Atheists in church

[Ahriman]

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

"They" had bouncers at your church?

You do realize that some of us are ex-Catholic so you should really work a little harder to make your stories believable.

Not bouncers. The offending party would be politely asked to leave by one of the staff members. If the offending party refused to leave, more staff members would get involved. I never witnessed this happening myself. This is just what I was told would happen.

[no one]

Nothing so wholesome as watching christards practice the loving was of their savior.

[Spongebob]

I get that being a member of a church suggests that one agrees with the tenets and takes an active role in the rituals and practices, but I know for certain that many people take a cafeteria approach to Christianity. They definitively don't agree with 100% of what is taught and practiced, but they choose to stay. Also, churches can be, and many definitely are, more than just places of worship. They are places where the community organizes for acts of service and charity. They are support centers for people with little else in their life, particularly the elderly and the mentally challenged. And there are definitely certain types of churches that would not abide by an avowed atheist being part of their congregation. It's seems ridiculous that a church would not welcome the unbeliever when their very goal is to convert the unbeliever into a believer. Its kind of like that old trope where you can't get a job without experience but you can't get experience without a job.

---

That's bullshit.

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

I also call complete bullshit on that.  You're lying.  I've attended many Catholic masses as an atheist.  Catholics are actually some of the most welcoming to people of all stripes.

[Ahriman]

I get that being a member of a church suggests that one agrees with the tenets and takes an active role in the rituals and practices, but I know for certain that many people take a cafeteria approach to Christianity.  They definitively don't agree with 100% of what is taught and practiced, but they choose to stay.  Also, churches can be, and many definitely are, more than just places of worship.  They are places where the community organizes for acts of service and charity.  They are support centers for people with little else in their life, particularly the elderly and the mentally challenged.  And there are definitely certain types of churches that would not abide by an avowed atheist being part of their congregation.  It's seems ridiculous that a church would not welcome the unbeliever when their very goal is to convert the unbeliever into a believer.  Its kind of like that old trope where you can't get a job without experience but you can't get experience without a job.

---

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

I also call complete bullshit on that.  You're lying.  I've attended many Catholic masses as an atheist.  Catholics are actually some of the most welcoming to people of all stripes.

We (the youth) were told only to try and convert those who were on the fence. In other words, agnostics. We were told to not even bother with atheists.

[Spongebob]

We (the youth) were told only to try and convert those who were on the fence. In other words, agnostics. We were told to not even bother with atheists.

100% nonsense.  Why even open your mouth?

---

I know tons of Catholics. They are taught no such thing.

[Mister Agenda]

That's bullshit.

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

Wow, Catholics escort potential converts out of the building, no wonder their numbers are shrinking.

[Ahriman]

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

Wow, Catholics escort potential converts out of the building, no wonder their numbers are shrinking.

Decided atheists are not "potential converts", they don't belong at Mass.

[Spongebob]

OK, that's irrelevant anyway, just like almost everything Ahriman utters. My question is what, if any, value is there in atheists continuing to be a part of a church community? I agree there are probably other, more appropriate, community organizations. I remember my parents being members of organizations when I was young that raised money for charities and helped people in need. This was in addition to whatever community service they did with the church (usually much less). I would feel more comfortable with a non-religious organization but theists have a built in distrust of any organization that declares itself areligious and that, again, is why I ask if it's perhaps better to engage more with them on their turf. I don't know, maybe I'm just being overly submissive here. Just looking for insight.

[arewethereyet]

Wow, Catholics escort potential converts out of the building, no wonder their numbers are shrinking.

Decided atheists are not "potential converts", they don't belong at Mass.

You are such a liar.

You aren't even trying any more to conceal your trolldom.

[onlinebiker]

You mean, "bullshit" as in, it's not true? Because it is true, that's what they told us to do.

"They" had bouncers at your church?

You do realize that some of us are ex-Catholic so you should really work a little harder to make your stories believable.

Not just bouncers...
Armed guards.
Seriously.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2...urity.html