist, what difference does it make. Since the Word of God says that without faith it is impossible to please God,I feel that some prayers only believers can ask God and get a response. I didin't think that true atheist did anything pertaining to the Church. I went thru a phase(upon entering adulthood) where I didn't deny God, I just didn't go to church. I didn't want to go and I didn't go. Of course when I lived at home with my parents, out of respect for them, I went. But as soon as I got my own place, I didn't stop going all together, but I rarely went. That was the beginning of the separation for me. Things started to happening to me and my life was in a downward spiral until I returned to Jesus. This may not apply to you. I just thought I'd share. May God Bless You.

Answer 5

well first off, they are not classified as believers and non believers, everyone believes to an extent, the "non belivers" still say prayers, maybe not as often as firm believers, but they still do, am i right? and for the whole bit about getting communion or a blessing, i see that as a bit of human ego/righteousness, an attempt to claim to be closer to God than others, just because they wern't baptized. well In God's eyes everyone who goes to his house should be able to recieve communion and a blessing, after all the human race could use a blessing now and again...

Answer 6

would you go to a klan rally if your dad wanted you to go?
would you go to a gay movie if you felt uncomfortable?
how about a hindu service? the reason i am asking you these questions is becouse if you dont agree with these things why be a part of them unless it's for pure entertainment. you have to do what you feel is the right thing to do no matter what people tell you you should do.
i know you want to respect your dad and you should, but i think that anyone whith a rational mind would understand your reasons for not doing somthing you dont feel is right. religion is based on your guilt and fear, dont be a slave . this is said in kindness not animosity.

Answer 7

If you feel you need to accomodate the wishes of your father, yet you're not sure what you really believe, simply decide to accept whatever goes on in church "conditionally" and "pending further verification" and make a mental reservation to that effect.

Then, just go with flow, and don't worry about it.

The God I know has a way of getting through to people when he decides it's time to do so.

He knocked St. Paul off his horse, and temporarily blinded him, in order to get his attention.

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

Answer 8

same boat i'm in. I go to make the parents happy , and years ago i used to go so as to not raise a fuss and injfluence my younger brother... i'd preferred that he come to his own religious conclusions... I don't pray, but if everyones going up to eat some body of christ or whatever, i go along.. after all i don't believe... i will not be sptten for it... yes i am lying and it against my personal moral code.. but hey, it makes my parents happy... I had a brother who died and their relief was that they still thought he believed when it happened... god forbid (pun) I would like them to have the same hope for me, after all it is very important to them, and that is FAR more important to me than loudly declaring that I don't believe. If they had a problem with it, I'd stop.. but most Christians want to include you, not exclude...

That said, if you really have a problem, I had an ex who when forced to go would always "go commando" i guess it was her own little rebellion... she had a laugh about it...

and all of it means little if you don't believe it in the first place, they are sacriments and rituals with deep symbolic meaning to faithful believers... but it does not matter to you one way or another how you respond to them. (another hint, make up languages for carols... it helps pass the time... or start practicing drawing, that's where i learned..)

no one will look twice if you respectfully stand/sit/kneel and don't say/sing along.

Answer 9

Amen means "yes"

If you are going to church to make your Dad happy, then so be it. If you enjoy being an atheist, then you'll not be afflicated by the rituals of a religion. The reason you question this is because deep down you know the choice of atheism is not a logical one.

Answer 10

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