Atheist Seeking Church

[wanelad]

Hmmm yes overlooked that one myself, I have tatoos from a missspent youth, eg 16-18, met Jesus at age of 23 and now 53. I guess with my tatoos he would not want to be part of our church. But hey your most welcome, I will even pick you up at the airport

 

[fschmidt]

Don't you find it just a tad hypocritical that you want a church who will let in people who don't believe as they do, but not let in someone who DOES, but has a few tattoos?

By "no tattoos" I meant no tattoos visible. If someone has tattoos, they should cover them up.

Would you mind terribly if I pray that you find what you are looking for?

Of course I don't mind, as long you don't mind an atheist going to church.

 

[Singermom]

By "no tattoos" I meant no tattoos visible. If someone has tattoos, they should cover them up.

Not always that easy.

There is a woman in our church. Middle aged, extremely modest in dress and demeanor. Her son died of cancer when he was 11 years old. After he died, she did 2 things:

She and her husband adopted two boys, and

she got a tattoo.

It's fairly large and on her forearm. It's a heart with a scroll and a cross, with his name, date of birth and date of death.

Granted, in the winter no one sees it, but in the summer, it's there. Our building gets warm in the summer. She dresses modestly - I don't think I've ever seen her sleeveless - but she DOES wear shorter sleeves in the summer.

Would you tell her to leave, or have her forced to be extremely uncomfortable in the summer?

Just FYI: My daughters (who already have very tender hearts for Christ) have seen her tattoo. They have also seen an episode of the TV show "How It's Made" on tattoos. They've already pretty much decided that they'll never get one.

 

[fschmidt]

Would you tell her to leave, or have her forced to be extremely uncomfortable in the summer?

I would require her to wear a light long sleeve shirt. That shouldn't cause extreme discomfort in the summer.

Let me ask you this. Suppose the tattoo was of the devil with "sympathy for the devil" written on it. Would you tolerate it then? To me, all tattoos represent the same thing. They are expressions of support for modern culture. 100 years ago, no one got tattoos. I find tattoos as offensive as swastikas or any other symbol expressing support for evil.

 

[wanelad]

I am not into tattoos, I see them of a mistake of my youth, and although I do not condemn tatoos it does surprise me for an adult to mark their body in such a permanent way, for whatever purpose.

I do not cover them though, simply because they are part of me, and at times they give me opportunities to share with some that I would not normally be able to reach. Sure if it is cold I wear long sleaves but not if it is hot, I am open and have nothing to hide. I would not choose to have them again though for whatever purpose.

 

[Singermom]

Let me ask you this. Suppose the tattoo was of the devil with "sympathy for the devil" written on it. Would you tolerate it then?

If they were coming to our church and either were saved or looking to BE saved...you bet I would...and welcome them with open arms...and have.

 

[fschmidt]

I thought I would give an update on my search. I have visited 2 Christian churches, Mormon and Sovereign Grace Ministries. These services were 3 hours and 2 hours for a total of 5 hours in church so far. In all that time, I haven't heard a single mention of any moral or ethical issues. The entire focus was on faith in Christ, which of course means nothing to me as an Atheist. I think I could put up with 80% faith and 20% ethics. If I remember the Gospels from reading them a long time ago, Christ did have a lot to say about moral issues, and I generally agree with Christ. Do any churches discuss this kind of thing? So I am disappointed so far. I will visit Greek Orthodox next week.

 

[Bro_Sam]

I thought I would give an update on my search. I have visited 2 Christian churches, Mormon and Sovereign Grace Ministries. These services were 3 hours and 2 hours for a total of 5 hours in church so far. In all that time, I haven't heard a single mention of any moral or ethical issues. The entire focus was on faith in Christ

Thank you. That's the best news I've heard all day.

If I remember the Gospels from reading them a long time ago, Christ did have a lot to say about moral issues

True, but He never did so just for the sake of moralizing. It was ALWAYS in the context of the preaching of the Gospel.

Do any churches discuss this kind of thing? So I am disappointed so far.

Just as I told you you would be. Like I told you, you're not going to find a church that suits you because church isn't for you.

I will visit Greek Orthodox next week.

Good luck with that. You'd better take a toothbrush with you because their services last for hours.

 

[Bro_Sam]

Bro have you ever considered he is being called by God rather than what he thinks to be his own decision?

Why would God call him to a church when God's description of the church in the Bible is for the Body of Christ, not for goats?

 

[united4Peace]

I have to say though I have not attended church in about a yr or so I have to agree with bro sam. Christians are not perfect. You can meet many outside of church, Christians and non christians who are wonderful people with high morals, sometimes even more so than the ones who attend Church.
That said, I have to disagree with Tattoos as I know many who got Tats who got them as Christian's. I myself want a cross on my ankle, and will do so one day and trust me I wont be hiding the tat, as when I do go to Church I wear shorts, capris, jeans, tshirts, sweaters....so yes from Spring through Fall everyone would be able to see the tat

 

[wanelad]

Fsch - Interesting Sovereign Grace Ministries, I am not that familiar with however currently reading one of their ministers Wayne Grudem books in Systematic Theology.

Faith in Christ is a good thing, and how you will discover the morals you seek plus he is where you will find forgivness however I understand you are not ready for that as yet.

