[MissTwisties]

How many of you go to church on the weekend? Now before I get flamed, I am not in any way starting a religion thread here, this is more like a "personnal survey" I'm doing for myself, after many people told me to find a parish and start going to church, to meet people, other parents/families to be able to start building a social circle and make friends. I've always thought about the church being mostly visited by "elderly" people or fans of God...well some people tried to change my views (misconceptions) about church, and basically told me that at our age, and with kids, it is so difficult to make new friends (we're not in school or going out in bars anymore) that joining a local parish is a good way to meet other parents in the same situation (family obligations, no time for fun, etc.) and take it from there to get to know people with similar interests, hobbies, views, etc... I'm Catholic but not religious at all (except for weddings/baptisms, etc.) and from this fact always thought that I wouldn't "fit" with the church scene. So this why my question....do you go to church, and how does it improve your social life? Do you find people with similar views/interests/hobbies? Did you build nice friendships? I see the sportbike community as fairly marginal (out of the usual crowd) so I'm not expecting that many of you will answer "yes"....LOL (surprise me?)

[Jaynnus]

What is this place you refer to????

[MissTwisties]

Moved in CT? Like I said, this is NOT a religion thread at all, it's only to see if other people have used church as a meeting place, as a "social" way to meet people...posted in off topic...I guess I fail to see what's controversial about that... I do not want to talk about Jesus, mmmkay? To be frank, I do not imagine anyone in here going to church on a Saturday or Sunday morning...lol

[TheIglu]

I don't go to church. I'm a confirmed Catholic. I don't believe Jesus was the man. I think he was just another person.

Church is a clique. If it isn't, then why are there so many churches in a single town for the same religion? Or for minute distinctions between religions? I don't think they are bad for people, just don't expect to be included on the "inner circle" necessarily.

Most adults make friends from work. Since you work from the home this is much more difficult. Consider joining an athletic leauge to meet people or a club that shares similar interests as your own.

I played indoor soccer in Wilbraham for a while with my ex. That was fun and we met a few people from it.

Hobbies are the best way to meet people. For some, god is a hobby. For others, it's scrapbooking (I have no idea how this is even remotely entertaining, but whatever), music (open mic nights), book clubs, etc.

Consider taking some classes at a local college that involve things you may not have ever thought about. Take an art class, a cooking class, a psychology class. You could meet friends that way as well as building yourself as a person.

I just see so many other things to do to improve your life other than church. As someone who doesn't feel a void or desire for that type of babysat spirituality, I'm one to push more for other ways to better yourself. Just keep in mind it's my opinion and that's all it is. I don't mean to put down the uber-religious, it's your call just as it's mine to be uber-non-religious.

HAIL SATAN!!!

[TheIglu]

Yeah, a college course or something similar would be PERFECT. Then a casual "You wanna grab a drink after class? I need one after dealing with this idiot of a professor..." will take it from there.

Damn I'm smart!

And I made Clayton's patented Meat-Wad last night. It was delicious!!!

[MissTwisties]

HAIL SATAN! that was funny. You see, this is why I doubt I would find what I'm looking for...for those similar reasons that you mentioned. I'm a confirmed Catholic also and besides attending weddings/baptisms/christmas eves (when I was young), etc. I never went to church. One advantage I see for it, is that it is FREE. lol My means are low right now, down to only 2 kids in my daycare. But since I do not practice religion, I would feel like an hypocrit to go to church when my only intention would be to meet other people/families. I have NO desire in listening to God talk for a few hours. I can do my own talk with the "man" during my private times when I'm alone and feel the need to talk to him. Taking classes is a GREAT idea...just not sure I can afford it right now....painting actually sounds wonderful (I used to have great talent for drawing and arts). Anyway....this was only out of curiosity when I asked this question....I'm certainly not expecting anything out of it. Thanks for your input Iglu.

[richw]

Do it for the kids

My youngest is still only 2 but when he is three and can sit still for 45 minutes

The 4 of us will be once a month (arbitrary) church goers.

Certainly a religious side gives great comfort to many people.

I want my kids to believe that "God sees all that you do" is the best law man has ever come up with.

My 5 year old excepted his uncles death as his trip to heaven

If when they are teens they decide they can't buy in well so be it but the good will have soaked through.

If you don't believe in any "higher" power then everything is just some A-holes opinion.

[MissTwisties]

I do believe there is something higher than us...

[TheIglu]

Springfield is LOADED with community programs that are cheap/free. Make use of them!

If you can show you don't have the means to pay for an education (even if it's classes with no real goal), the government will help you. STCC is cheap, and there are plenty of other places locally or within a short commute that have things to do.

Join an athletic facility (non-profit) and attend some airobic classes, kickboxing, yoga etc. It'll get you outta the house, away from the kids and out with other women in similar situations as yourself. Plus you get a good workout!

[benVFR]

V I think people will see right through you if you are not really a strong believer.

I go about once a month like richw, usually with my parents who never miss church unless they are so sick they almost need to go to the hospital. (I think I missed church like 2x in my life before going to college and they sent me off to Catholic HS too.)

