Going to Mass

[james7300]

I presume even the most hardened atheists among you have from time to time, set foot back in a church.

What do you think when you go there? I personally look around and think do all these people actually still believe all this bs. It's also the elaborate ceremony which grates with me most of all. And the obsession with death.

[Tulip1]

I never grew up in a religion and I did not ever set foot in a church while a service was on. Other then that I have been in a few churches just for historical reasons.

But I always have thought: do people really believe this?

[mkaobrih]

I day dream and people watch. What I find annoying is that I still know all the responses to all the chants.

[chemicals]

i still bless myself when funerals pass

[james7300]

Blessing myself is a real bugbear with me. A silly secret sign that only true believers are supposed to know.

[GT]

Funerals are quick enough and I try not to piss people off but for weddings I play smartphone games

[Dr Raskolnikov]

i still bless myself when funerals pass

Sounds like one for the old lapsed atheist confessional thread!

I'm very careful with saying "Godbless!" at the end of phone calls to my parents. They always sign off with that phrase and I try to remember not to respond in kind. They don't know I'm not a religioid any more, but I like to leave breadcrumbs nonetheless!

[Puck]

I love looking around the building, studying the layout, the images, statues, the clothing of the priest, etc trying to understand how does it all tie together to improve ones connection to their god.

After the baptism/wedding/funeral, I usually ask one of the believers about their building (eg How old is the church?, Who is that statue over there?, What does that particular stain glass pattern on the window represent?).

I normally just get a shrug on the shoulders and "I don't know". For something they hold so sacred, they never appear to be that interested in it.

[aiseiri47]

I've been to mass for a few occasions - funerals, weddings, a confirmation (most of my relatives just invite me to the at-home event for communions and confirmations - but as they say, there's always one), etc;

They make me feel uncomfortable to an extent - I don't kneel or recite prayers, and when everyone around you is partaking in some kind of weird ritual worship you can't help feel like an odd one out even when you know they're the crazy ones. I do stand, just because I feel like not standing when others are doing so is a little rude and I don't particularly want to look like a spoiled child protesting having to go to mass. And of course the fact that I do stand irritates me. I tend to roll my eyes and sigh quietly during the readings and homilies.

On a related note, I recently attended an ante-natal class that was held in the town's parish centre. (Luckily there was nothing religious about it, it's just a handy spot for hosting classes). I couldn't help but notice that the building, which is only a few years old, is spectacularly beautiful. The structure, workmanship, finishing, etc was very fine indeed, and of course it annoyed the hell out of me because it was further proof that the church would rather spend their money on fine decor than on helping those in need. Whatever anyone wants to say, it's not just the Vatican.

[NorthOfTheBorder]

I personally look around and think do all these people actually still believe all this bs

Yep, that's my main reaction too. I seem to split my time between wondering how can anybody take all this crap seriously and internally fuming at the patronising tone of the priest delivering unsubstantiated shite from the pulpit with the expectation that everyone agrees. To be honest, spending time in the presence of people who have suspended their critical faculties so drastically actually makes me feel very uncomfortable