I would give this church a few visits, as a summary cannot be done in 1 visit.
-----------------------------------------------------
Bro, I now understand your arguments as I see that you are 'calvanist' therefore you may understand my view as a non calvanist? I never knew what a calvanist believed until just last week, and I hold a doctrine that is far removed from the same. However God Bless as the author of our faith remains the same amen.

 

[HisHomeMaker]

God is the judge, not Christians and not the preachers. Well... not most preachers. So you may find more teaching and worshiping than moralizing than you want at church.

 

[Bro_Sam]

Bro, I now understand your arguments as I see that you are 'calvanist' therefore you may understand my view as a non calvanist?

No, I really can't, because this isn't a Calvinist vs Arminian issue. This is a general teaching that goes across Calvinist and Arminian lines. If you're a Christian at all, then you have the same obligations I do to be obedient.

 

[SecretOfFatima]

I am an atheist who is disgusted with modern decadent culture. I am looking for a church to join that has good moral values. I also want this for my kids so that they can associate with decent people. I have the following criteria:

1. Must have a church in El Paso, TX where I live.

2. Must be tolerant enough to accept an atheist who only views Christ as an intelligent moral man whose advice is worth following.

3. Must strongly support monogamy and promote marriage.

4. Must have a strict dress code in church. No tattoos, body piercings, or immodest dress.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you looking for a church without sinners

here is some reading for you on your question:
As Catholics, do we have to accept everything the Church teaches?

If you want to call yourself Catholic, but you want to pick and choose for yourself which of the Church's teachings to accept and which to reject, you give everyone else who calls themselves Catholic the right to do the same thing.
For example, you believe women should be priests...in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1577 states, "Only a baptized man validly receives ordination...For this reason the ordination of women is not possible!" You don't believe that...well, that's fine...[RIP] just tear that page out of your Catechism...you just made it a Catechism of your Catholic Church...not mine.
But remember, if you can throw doctrines out, so can everyone else who calls themselves Catholic. That gives Joe Parishioner over at St. Doubting Thomas Catholic Church the right to throw out the Church's social justice teachings...he doesn't feel like feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, and all that other "bleeding heart" stuff - Paragraphs 2401 -2463 [RIP]...he just made it a Catechism of his Catholic Church...not mine and not yours.

You believe contraception is okay? Paragraph 2370 says contraception is intrinsically evil! [RIP] Joe Parishioner doesn't like what the Church teaches on the death penalty - Paragraphs 2266-2267[RIP]. You don't like what it teaches on pages 55-60 [RIP]. He doesn't like what it teaches on pages 128-140 [RIP] Can you see what's happening? I heard it said once that there is a shortage of vocations to the priesthood in the United States, but no shortage of vocations to the Papacy! If we don't believe in all of it, if we each appoint ourselves Pope and throw out a doctrine here or a doctrine there, then our faith is no longer Catholic.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Subscribing

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

*snip*
.. If I remember the Gospels from reading them a long time ago, Christ did have a lot to say about moral issues, and I generally agree with Christ. Do any churches discuss this kind of thing? So I am disappointed so far. I will visit Greek Orthodox next week.

Greetings.
He did touch on a few of them to the Jews concerning the 10 Commandments.
Ever read the jewish/hebrew book of Revelation

http://www.scripture4all.org/

Luke 18:20 The commandments thou have known, no thou should be committing adultery, no thou should be murdering, no thou should be stealing, no thou should be bearing false witness. Be honouring thy father and thy mother.

Revelation 9:21 And not they reform/repent out of their murders, nor out from their sorceries.......
[Luke 18:20/James 9:21]

 

[followerofchristIN]

I was not a Christian when I first started going to church, eventually the preaching was directed towards me and I broke down and gave in. I pray that the same thing happens for you

 

[Chris81]

I thought I would give an update on my search. I have visited 2 Christian churches, Mormon and Sovereign Grace Ministries. These services were 3 hours and 2 hours for a total of 5 hours in church so far. In all that time, I haven't heard a single mention of any moral or ethical issues. The entire focus was on faith in Christ, which of course means nothing to me as an Atheist. I think I could put up with 80% faith and 20% ethics. If I remember the Gospels from reading them a long time ago, Christ did have a lot to say about moral issues, and I generally agree with Christ. Do any churches discuss this kind of thing? So I am disappointed so far. I will visit Greek Orthodox next week.

I am very much interested in hearing the progress of your searching for a church for you and your family. As an atheist you placed some unique challenges towards finding a church that works well for you. However in this day in age most churches will likely welcome you to attend and participate within the church. Right now, you are looking for a safe place to raise your family that teaches good morals. While I pray that you may come seek to follow Christ as your savior, I am still thankful that you seek to be part of a church.

The church I attend is very welcoming to anyone who comes through our doors. Methodist Churches in the South tend to be fairly conservative and being that you are in Texas you should have no problem. While my church does not have a dress code, the men tend to wear suits and the women tend to wear dresses.

Assuming that you are new to Christianity, I would really recommend attending the Alpha course. The course is typically offered by nearly every church denomination. From my experience, for those who are seekers in Christ or just anyone interested in learning more about Christianity, the course is a great way to fellowship, question, and learn about Christ and the mission of the Church. Even though you are an atheist, I assure you that you would be welcomed. You may not be ready to attend the course but I pray that you may consider it at some point down the line.

I pray that you may have success finding a Church and that you and your family may come to experience the awesome love of Christ!

Blessings in Christ

Chris