Church

[justindw199]

Hello everyone, long time since I've posted on here. Mainly because my life really straightened out.

I met this girl and we have been dating since Christmas last year. We are literally perfect for each other. The only problem is her parents. They are incredibly protective of her, and don't want me dating her until they can trust me, or until she is 18. So we have been having our relationship in secret, and to them I've just been her best friend. When we started dating it was no secret and I got a phone call from her mother, telling me to not be romantic with her and just be friendly for the time being.

Sorry for the backstory, but it was necessary. Anyways, if you have seen my other posts and know that I was raised an atheist. Although so many things have happened in my life that have changed my beliefs. Presently, I don't know what to believe. My girlfriend is the exact opposite. Her family is very religious, and she has been pushed away from religion. She doesn't know what to believe either.

It came up over dinner one night with her family that I don't go to church, although I never mentioned that I was raised an atheist. My girlfriend knows that, but her family doesn't. Her father told me I could go to church with them if I wanted, and I told him I'd appreciate it.

I guess what I'm asking is should I go? I've always wanted to explore religion just to try and find my beliefs, and I know that if I do go it will be a really good way to earn her parents trust. But I'm so nervous I'll make a bad impression on her parents if I don't do it right and I will lose her altogether. I don't know the first thing about going to church, or what it all involves. I really need some advice right now.

(Admins, feel free to move this post, I couldn't find a good place for it, and this was the best I could think of)

[Vilnius]

Just do whatever you feel is right. If you want to go to church with them, go for it! And from my experience, church isn't much more than sitting down and listening to a sermon for about an hour.

[Tesserax]

Go if you want, but if you do I have a couple of tips.

Be nice, accept people's love and faith for God but don't question their belief or say anything that can be interpreted incorrectly. Just laugh along and say yeah a lot, saying less is the best way to not say something wrong.

Join in the prayer and song! It can be fun, and the solemnity can be soul-touching and mentally healing. Be honest with yourself in church, and if you are given a period of silence then take it with the utmost gratitude and maybe even try to pray for something, preferably not too selfish.

I'm not a church goer myself, but I have in the past.

If you need help to guide your own beliefs, I have my own and you may adopt it, as it is quite a flexible belief.

Religion is simply a belief, nothing more. Atheists believe there is no god, Christians believe that there is one God, and it all comes to X believes in this/these X God(s). Ultimately, nobody can be proved correct; it's like Schroedinger's cat. The existence of God(s) or a being(s) outside our universe, or in another dimension or wherever you believe it to be, is simply the cat inside the box, except it is rather a question of "Is there a cat, and if there is, what kind of cat?". Until we are able to look inside the box, nobody can prove for certain either way, and as far as we are all concerned all and every belief is equally correct and equally incorrect. And that is why it is called "faith". You have faith that you happen to be correct, you believe that you are correct in your assumption, and that's all.

I am personally a Christian, though I call myself protestant, I'm actually sort of my own type of Christian. I believe in God, and I believe in the New Testament (not so much revelations), and the majority of the bible I take with a grain of salt. As I am also a man of science, I believe that, and have theorized, many of the events in the bible can be explained scientifically. But to the main point, I choose to be Christian not just because I believe in God, but because I want to, and also because I think the words of Jesus Christ are some of the most benevolent words to exist. Ultimately, he preaches good, to "be kind to your neighbour", and that is what I live by, though I will not hesitate to retaliate if anybody tries to harm me or loved ones.

Again, take into mind the fact that religion is just a belief, and even atheism is a religion. What you believe is up to you, and you can easily change your mind, just as you may think that the cat was dead, but then choose to think maybe it is rather alive.

Good luck, I hope all goes well

[ska8er]

I would accept the invitation and go to church
with her and her parents since u stated that u
wanted to explore other religious beliefs. I would
think that this way u can c how an organized
religion is and also get extra credits towards
getting in good with her parents.

I would not at this time come right out and
tell her parents that u r being raised an atheist
unless ur beliefs r that strong but I think u should
just go slow. Let them get to know u better.

Just do whatever you feel is right. If you want to go to church with them, go for it! And from my experience, church isn't much more than sitting down and listening to a sermon for about an hour.

Just an hour? Does ur mind wander-like mine? :yes:

Double post merged ~ ImCoolBeans

[Vilnius]

Just an hour? Does ur mind wander-like mine? :yes:


I don't actually go anymore, but oh yes, it certainly did!

[Microcosm]

There's no reason not to go. You sound like kind of agnostic sort of guy. It can't hurt and no one can force you to start believing or anything.

[ethan-s]

yes. definitely go with them. it will make the parents feel way better about you.

[Body odah Man]

Hello everyone, long time since I've posted on here. Mainly because my life really straightened out.

I met this girl and we have been dating since Christmas last year. We are literally perfect for each other. The only problem is her parents. They are incredibly protective of her, and don't want me dating her until they can trust me, or until she is 18. So we have been having our relationship in secret, and to them I've just been her best friend. When we started dating it was no secret and I got a phone call from her mother, telling me to not be romantic with her and just be friendly for the time being.

Sorry for the backstory, but it was necessary. Anyways, if you have seen my other posts and know that I was raised an atheist. Although so many things have happened in my life that have changed my beliefs. Presently, I don't know what to believe. My girlfriend is the exact opposite. Her family is very religious, and she has been pushed away from religion. She doesn't know what to believe either.

It came up over dinner one night with her family that I don't go to church, although I never mentioned that I was raised an atheist. My girlfriend knows that, but her family doesn't. Her father told me I could go to church with them if I wanted, and I told him I'd appreciate it.

I guess what I'm asking is should I go? I've always wanted to explore religion just to try and find my beliefs, and I know that if I do go it will be a really good way to earn her parents trust. But I'm so nervous I'll make a bad impression on her parents if I don't do it right and I will lose her altogether. I don't know the first thing about going to church, or what it all involves. I really need some advice right now.

(Admins, feel free to move this post, I couldn't find a good place for it, and this was the best I could think of)

Might be nice to go with them. Lets you experience church and helps them learn to trust you more. Win win