What Church Going People Really Don't Want to Give Up and What Are the Alternatives?


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DennisWisconsin is offline DennisWisconsin Post #1  November 1,2009, 5:52pm
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Picture from the Chicago Tribune Article, "Godless Advertise Their Goodness in Chicago."
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/...billboard.html

As the on going debates continue - seemingly without end - I believe that most often the debates themselves harden many of the religious people they are designed to convince. It is easy for us to tell people that believing is wrong thinking but I haven't seen anyone present alternatives to the (services) that churches provide.

People like going to church for many reasons, some of them are: (feel free to add to this list)


1. Creates a sense of community and gives them a chance to commune with others in the community.
Alternatives to this?

2. When I went to church I always liked the sermons. I always learned something about getting along with others.
Alternatives to this?

3. Gives people a way to release tension (singing) from the previous week. Being absolved of your sins of the week before allows you to put those things in your past and move on.
Alternatives to this?

4. Hope and energy for the week ahead. Most people leave church feeling refreshed and ready for Monday (unless their Packers lost to some purple traitor.)
Alternatives to this?

5. Free? (church dues) family counseling.
Alternatives to this?
Last edited by DennisWisconsin; November 1,2009 at 5:58pm.
 
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WeDesignOurLives is offline WeDesignOurLives Post #2  November 2,2009, 8:57am
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DennisWisconsin wrote :
People like going to church for many reasons, some of them are: (feel free to add to this list)
People used to go to be held accountable for a level of integrity that was difficult to maintain. Now people moreso go for emotional validation and forgiveness (it's more narcisistic ... whattever I do god will forgive me).
 
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ming_on_mongo is offline ming_on_mongo Post #3  November 2,2009, 9:43am
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DennisWisconsin wrote :
People like going to church for many reasons, some of them are: (feel free to add to this list)
...um, because it's a good place to "pick up chicks"...?
 
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DennisWisconsin is offline DennisWisconsin Post #4  November 2,2009, 10:41am
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I think you said this in the other thread and I hope that you are incorrect in that people will always believe in some God... I hope that the world eventually moves away from thought processes that simply explain things that happen as God's will... Most people are smarter than that... i.e. the crops failed because of lack of rain; the baby died because it had kidney disease, I have blue eyes because I inherited that trait through genes from my mother; etc.
 
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Sassafras54 is offline Sassafras54 — Advice Official Moderator Post #5  November 2,2009, 12:32pm
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There's always Unitarian church, where you can have whatever beliefs you have, and still have the community, sermons, music, weekly meditative structure, AND pick up dudes/chicks!
 
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DennisWisconsin is offline DennisWisconsin Post #6  November 2,2009, 1:58pm
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Sassafras54 wrote :
There's always Unitarian church, where you can have whatever beliefs you have, and still have the community, sermons, music, weekly meditative structure, AND pick up dudes/chicks!
All centered around Christ and the bible no doubt... Nice try though...
 
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Sassafras54 is offline Sassafras54 — Advice Official Moderator Post #7  November 2,2009, 2:15pm
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I went to one U. church several times, and it wasn't religious, let alone Christian or anything in particular. They had subgroups who held their own separate meetings, eg Christian Unitarians, Jewish U's etc. In the main events, there was no set doctrine.

Am not sure but believe each U. church congregation can form itself as it wants, so there probably are some that are a particular religion. I remember also that they had a Mission Statement kind of thing, for their congregation, that stated what they believe in. That might be a general Unitarian thing come to think of it. It had statements like "believe in the sanctity of each individual", "believe in the value of community" etc. There was no mention of any kind of Deity or anything.

Another thing the U. church had that people like in churches was a school for younger children, that taught U. values along with the usual school stuff.

Really! You can be an atheist and happily go to a U. church. Not everyone there will be an atheist, but many will be atheist, and you will be able to participate in all its main meetings and activities fully, without having to stare vacantly or mumble during "prayers" or pledges that include "under God" etc.

Oof! Can't believe I forgot about that place. It's not too far from here. Probably a better bet than eH! Perhaps I will look into it again. (Yes, my focus would be picking up dudes. I can get transcendental on my own.) When I went before, I got jumped on, by people trying to get me to join, and expecting a tithe. They were persistent. I feel that these days I am well able to fend them off so could safely go back.
 
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Spider is offline Spider Post #8  November 2,2009, 2:19pm
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DennisWisconsin wrote :
(re: Unitarian churches) All centered around Christ and the bible no doubt... Nice try though...
Actually, not really. The UU congregations can include Wiccans, Buddhists, New Age woosters, and even agnostics and atheists, along with some very liberal Christians. Local groups comprise a wide range of people, most of whom, I believe (from what I've heard/observed) are there for the sense of community. The church 'services' are often centered around an ethical/philosophical issue, even political issues, with only as much religious content as the speaker adds. I don't think there's much rigidity or dogma in the ritual (if any). It's a pretty inclusive, and tolerant, group.
 
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ming_on_mongo is offline ming_on_mongo Post #9  November 2,2009, 2:31pm
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DennisWisconsin wrote :
All centered around Christ and the bible no doubt... Nice try though...
Well Dennis, than it's clearly time for you to start another religion here, that's an alternative to all that. While still providing the other things that people seem to want (community, music, higher meaning, etc.), but without all that messy "bible" stuff!

So whatcha think, got any inclination to be a "cult leader", or at least an "evangelist" for science & reason?! And just think of all those nubile acolytes eagerly looking to bestow their, um, "gratitude" on their Teacher & Savior, for rescuing them from the perils of ignorance & superstition.... HALLELUJAH!
 
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DennisWisconsin is offline DennisWisconsin Post #10  November 2,2009, 2:48pm
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Sassafras54 wrote :
(Yes, my focus would be picking up dudes.

Sassafras54 wrote :
I can get transcendental on my own.)

Sassafras54 wrote :
When I went before, I got jumped on, by people trying to get me to join, and expecting a tithe. They were persistent. I feel that these days I am well able to fend them off so could safely go back.
 
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