Spinoff to going to Church...

If you dont go to Church (or synogogue, etc) is it because you've

- lost faith in the Church itself?

- lost faith in the beliefs the Church values?

- just find it boring?

I noticed that alot of people wrote that they used to go when they were little and have completed most, if not all, sacraments. So just wondering why you strayed. No judgments at all, to each their own. I just wanted to see what the general concensus was.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

I'm not religious. I respect others beliefs but I personally think a lot of it is crap. To each his own.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

since i was little i've never believed in the history and values of it. i used to argue with my mom over it.


i'm not religious nor spiritual of any kind. it's just not an important part of my life the way it is for other people

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

I've never had any trouble believing in the dogma of the church. I always believed w/o question in the Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Birth, etc.

My problem is with the way the church deals with a lot of secular issues - birth control, same-sex marriage, homosexuality, no women priests...I could go on and on.

I have faith in God, I just don't always have faith in the people that speak for Him.

I want to go back, though, because I'm sure I can still get something out of going to church every week, and I'd love for my kids (when I have them) to believe in something like I do.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

Personally i find no need for it in my life. I just live my life the best i can. I believe in the acceptance of others and in tolerance. I do not fully believe that the church shares these values.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

We did go for a while. Neither DW or I are religious, but it's good to learn how most of society thinks. Plus, a lot of her family goes there. After DD was born, it was just too much work bringing two DC every Sunday. Also, Sunday is the only day I get to sleep a little (Saturday morning is DS's karate, which I bring him to).

Plus, there's too much politics going on right now. It's not worth the aggravation. It's 30 minutes away, so it's a long drive.

So, there are several reasons.... hence the reason I voted "other"... Pretty much all the choices apply. Need an "all of the above" option....

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

it just isnt a part of my life anymore and neither is it a part of my friends and family so I guess its just my surroundings.. when i was a kid i went to catholic school from 1st - 12th grade so it was always around me ...

Message edited 10/12/2007 8:08:17 AM.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

I don't believe or feel that I must go to church in order to be a good practicing Catholic. My DH & I both live our lives the best we can & try to be good Catholics & pray at home.

Also, after being married in a Catholic church, I got a little turned off with the entire "donation" thing. No matter what sacrament you have at a church, it requires a donation but it is a "specific" dollar amount. I honestly don't feel that someone should tell me what i MUST give. I started to realize more & more, the church is more of a business & I don't find that acceptable.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

My parents stopped going to temple because it became a financial burden and the temple was not willing to make accommodations despite having had over 30 years of membership and two children that became B'nai Mitzvot.

As far as why WE don't go as a married couple...the reason we do not affiliate with a temple right now is because we rent a home and do not wish to establish social ties and make a large financial commitment to a place that we will not be permanently. We will buy a home where there is a Conservative temple of our liking within a short distance and will more than likely become members either when our child starts nursery or Hebrew school depending on our financial situation.

For us, it is not a question of not believeing. However we are not "religious"- rather observant. We take what we want and can from our religion - what works for us. Keep in mind that for a lot of Jewish families - especially secular Jews whose ancestry is Eastern European and Russia- our religion IS our culture and being a member of a temple can be more social than religious. My family has no ties to Poland, Romania and Russia (where my grandparents are from), but being Jewish is important.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...

I was raised catholic.. did the whole communion/confirmation/etc. Then sometime in my early 20s realized I had NOTHING in common with the catholic church.

Im pro-choice, pro-gay-marriage, pro-sex-for-fun, etc.

Message edited 10/12/2007 9:58:35 AM.

Re: Spinoff to going to Church...