Atheists in church

[possibletarian]

I was reading a testimonial on another forum about a long time Christian who eventually became an atheist and left their church, but missed the community of people.  It got me to thinking, is there some justification for us as atheists to continue to be a part of a church body but as an open atheist?  The community of people can be a nice thing and isolation only creates ignorance for Christians who see atheists as monsters.  If they new they had like twelve of them in their church, perhaps they would be more understanding, especially if they knew us well and understood our way of thinking.  I'm quite certain there are people attending most churches who have significant doubts and possibly many who are closet atheists.

I remember as a child there were stories about a guy who attended the 1st Baptist Church in my town who would sleep through sermons and interrupt and do other mildly obnoxious things.  People said he was an atheist and we would all gasp with horror.  I never learned the truth about those stories and for all I know they could have been urban myths.  But now it makes me wonder.  I could be that guy sitting in the pews, though I wouldn't interrupt or sleep.  I would debate with Christians and they would try their best to convert me.  But we would still be friends and perhaps they wouldn't fear the word "atheist".

Most of my social group are still Christians, I enjoy their company immensely they are bright considerate people and a delight to have long conversations with about everything. They know I'm an atheist now and don't really push any agenda, and I'm familiar with church speak so it does not come across as intent to convert.

Lately the questions they have been asking me suggest that they too doubt the validity of their beliefs, but simply enjoy being a church community. As for going to church myself, I'm glad to attend for special events and social events, but find the thought of praying and singing praise to be empty, it's not that I don't want to be hypocrite it's more that it simply feels a little daft to me.

I will continue to value their genuine friendship and will always love them for the part they played in my life, though I suspect looking at others stories of leaving the church that I'm one of the very lucky ones. I never fell out with the people in church, and realised it was pointless being angry at a god that did not even exist, so now I'm chilled.