Why do you attend?

I attend church semi regularly. I have had a commitment to the Christian faith all my life and several years ago I was a regular member of the C of E. Since moving a couple of times, I found it difficult to find a church community which felt ‘right’ to me plus I am unhappy with the direction in which the Anglican Church in England is heading. I found my faith community in one of the Free Churches. Simple, unpretentious and sincere. Lovely people too.

I go to church because I am a practising Christian. This weekend is the most important of the year for Christians as it reminds us that Jesus is the son of God and that He made the ultimate sacrifice of dying on the cross for all the sins of the world, the sins that separate us from God, then rising on the third day before ascending to heaven to be with His and our Heavenly Father. He would have made this sacrifice if you or I were the only people in the world. It is the best gift ever and free to anyone who believes in Him. For those of you who are not sure about faith or which church to try, any Christian denomination should welcome you. For those of you who have not been made welcome in churches, may I only apologise on their behalf.

I am an atheist, or at the very least a non-theist, but I do occasionally attend a certain kind of Christian service, the kind of high-Anglican service with lots of bells and smells, fiery handbags, vestments and other liturgical 'tat', because I love the ritual. Also, because those churches tend to have retained their organ in good repair, have a capable choir and sing familiar hymns with rousing tunes (the use of the English Hymnal is always a good sign).

I don’t. I had it rammed down my throat as a child and now happily have no religion and don’t want to find one - as I told the Jehovah’s Witnesses on the doorstep this morning.
I just don’t have blind faith but I do remember envying devout RC friends because, to my mind, it seemed as though there was no personal responsibility as everything was preordained by God. Plus you could go through life being a total b*****d and if you repented in your last breath you’d still be in.
However, I do love churches/mosques etc and their art and music and am fascinated with the comparison between world religions, and, I suppose, the idea than man needed something larger than himself wherever human culture developed in the world.

I go to churches to admire the architecture, to marvel at the work of the stonemasons, stained glass artists, carpenters and to wonder in awe at how this all came together without the sort of technology we have today. To me, a church is just a wondrous building which is eminently suitable for events which a large number of people can attend. Religion is something separate - and I (personally) just don't "get" the whole praying and listening to sermons thing (so boring!). I do have faith though - in myself - to be the best person I can be and to accept that some people feel a need to attend church services and some don't - whatever floats your boat - I have friends who do and friends who don't - who am I to judge?. I just wish that some religious people would accept my feelings and stop trying to convert me to theirs!

When i was aged 5-16 I went to church twice every Sunday. I've now started reading the Bible again (I'm 72, now disabled, 3 children, always worked) I'm reading the New Testament and am surprised and pleased by how relevant (and 'modern') it is. I'm glad I've got my faith back.

I attend church regularly so that I may partake of the sacrament and renew my promise I made at baptism to follow Jesus Christ. I also know that because I am not a perfect person and I make mistakes, church attendance reminds me of how I can continue to change and be a better person. I also find strength in being with others who feel the same as I do; I love that we can worship together and support each other on our life journey.

I had religion, church and Sunday school rammed down my throat as a child, and I was always the one questioning things, not taking people's word on blind faith.
My favourite was akin to the chicken and the egg.... 'if god made the earth, then who or what made god?' No-one has ever given me a satisfactory answer, only saying 'nothing, god is just god, and there is no reason to question that'.

Then, at about 13, just after I'd been forced into being confirmed, and we were learning about Darwin (at my normal school).
Ping 💥 it all made sense to me💡
Evolution is 'evidence-based' and sits much better within my logical mind, so I then refused to continue with church and Sunday school, would question the JW's that regularly came knocking our door (they eventually blacklisted our house) and can happily say that I've never set foot in a church since, and never will again.

