I am an Atheist and always have been.

[gruntlabor]

Sorry, but you are not making sense. Science is not a person, nor a group of persons.

Science is a body of knowledge, verifiable facts and theories. Scientists follow a process referred to as the scientific method. Scientists argue with each other until it becomes incontestable which theory is the most plausible. Even then if new data/evidence is discovered, accepted thories can be abandoned or modified in the light of new knowledge.

It has been thus since the Middle Ages. Back then science was called Natural Philosophy.

Are we to play word games? Science, politics, education, medicine, law --all are represented by institutions filled with people and their disciplines.

 

[rbtvgo]

My favorite is when and if they have members get up and do testimony. Not many do I think. I love hearing those
personal stories and how it effected them. I think when the sermon is really hitting close to something you are going through
or grateful about at the time, you focus in a bit better. In so doing that, if the next sermon doesn't catch your focus you can bet
it does for someone else.
To be honest the main thing that will turn me off of a church is if they have strong cliques that leave
you out of being a part of a project. I had that happen at two I was trying out to see if I felt they were the one.
All churches don't fit for every one and they sure aren't the same even if they carry the same name.
My family didn't attend church, none since moving to California in the 1940s. I am the only one that has attended regularly when
I found the one that helped me with love, compassion and acceptance. I keep Him with me everyday, I need Him every day to block
that other voice whispering in the other ear. You know what I mean Sometimes I fail but it's not long before I know it.

I reread your message and thought about it. Your experience is no different than mine. When you go to any church you are entering a new door, so to speak. You don't know them, they don't know you. You are an outsider so to speak. It takes time for any relationships to establish. The main issue is whether or not the Message and the pastor speak to your heart. If they do then it is good.
We go to church, primarily to worship God. I have passed on so many Sundays and I feel uncomfortable going yet I know I should and I know the Lord wants me to. So I go.
The thing that strikes me about the church I attend, is that the pastor will always find me and come and greet me. Means a lot. His messages always reaches my heart and makes me think. My involvement is up to me at this point. To be frank, your message, that I am responding to, makes me realize that, OUR problem is much the same. Friendships take time but if you find comfort in the church then continue. The rest the Lord will work out. Attend some functions, bible studies. Meet people. We are all basically the same. Bogged down with past experiences, fears and disbelief about anything that seems good and the thought of extending yourself once again is not something you want to do.
But the fact is that you have no options in the matter. You have to or live in fear and regret.
My apologies if I get too strong. I just speak what I feel. Your issue is no different than my issue . I wish you well.
bob

 

[Warrigal]

Are we to play word games? Science, politics, education, medicine, law --all are represented by institutions filled with people and their disciplines.

No word games on my part. I have a BSc from Macquarie University in Sydney and was a teacher of science and mathematics for 35 years. I have also taught scripture to Sunday School children and religious education classes in a catholic school for teen age girls under the direction of the Sisters of St Joseph.

If it is word game you want, try this. I place my faith and trust in God, try to follow the teachings of Jesus to the best of my ability and rely on people of science to carry out the scientific method in the fields of medicine, engineering, agriculture, and meteorology, to name but a few fields where scientific knowledge is useful and important.

 

[AutumnGal]

I do have to laugh at meteorology. They can't get that even close to right to this day lol.

No offense to anyone, I just have to laugh. I'll trust looking out the window more.