Attended church for the first time in years

[Aegon]

It was incredibly creepy. I forgot how uncomfortable it makes me. I was raised in the Catholic church. There's no sect that is more "cultish" than Catholicism IMO. This church was Methodist, but the key creepy things were still present:

• Reciting the "affirmation of faith" in unison
  
• A pastor whose sermon stressed that nothing you do matters unless you have faith. And if you challenge, doubt or ignore "the truth" (the words of the Gospel) then you cannot go to heaven. 
  
• Eating and drinking what symbolizes the body and blood of Christ
  

I mean, as an outsider, an objective voice, looking in; it was extraordinarily disturbing. The rituals reminded me very strongly of a cult's, and the pastor's words felt like a scare tactic (don't you dare doubt these things or you will suffer.) It all seemed like textbook Cult Management 101. Yikes.

[Minimalist]

Why would you do such a thing to yourself?

[Natachan]

I’m so sorry for your lost time and effort.

The last time I went to church was a Christmas mass with my family. I didn’t partake in the sacrament and I mostly amused myself by reading the Latin phrases inscribed around the church. But for Methodists, I can imagine there would be less there to amuse yourself with.

[vulcanlogician]

It was incredibly creepy. I forgot how uncomfortable it makes me. I was raised in the Catholic church. There's no sect that is more "cultish" than Catholicism IMO.

I was raised Catholic, too. But ever since I attended a few Pentecostal services, I no longer consider Catholicism culty... at all...

[purplepurpose]

I mean, If they happen to be right about heaven, they will be banging each other for eternity. Work hard - play hard.

[The Grand Nudger]

Depends, I guess.  There's a porno park in desert heaven...but not in european heaven.

[Aegon]

Why would you do such a thing to yourself?

My girlfriend works at a faith-based nonprofit, and they work out of the church. I wanted to see the area she worked in and meet her coworkers, so I decided it wouldn't be a big deal to sit through the service. But it was a less than pleasant experience, and it made me realize that I don't want to attend mass again... ever.

[Minimalist]

Then it was time well spent.

[Brian37]

It was incredibly creepy. I forgot how uncomfortable it makes me. I was raised in the Catholic church. There's no sect that is more "cultish" than Catholicism IMO. This church was Methodist, but the key creepy things were still present:

• Reciting the "affirmation of faith" in unison
  
• A pastor whose sermon stressed that nothing you do matters unless you have faith. And if you challenge, doubt or ignore "the truth" (the words of the Gospel) then you cannot go to heaven. 
  
• Eating and drinking what symbolizes the body and blood of Christ
  

I mean, as an outsider, an objective voice, looking in; it was extraordinarily disturbing. The rituals reminded me very strongly of a cult's, and the pastor's words felt like a scare tactic (don't you dare doubt these things or you will suffer.) It all seemed like textbook Cult Management 101. Yikes.

Long ago, I stupidly tried to appease my fundy brother. He took me to a megga church in Phoenix Az, yep, same feeling. 

The delusional joy on his face, I could see he was thinking "All he(me) has to do is just believe".  It creeped me out big time. Wasn't a Catholic Church but same feeling. 

The Unitarian Church I attended in the late 90s early 2000s while still supporting mythology of all labels, was far more inclusive and while still superfluous to me, was far more full of liberal empathetic individuals of every religious label.

I stopped attending because I outgrew it.

[brewer]

Last time I was in a church it was for a funeral. As luck would have it the church was catholic and I was still drinking heavily. Catholics seems to tolerate drunks better.