Do you go to church?

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Did a VERY long time ago. Parents would go and I would go along -- this lasted until I was about 8. Then we all stopped going.

I haven't been to church in years though -- I am atheist.

I go to church. I don't go to make friends, though. It is a good place to hear the Bible discussed and to find out how people relate it to their regular lives.

I also use it as a way to find out about needs that I may help with. I can't stand going to meetings that generally get off topic and accomplish so little. I like to identify a need, assess what we/I can do to fill it, and get it done.

It seems that would kill the mood...

The only problem I have with church is the people occupying the building. I just haven't found one I feel comfortable enough in, what with all the Aspie-unfriendly social interactions off the scale, and the overly ritualistic tone most services set. I love God, and I am a Christian. I have felt very close to God most of my life, but I've rarely felt close to churchgoers. Church is just not much of a place for Aspies to function well in, to be blunt. Just like in society in general, there are too many ulterior motives and false friendlinesses there for an Aspie to sift through and recognize, much less willingly endure. So, no, I don't go to church. I feel no influence from God to do so either. Church's purpose, biblically, is to strengthen each other's faith. My faith remains strong for the most part, and when it dips, God works it out with me one-on-one.

People don't occupy the church-- people are the church.

Really? Doesn't sound like it. Sounds like you're too precious to actually participate in the church experience. I am totally going to call you out on this.

You're calling someone out on the religion thing?? I'm shocked!

I know that, obviously. You're taking the phrasing rigidly literally, only this time you're clearly doing it on purpose.

Whatever.

But folks, slowmutant's comment above is a good example of why I don't like some religious people, and therefore don't bother attending church. He's going to "call me out", like he has some kind of power hanging over me. Please...

It was partially the Christians that drove me away from Christianity. There is the whole "know them by their fruits" thing Matthew something. I figured if I was going to be a fruit I didn't want to be so sour.

Sometimes you look at who is on the same side as you and decide to switch sides.

Ragtime, I apologize for the tone of those last posts, but I believe my point is a valid one.

I went as a child out of mortal fear of burning for an eternity in hell if I didn't. I was pretty gullible as a child and I believed all than nonsense.
But now I am a lot older and wiser I usually only go when there is a wedding or funeral on with the odd christening thrown in

Nowadays we're supposed to equate going to church with being a good person. But going to church doesn't make you a good person-- it just means you go to church.




The More You Know ...

I am also a qualified pastor. The church where I got my diploma was actually a complete opposite of what I loathed in churches. Even though it was massive I was never left to feel inadequate or like I did not fit in. Granted, a lot of the more traditional churches have congregants which feel threatened by anybody not like them. A concerted effort was made to get me top allow some more recent congrgants to "council" asperger's out of me, as it is not normal.My response is simple, I am normal, just my kind of normal.

Also in terms of the ministers, they are often required to be psychologists and such by people. this does not mean they like doing it, or that it is in any way their choice. Even I was approached often to do some lay psychology. Most of them did not return too often......not sure if they were cured or what. I think a good church is a good place for aspie's to feel belonging, and to actually practice to relate to the non-gifted NT's out there.

How did you become a pastor?

I ask because I might go that route one day.

Nope.

Social gatherings aren't my thing.