A dilemma..

[Eve]

I have the opportunity to go back to Church this Sunday.

 

The Church which I was baptised in (and the children too by their choice) has a new building and my Hubby wants me to come with him. Now, I introduced my Hubby to Christianity via prayer. Essentially I asked him to be present whilst I prayed ... he saw and intrinsically recognised Gods Hand for himself and he is now a Christian.

 

Now, I have always had a detached relationship with Church life because I know what I know what I know and prefer a personal relationship with God. This is because I see a lot of 'psychological' stuff' within religion, which I avoid at all costs. Raising my children has proved to be a real challenge with thoughts as such .. but it has worked! They each have their own minds and 'know' right from wrong in ways which match Our Lords words and actions.

 

Now I stay away from Church because I do SO much within the week that I just need my weekends to recouperate! Plus I do not like many Christians who openly proclaim they are Christians. Anyhow, a change has happened..

 

I was offered a job, which I turned down in the end because I was not impressed with the HR Department. In the end I accepted another job which starts on Monday 27th October 2008. This is a marvellous opportunity and the right decison I am sure... however some of my former clients now attend the Church in question and I want to support them. This is mainly because I know what it is like to not fit in...

 

I would attend for them, to ensure that they understand the faith and are not manipulated ... but really I do not want to go back to Church and neither do my children.

 

What is a girl to do in this situation?

[theBrokenMuse]

Does he want you to join up with that Church again or is this a one time deal to see the changes. If it's a one time thing, I'd probably go just to make the Hubby happy and keep him from bugging you. I've even attended Church on occasion since becoming an atheist. It was a tad bit awkward but other than that, went quite smoothly. If he wants you to join a Church and start going every week, you may want to nip it in the bud now with your husband and tell him in no uncertain terms that it holds no appeal to you whatsoever.

[ed-205]

Eve, I feel more or less the same as you. I never realized what it meant to be a Christian until I stopped going to church and discovered it for myself. Ever since then, I've never been to a church where I didn't feel like an "outsider". I don't "go" to church anymore because I "AM" in church, always. That, I think, is what always frustrated me. Some people seem to think church is the only "Holy" place they can meet with God, but in reality it's little more than a clubhouse for people with similar interests, just another social institution not unlike the corner bar. Some people find comfort there, and there's nothing wrong with that, but going there won't necessarily bring you closer to God that you already are.

If you want to attend the church to maintain a personal relationship with your clients, and make it a *family* activity (stop for cheeseburgers afterward!), that might make it worthwhile in itself even if you don't agree completely with the dogma. It can be an interesting social activity.

[Eve]

Thanks for the responses - though reading my post again boy did I go on a bit.. This has been on my mind somewhat. My former clients are going to go with a Minister who I trust. He is a decent man with a practical knowledge of Scripture and he is genuinely loving. Job done.

 

Ed - I found that the meetings within the week were simply too much and looking back it was all rather incestuous in that the same core family members ran the show and I am nothing like their family members. I especially didnt like how they were always awarding each other for their committments etc.

 

Brokenmuse - Hubby finally understands that I am not going back. I know that he wants to fit in with the family groups because he likes them a lot. I have told him that if this is healthy for him right now then he must go on his own. He says that he feels awkward because neither I nor the children will attend but I suppose he has to make up his own mind what he wants. I cant be doing with it. Dont get me wrong, they are good people its just .. I cant explain. As Ed says I too am SO much more happier in my faith since I stopped attending Church!