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Do you find it difficult to attend religious services of a faith other than your own?

What if you are house guests of relatives that belong to a very different faith than yours, and it comes to the time of week that they always go to worship? Do you attend out of politeness and respect, or do you refuse? If you go, do you feel uncomfortable?
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thebandit
thebandit
Marked as Best! November 09, 2009 10:06 PM
I'm an agnostic, so pretty much all religious services would qualify as services for a faith other than my own. I don't even know what an agnostic religious service would look like. A service would kind of defeat the point, no?

That said, I do feel fairly uncomfortable at these services. Apart from it being a gathering of strangers who have one major thing not in common with me, when I start to listen to the words, most of the time, they exclude me by design. It's where the phrase "preaching to the choir" comes from, after all. And if you aren't part of the choir, where are you?

If I was house guests with people and happened to be in the house at that time, I'd go, but in the future I'd try not to be a guest there when they're going to services, whenever that might be. They'd eventually notice that I don't look comfortable, and that'd damage our relationship more than simply declining to stay over at those times would.
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atlas
atlas
November 08, 2009 06:40 PM
Not particularly, everything is pretty much the same despite the religion, people believing in some particular belief system with a set of dogmatic rituals. Accompanied by the usual hodgepodge of so called reflection, usually a moral lesson is focused on, a sense of community gathering, possibly music. When you break it down religion is pretty much the same throughout.
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bartmoffet...
bartmoffet...
November 08, 2009 07:03 PM
I have no problem with attending worship of friends, family, or in general - those of another faith. I am very strict in my own beliefs and cling to them tightly, however, I find visiting worship of other faiths to be eye opening and educational. If I am a guest I do attend their worship as a measure of respect and for my own personal growth. Sometimes I am uncomfortable with the different worship service. Anytime one steps out of their own familiar way of worship it can be very difficult. Like any challenge or difficulty, I push through for the end benefit...education, appreciation from host, etc.
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annelisle
annelisle
November 09, 2009 12:15 AM
I am a Roman Catholic and I don't find it hard to visit other churches or attend other worship services. When I was in the US, I worked in a small city in Nebraska and I am not yet familiar with the place. A co-worker of mine brought me to their church and I feel welcomed and comfortable. I believe that God does not dwell on churches but in the hearts of men. I think the experience made me more open, I believe that there are many types of or forms of religions and I have respect for all of them and what's important is we all believe in one God.
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rspears01
rspears01
November 09, 2009 12:59 AM
Absolutely not. I have no issue attending any religious function at all. Anyone who is secure with their own beliefs and practices should never be put off by the personal religious beliefs of others.

Attending a religious service is a cultural learning and I see it as just that. I welcome the opportunity to learn and experience and I appreciate the honor of being welcomed and invited into such a special and personal space.
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unwirklich
unwirklich
November 09, 2009 03:22 AM
I was actually forced to attend catholic summer school and church every single day as a child because my step-grand father felt I had "the devil in my eyes". He was not a kind man, he was a preacher, he is dead, and i am glad. There was a time because of his behavior that I was very hateful towards any religious group/person that came to my home in an attempt to preach their faith. I was brutal, in my ability to debase a persons faith by any means necessary. I remember in my teen years actually putting people into tears.

Later I realized I was being foolish. I was being no better than the wrinkly old man I had so much anger for, and worse I was proving him right even if I don't believe in the devil, evil is evil. So I started researching other faiths for more reason than proving them all hogwash and I found myself an Odinist. :)

So long speal short, now I would have no issue sitting through another faiths religious service. I now see them all more from a historic point of view than a religious one.
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gno
gno
November 09, 2009 03:40 AM
I don't find it comfortable to attend, and I would decline to attend with a guest (but I would give them driving directions!).

One part of it is an issue of respect. I want to show other peoples' faiths total respect, and sitting in on a service that is so very personal and soul connecting, I feel like I take away from that. I feel like I am intruding on something very personal.

Another part of the issue is a personal problem that I full cop to. I always have a slight paranoia about other faiths trying to convert others. So even though the religious service or parishioners may in NO WAY try to convert me or get me to believe...I still *worry* about it. It's my own issue. But there it is.

So I would definitely support any guests attending a service, but the only reason I'll involve myself with a different faith is for weddings and funerals. ;)
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marisaupa
marisaupa
November 09, 2009 03:44 AM
I'm Catholic, I have no problem at all attending religious services of other Christian denominations or faiths. By my recollection I have attended a Baptist service, an Adventist service, a Methodist service and I have also attended Jewish services.

I usually come out of these experiences impressed by the commonality between us all. In a way it's heart warming.
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silverhamm...
silverhamm...
November 09, 2009 07:31 AM
I think too much so when something is being discussed or shared that is incongruous with the source material they use I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I ask questions. So I don't get asked much to go. :)

But I don't have a problem attending as long as I'm not required to participate in rituals intended for members only.
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mario2001
mario2001
November 09, 2009 10:00 AM
Hi ,
The question is very good , like it.
Believing is the key to peace and hope. It's better to relax and consider that all of us can part of the whole.
The more you respect other's opinion when comes to it you gain more respect.
do you want they'll disappear from your life?
do you want to leave alone?
the bets of every community is the power to share
In fact we all should make them realize that we're all the same.
I usually meet people that look the same and act the same but believe in a different way,but in the same power.
-why I'll put myself higher
Cheers
I hope it helps everyone
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moonshadow
moonshadow
November 09, 2009 03:38 PM
No. I find them amazingly beautiful and interesting if you approach them with an air of curiousity and interest.
When I was in college, my roommate invited me to attend Mass with her one Sunday (I was raised Baptist) and we attended at a church where Mass was performed in Spanish and English. It was still reverent and prayerful.
I've also been able to attend Wiccan rites and dozens of other services of various denominations. While I amy not always agree with every bit of the worship service, I find it an exercise of intellectual stimulation and one that remidns me how glad I am to live where we can freely exercise our religious beliefs, even when they seem different or strange.
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cheapgamer
cheapgamer
November 09, 2009 03:57 PM
I do feel uncomfortable at these services.

I feel that a service is a place for people of the faith, I feel a bit unwelcome in churches in temples or churches due to this. When possible I avoid church services, politely refusing most services, however I will attend weddings and funerals.
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