How often do you attend religious ceremonies or events?

[MichaelCorfman]

I frequently look through recent posts to get ideas for questions. This week I noticed the post grem made in the fun diversions section titled "When was the last time you have been to church?" That thread (www.gpwa.org/forum/when-last-time-you-have-been-church-202644.html) was certainly different than what I expected. It was an article about a scuffle that broke out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.

Besides giving me pause, the article got me thinking about the role of religious holidays today and my own personal feeling that religious holidays seem less religious to me today than they did when I was growing up. So I decided it would be interesting to ask, at this time of year when many religious holidays are celebrated, the extent to which GPWA members celebrate religious holidays by attending religious ceremonies or not, and how that differs from the rest of the year.

Michael

[Renee]

I voted infrequently. Actually I probably should have voted never or rarely ever.
The only ones I ever attend are christenings, weddings and funerals. They don't happen very often these days

[baldidiot]

I'm not religious in the slightest (despite my dad being a vicar...) so if it were up to me it would be never, except for the occasional church wedding or funeral. My in laws however are very religious and my wife ends up dragging me (begrudgingly) to a service on Christmas eve with her family.

[Smoking]

only for weddings, funerals , maybe a baptism . thats about it !

[hakank]

Ah.. Know I understand the question..

Christenings, Weddings and Funerals. That's it.

[Monica]

Wedding was the last I recall and I rarely make it to church much to be honest.... I remember the last time I talked to a priest was for the baptism of my niece and he gave me a real hard time because I was not married at the time, just "livin in sin", he didnt allow me to be the godmother because of it.... after than one I just tend to stay away from the gown, if I need to talk to God I dont really need to go to a church.

[Chips]

I go to services almost weekly. I actually feel better when regularly attending. It is an important part of my life.

[ocreditor]

I voted never or almost never. Weddings and funerals are the only religious ceremonies that I go to. And more and more people are having civil wedding ceremonies. I agree that in general, holidays are becoming less and less religious and more about well, sad to say it, buying stuff.

[LuckyLizzy]

Growing up I went to church twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. Now I go maybe on Easter Sunday. Our family still reads from the Bible on Christmas and prays but when I asked my kids what the meaning of Christmas is, you can probably guess what they say... presents!!

I wouldn't be completely shocked if most kids didn't really know how Christmas came to be.

[topboss]

I only attend church for weddings, funerals and christenings. I got quite anti the church when I couldn't find one who would christen my daughter because I don't attend church. I do believe in God and live by the 10 commandments but simply don't feel that I need to attend church to believe.

[Zoorana]

Same here, just for weddings and funerals basically. The last one i went to was a church for a friend's wedding but that was a few years back. I remembered how surprised some elderly were when i said i haven't got a religion giving me that look like i haven't got a belief or something. It is quite appalling to be judged for not being religious.

My idea is simple, i respect that you've got a religion and you should respect me for not having one.

[Anthony]

I go to services almost weekly. I actually feel better when regularly attending. It is an important part of my life.

Same thing here. Looks like it's just you and me, surrounded by our heathen friends...LOL

[topboss]

Same thing here. Looks like it's just you and me, surrounded by our heathen friends...LOL

Too funny

[Crazyrewards-Maria]

I used to attend religious ceremonies with my family all the time when I was little; nowadays I only go to very close friends and family’s weddings, baptisms or funerals.

[Integrity]

Religion is a system implemented by man, not God. It's been used by men for things God never intended. But I don't confuse the word "religion" with my personal relationship with God.

While I believe it's true that you don't have to go to church to know God, for me it's a sign of dedication to something greater than myself... a way to show appreciation for the many blessings in my life... a way to learn more about, and be mindful of, my faith each week... and a time to socialize with like-minded people. There are times when I would like to sleep in on Sunday. Heck, I wanna sleep in most every Sunday! LOL! But my commitment to God and my beliefs are as important to me as my family and job... so I show up.

This is not a judgement on anyone who chooses not to go to church or mass or synagogue or mosque. Everyone decides their own path. I just wanted to say why I feel the way I do, because it's imperative that I have no shame in my beliefs... even in societies "me first" version of the modern world.

[michael1981]

I'm trying to attend church more these days, but I usually go when there is a wedding, funeral, baptism, or religious holiday such as Easter or Christmas. We have a really nice cathedral where I live, so it makes it more enjoyable to attend church

[Billy2012]

I'm trying to attend church more these days

[Nodepositworld]

When I was a kid I use to go to Sunday School each week but then I discovered hockey. I was a pretty epic goalie and played every Sunday. A lady from the church came to my house one week and told my mom it was important to have me continue to attend Sunday school and my moms reply was that it was my choice and I had decided on hockey. Good one mom!
Now I do not attend anything other than weddings.

[bonusbetting]

I'm not a believer. However, I have great respect for plenty of very good religious people. There are also plenty of very good people who aren't religious, and plenty of bad people on both sides.

In fact I'm pretty sure there's good and bad in everyone.

I can see that people can get great comfort and meaning in their lives from having a faith and I'm actually jealous.
However, I'm someone who needs evidence, and there's nothing I've seen so far that could convince me.

I'm willing to change my mind on this - but my big problem is that religion doesn't really allow for changing your mind.