I grew up with non church going parents and a mixed catholic/Protestant family. Later on, with problems, I felt the pull of Catholicism with all its faults, so that is my choice to attend mass (not regularly…)
I’m not looking for perfection, it’s all a mystery but a faith can be sustaining and a body of souls a comfort, like a family, particularly if you are alone. I often just light a candle and sit in an empty church for a while in silence and feel better for it.

Religion, not faith has been the cause of many troubles and so understandable that many refute it.
Hatch, match and dispatch is enough for many.

Well in a way, yes, I see what you mean. But many such 'cultural' Christians have no faith and don't believe- so there is a big difference.

I don't like cheating and not respecting.

We are all cultural Christians in the sense that this country's customs, laws, education system, calendar, even the health service, are based in that tradition.
For myself, I no longer have any religion, but love going into our local ancient cathedral for the richness of the architecture, art and history. The Gothic cathedrals of Europe are truly among the wonders of humanity.

Atheist here …so don’t go church or need any gods…. We used to worship lots of gods …Catholics still do ( in disguise of saints) but luckily we’re down to just one …I dont think I’ll see the end of it in my life…but I can pray!🤪

I love the language of the old Prayer Book. I love the liturgy and know the prayers and responses off by heart. Then there is the music. I went to St Giles in the Field in the Charing Cross area and I found comfort in regulat attendance. I attended an Anglican school close to the wondrous Liverpool Cathedral and going there regularly became a part of later life. Now I have no church to attend but I listen to services on the radio and I have my Prayer Book and Hymns Ancient and Modern.

Travelsafar - try a few and pick flavour you like. It can change over time, I've friends who go to different 'sects' and from time to time come to CofE and we have the churchyard 'weeders' in common.

Can't remember..... (Sorry about the typo in previous post)!

Any remember the last time I attended a church service. However, a few weeks ago - as a tourist - I visited the Coptic church in Cairo, believed to be where Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus when fleeing from Herod.

I don’t go to church apart from carol services and Midnight Mass at the local Cathedral. I love atmosphere of churches and the graveyards. The history is wonderful. Different religions and their building fascinate and I like to visit. I do admire people who believe but it’s just not me.

Yes, same. But I do find it very uncomfortable, otu of respect for friends who have real faith, and for the Vicars, Priests, involved, when I know it is just for show and for the videos and photos, for people who are 'cultural' Christians with no faith, and said so clearly themselves.

I didn't go to Church for our own wedding, didn't have children Christened, etc, for that reason.

I usually only go to look round.I love stained glass and the memorial stones you find in old churches. In Greece I'm fascinated by the icons usually decorated with generations and generations of offerings of silver and gold.
But I do love a carol service.

I go for weddings, christenings and funerals. I’m an atheist but happy to respect the faith of others and celebrate with them.

I go to church to worship God with others, for the music - both organ and band with both old hymns and new, to be with friends and family. I worship in a Methodist Church where we have a minister preach some weeks and local preachers other weeks and it is good to listen to sermons from different people with different approaches to a particular theological point.

Because I need help to face the challenges of life. I am aware that religion is the cause of many problems, but does a lot of good too. We have a new minister and I'm getting the impression he thinks religion is for 'good' people, while I think it is for those who know we are all weak and imperfect and need all the help (illusory or not) we can get.

mumofmadboys

I agree with what Cabbie has said. Church has been part of my life for many years. I go to worship God, pray, sing and to hopefully learn and be inspired by the sermon. I enjoy friendships with others .It usually helps me to keep my inner peace /strength.

That sums it up perfectly for me.
I missed it so much when I was ill. I am fortunate to have a Parish Priest who cares for the sick and visited me a number of times.

I used to go to church but I feel that there are now so many different faiths which affect daily life. As a result I don't go any more but I do accept that some people need to have faith and feel better for going to a place of worship. I too enjoy the peace within a church if I'm visiting somewhere but being outside in the sunshine is just as good for me

i go mainly for social contact,ive a lifelong interest in theology,the odd 'glimpse' of something greater ,its a nice building to look at,ritual ,etc etc