Hi,

Does believing in God really makes a diference you asked. [smile] As much as I would love to answer this one for you, I will hold off on it for a bit, because you stated you are 'just christian I guess' [smile]. Therefore, within you the answer to that question is truly known.

I have faith in knowing there is a creator of the heavens and earth as well.

I am not a denomination nor do I fellowship with any religious groups.

Church as I understand can be a coming together of individuals adults/children at any place pretty much, to understand the word of God, worship with songs of praise and sometimes sharing a meal together, and uplifting one another in one accord as we press on through the trials and tribulations of this life.

When you choose to meet with others who are thirsting for God desiring to live in obedience to his words daily you will be doing this for your soul. Let this be the TOP reason. Friendship or something other can waver and you will not want this to determine whether you stay or leave a gathering.

As for dress code, discretion is to be used. In such a setting where male and female are meeting together. Certainly a female wearing something for example provocative and showing enough boobs and pelvic areas can be a flciker for male arousal..therefore one can suggest comfortable clothing that do not draw unneccesarily attention to yourself.

And expectations of some who think one ought to know the bible inside/out, don't let that grip you in fear...that's why you are meeting to learn the word. This is not about showing ..oh look, I know my bible from Genesis to Revelation and from Revelation to Genesis,and throwing scriptures.

Don't allow anyone to undermine that which you know. Seek after righteousness and to grow in the Lord, that's your focus. You will be best read to embrace the friendships that follows.

[Hugs]

p.s You know when some refer to the church they attend, they are not always speaking of the traditional church you may go to. Ask and check it out.

I am sorry that you have had some bad experiences but remember I lifes are never perfect. If that is what was expected in your church you were in the wrong church. I know it has helped me tremendously because I have a great support group from my church.

Jerneal, very eloquently said.
I'm not religious, but I am very spiritual and could not imagine my life without God.
God is love and he created you and knows everything about you. No one is perfect and that is why He sent his Son to die for us.
Strive to be the best you possible and when you read your bible, ask God to reveal His word to you and He will.
God's love for you is unlimited and you will be led to the right church. Just ask Him for anything according to His will and He will give it to you.

I'm going to reply as the friendly neighborhood atheist.

The benefit from church is the support structure you have (maybe). I am actually asking a friends ministry group for assistance (at my friend's insistence), as a atheist. If they practice what they preach it shouldn't matter who needs help. I meet with the member next week.

If you get something positive from church, go. If you don't, don't.

A more "moderate" type church is the Unitarian Universalism church. They accept all people, even atheists. You can find a congregation here: http://www.uua.org/CONG/index.php

I'm an athiest too and I find it really bizarre that so called Christians can look down on someone for not dressing right or understanding something that they do. Shouldn't they accept everyone for who they are? The quote "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" and the story of the Good Samaritan spring to mind. That kind of hypocrisy is wrong - even to an athiest!!

Does it make a difference? It's different for different people because it depends on what you believe. I draw a big line between personal spirituality and organized religion. Don't confuse the two. For me it makes a big difference because if nothing else, it gives me hope, especially during the hard times.

While I believe that going to church so you can be part of a larger community helps your growth in your faith, the problem is that church is still full of people and people have faults. Just in the same way that you can argue and dislike certain personalities in your family, you can find disagreeable people in church too. But the point is that a true church will be like an extended family that will stick by you no matter what.

i know how it is to be part of a church group that looks down at you for your clothing or being an outsider. I have even been to one where the priest made fun of some of his followers who opened their doors to him so that he could have special masses in their home!!

My ex also didnt help, as he was a "christian soldier" yet he treated me alot worse than most of the other people i had ever known (being non believers). This had made my walk in faith rather shaky, as yes i do believe in god but on the other hand look at how some of the "children of christ" treats others!!

I do believe that going to church itself makes me feel more at peace, if i dont get to hung up on outside politics.

I for one do not attend church because I have had it shoved down my throat and its called the cure all. The churches I have been to have been the same, they preach one thing but do another. So, I choose not to participate in a denominational church. I am a very spiritual person and I do believe in god and I choose to worship him in my own way. Hes helped me become what I am today.

I lost faith almost twenty years ago, and while I'm open to the idea of finding it again, I'm also fine with things the way they are. As far as church goes, you do not have to go to a church to worship god. God will be wherever you are, church or no church. Don't feel like you have to be involved with one to have faith. And anyone who looks down on you isn't being very christian, right? Pay no attention to them. Having faith isn't about how someone else sees you, it's about how you feel about god. Don't let anyone dissuade you from finding your own way.