Do parishiners frown on atheists faking their faith if they saw them in church or are all welcomed?

Answer 1

When it comes to religious faith, EVERYBODY is faking. They have hope, not faith. How can it be otherwise? Nobody knows anything about God or heaven.

The supernatural – including God, heaven, hell, Satan and tooth fairies – is an invention of the human imagination. The following is for those who believe in the supernatural or indulge other fantasies in preference to reality.

Faith and logic are antithetical. If religious adherents would admit that they believe for PERSONAL, rather than logical, reasons, THEN they would be honest about their "faith". But it’s dishonest to claim one's faith is logical – faith is a personal position, not a logical conclusion.

Faith and doubt always go hand in hand. Faith without doubt is BLIND faith. It takes a closed mind to sublimate doubt to the point of blind faith. Normal people leaven their faith with a little common sense. Doubt always nibbles at the edges of their faith. After all, without doubt, faith would have no context, no purpose, no meaning, no point. Would it?

Because there is no evidence for anything supernatural (including God), NOBODY can claim ANY knowledge of it. Anybody who does is lying or delusional. It takes suspension of disbelief to believe in the supernatural: one must convince oneself that the impossible is possible. This is the opposite of curiosity. You have one life, one quest: yet you choose to surrender it to something you can’t possibly know anything about.

When people talk about faith, they're usually talking about the supernatural: God, angels, miracles, etc. There is, of course, lots of doubt involved because the supernatural is entirely outside the human (natural) realm. It's not so much that God or angels can't exist . . . the real point is that NOBODY has access to the supernatural and thus NOBODY knows ANYTHING about it. Anybody who claims to have faith in something he knows absolutely nothing about is actually confessing to placing his imagination before, and above, his intellect.

Imagination has its place . . . but not where life decisions are involved. Placing imagination above intellect is surrendering your quest for meaning. You are surrendering the meaning of your life to your religion; to your version of God.

And that's fine. Just be honest about it. You made a leap of faith. Your faith is a personal position – not a valid logical conclusion.

Answer 2

I would be disappointed in any parishioner that would come down on anyone with such a terrible judgment. No one knows what is in another persons heart or on their mind. If someone is an Atheist and comes to church, perhaps they are just curious or are willing to listen to another point of view. All are welcomed into the house of God, no matter where their faith lies!

Answer 3

I think that people would rather a visiting atheist was honest than "faking their faith". All are welcome in my church too. In fact, welcomed so enthusiastically that it can be a little off-putting for shy visitors! (I am trying to get our church secretary to tone it down a bit! lol)

We ask visitors to be respectful of our traditions in the same way as we would respect theirs if we visited them at home or in their own place of worship (if from a different religion).

Bubbles makes a good point though... I hadn't thought of it like that before!

Answer 4

I don't believe in God but I attended Mass regularly about 2 years ago following some life altering events simply because I wanted to look at the world from a more forgiving and philosphical perspective. During that time the priest did an Easter homily in which he thanked parishoners for being there, regardless of why they were there, who they were, their lifestyle or belief system. If you get something out of Mass does it really matter if Jesus was the Son of God. I really don't think so.

Answer 5

All are welcome that are serious about developing a relationship with God. It's about worship and if someone is there to mock everyone there...then why should they be welcome. They should find their thrills somewhere else and not be so cruel as to openly slap the members of the church with their sarcasm.

Why would they go outside of being facitious and trying to mock the faith of those there?

What would an athiest think goes on in church outside of worship of God?

You are trying to insinuate that they wouldn't be good christians if they wouldn't welcome anyone...but that's ridiculous. Too many know too little of Christianity to understand that we don't have to welcome those that mock us or try to decieve us. Christ says to separate yourself from those that would have you doubt your faith. To allow someone like that to attend services week after week would be church suicide. It doesn't make any logical sense.

Answer 6

No one comes to church if not prompted by the Spirit of God. It is what you do in church (and in your life) that God sees. You never know, a real conversion may happen out of fake prayers. The obligation of every believer is to pray for conversion, love all people as He loved us and and to live the Life.

Research Pascal's Wager.

johnny

Answer 7

Actually, if I saw someone at my church that I was 100% certain was an Atheist, I would make it a point to say hello to them and probably even take them out to lunch afterwards.

Answer 8

I am required to go to Mass at least once a month by my Catholic school (don't ask why I am attending a Catholic school; it's complicated), and nobody cares. Of course, I doubt that anyone is aware that I am an atheist there. I don't think they would care at all, so long as you keep the cash coming.

Fact of the Day: Diocese are actually considered businesses.

Answer 9

I was an athiest and attended an Episcopal Church for years. They knew I was an athiest and still welcomed me for the true reasons I attended, association wit good people, primal need of ritual ceremonies, and though not a believer, still looking for something to believe in. I was jokingly called a Heathen, but they liked me and saw me genuine. I liked them and felt welcome.

Answer 10

I can only speak for my parish...But all are welcomed. I don't check I.D. at the door

But - if someone presents themselves for Holy Communion and looks like they are lost...I will ask them if they are Baptized. The Sacraments are meant only for the Body of Christ and that means they need to be at least Baptized.