I don't know that you would find a good social setting there anyway. Some churches in some areas have a lot of young families who go to church, but a lot of other catholic churches are practically a retirement community right now. It really makes me feel weird to go and be the only person in the church who is under 55 years old, and even when I have been going to a parish that has the young families, I still don't fit in there because that is all about making & raising babies. There was no one single there.

Whatever.. they went and closed the church I was going too anyway cause they were running out of money from paying off victims of child molestation. They got some issues to work out. There were 3 priests who were pedophiliacs who were caught who were active priests at parishes I attended at one time or another as a kid. None of them ever bugged me, one of them was extremely mean to my younger brother although he never did anything sexual around him. That whole thing does not make me any more eager to go every week and have them lecture me on morals. When the clergy heals their internal problems maybe Catholics will go back to church.

[MissTwisties]

That does put a shadow over the church....

When I first made a search on Google for "Springfield Diocese", the second or third link to appear was one of pictures of priests who have been accused of molestation on children who are now adults coming back at them. GREAT first impression I got, when I was only looking for way to improve my life...Iglu is right tho...I have also started to look at local museums to visit/take arts classes, also the local arts and crafts stores (Michael's and A.C. Moore) offer various classes (I can go with or without the kids). I'm trying to talk to some parents at my kids Taekwondo classes too, but a lot of them just do "drop off" and don't even stay to watch, so I often end up surrounded by grand-parents...lol

[s a x m a n]

i'm the choir director for my church ... i enjoy worshiping in a musical way ... the speak together and pray together freaks me out, but i can do the music stuff, so it works well for me

[MissTwisties]

This is also something that got in the back of my head...my youngest daughter has a REALLY nice voice...she can sing with the right tone, she would sing all day if she could. SO I was thinking she might have an opportunity to join a choir, if they take little ones (she's only 5...). I'm surprise to hear this from you saxman...this only shows how there is so much to learn about the members in here.

Originally posted by s a x m a n
i'm the choir director for my church ... i enjoy worshiping in a musical way ... the speak together and pray together freaks me out, but i can do the music stuff, so it works well for me

[katana0215]

I dont go, unless its for someones funeral or wedding. Wouldnt ever go on my own. I dont buy into it at all

[bump909]

Originally posted by s a x m a n
i'm the choir director for my church ... i enjoy worshiping in a musical way ... the speak together and pray together freaks me out, but i can do the music stuff, so it works well for me

you do the worshipping stuff that doesn't make you fall asleep.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by richw
Do it for the kids

My youngest is still only 2 but when he is three and can sit still for 45 minutes

The 4 of us will be once a month (arbitrary) church goers.

Certainly a religious side gives great comfort to many people.

I want my kids to believe that "God sees all that you do" is the best law man has ever come up with.

My 5 year old excepted his uncles death as his trip to heaven

If when they are teens they decide they can't buy in well so be it but the good will have soaked through.

If you don't believe in any "higher" power then everything is just some A-holes opinion.

On all counts. Good post,

degs

[OreoGitorio]

Originally posted by Degsy
On all counts. Good post,

degs

werd... very good post. I'm not terribly religious now. I believe in God, Jesus etc, but i'm not a committed Christian... However it has done alot more for me as far as having a good heart & being a good person with values.... or so i think

[bump909]

Originally posted by richw
Do it for the kids

My youngest is still only 2 but when he is three and can sit still for 45 minutes

The 4 of us will be once a month (arbitrary) church goers.

Certainly a religious side gives great comfort to many people.

I want my kids to believe that "God sees all that you do" is the best law man has ever come up with.

My 5 year old excepted his uncles death as his trip to heaven

If when they are teens they decide they can't buy in well so be it but the good will have soaked through.

If you don't believe in any "higher" power then everything is just some A-holes opinion.

that's it, get them while they're young, naive, and easily influenced!

yes, the "god sees all that you do"! ahh, brings me back to my catholic school days. nothing like instilling fear into those young minds!

[benVFR]

Take em to church and send em off to Catholic school, that'll teach em to be good little church-goers.

But don't let them go visit Rome in their senior year of high school. They might see what it's really all about!

[MissTwisties]

which is? Beautiful historic buildings, gorgeous scenery, good food, etc.?

Originally posted by benVFR
Take em to church and send em off to Catholic school, that'll teach em to be good little church-goers.

But don't let them go visit Rome in their senior year of high school. They might see what it's really all about!

[bentbryan]

Originally posted by bump909
that's it, get them while they're young, naive, and easily influenced!

yes, the "god sees all that you do"! ahh, brings me back to my catholic school days. nothing like instilling fear into those young minds!

Fear is good.

[Kham]

Originally posted by bentbryan
Fear is good.

i take it you're not Martin Luther King's follower.


so V, NESR is not a very good social group? you'll need more than 1 thing in common i guess.

[MissTwisties]

You all live kinda far from me...I think there is a very small amount of members from my area. For me to even think about getting togueter with most of you, I'd have to ride about 2 hours just to get there. It wouldn't be such a problem if I had the TIME, and could afford a sitter for a whole day, and didn't have to take care of everything around here. My poor baby ninjette has been cumulating dust since that last ride in June.....

Originally posted by Kham
i take it you're not Martin Luther King's follower.


so V, NESR is not a very good social group? you'll need more than 1 thing in common i guess.