QOTW: Visiting other people's churches?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
QOTW: Visiting other people's churches?
25
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 12:17pm

Today DH's nephew will be confirmed in the Roman Catholic church.  I'm happy for the kid, but really not looking forward to going.  We don't normally attend church, so I'm leary of how my kids will be able to handle sitting there for upwards of an hour.  The church's ideas are not something I believe in, so I don't relish spending my own time there either.  I'm not angry about it in any way, don't get me wrong; just not looking forward to it. 


Anyway, it got me wondering... how do you feel about attending someone else's religious service, whether it's a completely different religion or just a different denomination?  Do you look forward to trying something new?  Do you try to avoid it?  Does it depend on the reason for being there?


 






iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2002
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 9:35pm
I don't have too much of a problem visiting different churches.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 11:50pm

When we go to a church that doesn't meld with my personal belief systems, I participate as much as I feel comfortable and then just remain silent when they say a prayer or sing a song that doesn't match my beliefs. I'm not going to pray a prayer or sing a song that I don't believe what I'm saying/singing

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 11:54pm

Wow Carol!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 4:44am
Our church is a non-denom Christian church,
but we don't mind visiting other Christian churches
or even mainstream Christian churches when invited.

~*~ .... ~*~



~*~ Aloha to all .... ~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 12:17pm

"how do you feel about attending someone else's religious service, whether it's a completely different religion or just a different denomination? Do you look forward to trying something new? Do you try to avoid it? Does it depend on the reason for being there?"

I only go if it's a family/friend thing (like weddings, funerals, etc.) *or* I am actively searching, and decided to check out a particular church (as I did recently, with the UU church I've been attending).

Otherwise, no, I have no interest in going just for "educational" purposes. I only try something new if I am in seeking mode. Actually, in finding the UU church, I wasn't "spiritual seeking" at all. My religion is Wicca and I'm not looking for a new religion or different God/s to worship. :P I was looking for a sense of community to work on social justice issues and do some volunteer work, as I am on a Solitary path with the Goddess and God. UU gives me that option without requiring dogma/doctrine acceptance, etc. UU also gave me a connection to a Pagan Circle, which my DD and I have joined, and we all get together to celebrate our Sabbats. :) In fact, the Pagan Circle is more important than the UU to me. The services are "too churchy" for my taste, and not enough Pagan. But I like the people in both groups, so I attend both...

Gypsy
)O(



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



Avatar for cl_h_m_rogers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 1:06pm
I don't mind visiting another church of the same denomination, although I can feel just a bit 'out of place' depending on the 'vibes' I get from the regulars. Visiting a church of another denomination is usually not too big of a deal either, except when their beliefs don't mesh with mine, then I do feel uncomfortable, but usually manage to muddle through. I've never been to a 'church' of another faith, but if asked, I'd gladly go (curiosity usually wins over any uncomfortable feelings I may have).






















iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 1:56pm
I don't go to church as well, but I really do enjoy going to other churches.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 6:06pm

I am usually "busy" when events call for attendance at other people's Christian churches.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2004
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 6:54pm
i don't mind going to other people's churches for these reasons. i like new experiences.






Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2004
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 8:44pm

You asked me the wrong question on the wrong day.


I am Roman Catholic. My DH is Methodist. We are raising our girls Roman Catholic. The parish we attend is very welcoming. The priests and sisters have all asked DH if he were interested in converting, and have graciously taken no for an answer. They refer to him as the resident Methodist Catholic, and have acknowledged that he attends church more faithfully than some of the Catholic dads. Together we have attended services at Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian and Southern Baptist churches. I didn't feel out of place, except at the latter.


Today, though, was DH's grandma's funeral. Our 11 year old attended with us, and DH's minister brother was the preacher. He expounded on the fact that Grandma was only in heaven because at age 84 (4 years ago) she accepted Jesus as her personal savior. Several times he said that, despite all the good works she had done, had she not been born again, she would be doomed to he77.


Had we not loved Grandma, we would have left. I am tired of that brother and the other, as well as FIL insisting that my kids and I are going to he77 because of our faith. MIL at least admits (and I quote) that "being Catholic hasn't seemed to have hurt you any." UGH.


Sorry....bad day.



Beth
Proud to be co-cl for