Nonbelievers at Sunday service. What's the point?

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HerCrazierHalf

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In another thread many posters suggested the atheist OP attend mass. Some adult nonbelievers occasionally attend services with their spouse.

What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?

I myself am rather puzzled. I understand the concepts behind what’s supposedly happening, but not how my presence is beneficial to them or me.
 
Not all atheists are created equal. The ones I know are hard-core and would never set foot in a Church but I can see how others might for any numbers of reasons including curiosity, doubt, research, among others.
 
I think that it is just a way of being supportive to a spouse in some instances. It is difficult to attend mass alone all the time if a spouse is atheist, or even if they are Catholic but don’t attend mass. They sit in mass alone or with their kids while they see others with their spouse and/or families. I liken it to attending a concert or a movie you don’t like, but you know your spouse wants you to go, so you do. If even just once in a while.
 
It takes the Holy Spirit only one word - sometimes a single syllable - to convict a soul of sin and of God’s forgiveness.
 
And who knows? Maybe you will get something out of it—maybe a sentence that you find interesting, or maybe you see an interaction between people that affects you.
You never can tell where inspiration may come from 🙂
 
Irishmom2 said:
I liken it to attending a concert or a movie you don’t like, but you know your spouse wants you to go, so you do. If even just once in a while.
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Something like that. Just seems odd as it means walking a thin line between mocking the faith of others (going through motions u don’t believe which have specific meanings) or seeming rude by not participating.
Dan_Defender said:
The ones I know are hard-core and would never set foot in a Church
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I haven’t burst into flames yet. :crossed_fingers: 😆
 
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I don’t think you really need to go through any motions you don’t believe. Just do what you can believe, listening, not mocking, greeting people at the sign of peace perhaps. I would think there could be nuggets of good thought in the readings or on something the priest says in his homily at times, whether you are Catholic or not. Share those small moments with a spouse and that creates understanding and goodwill.
 
HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?
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Maybe salvation of their soul!
Weren’t we all nonbelievers at some point? Why did we go to Mass or Sunday service? Why did the crowds gather to hear Jesus teach?
 
Scripture says, “My Word will not return void.”
God’s Word is proclaimed at every Mass. It is true that some Catholics do attend Mass simply as a matter of social convention. I had a parish priest who lament the reality that many young people used the Sacrament of Confirmation as a form of graduation, instead of what it truly is, part of the Initiation process.
We never know how God is working in a person’s life.
As the unbelieving spouse, joined to the believing spouse hears the Word of God proclaimed at Mass, and sees the believing spouse put into practice what is heard, there is always the possibility of conversion.
To attend Mass is always by invitation. As scripture says to the believing spouse “How do you know that you will not save your unbelieving spouse?”
 
I have been to churches for funerals and weddings. In which case I have no problem joining in the singing - but I skip any prayers.

But I wouldn’t attend any specifically Christian services. If asked, I would politely refuse. As I would if I were asked to attend a mosque or synagogue.
 
Interesting question. The early Christians did not permit non-believers, and indeed, anyone who was not baptised, to attend their services. They first urged people to change their lives in practical ways, and then the they would be able to understand the word of God.

That said, I often take non-believers to church simply so they can see how a Christian lives. The hope is that God speaks to them.
 
HerCrazierHalf said:
It means walking a thin line between mocking the faith of others (going through motions u don’t believe which have specific meanings) or seeming rude by not participating.
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I agree that’s a serious consideration and it means one has to behave with care, but it’s not an impossible task. I find joining the singing has to be done to avoid seeming rude (and anyway I enjoy singing); standing when others stand; bowing the head when others are in prayer … it can be handled so as not to give offence and not to blaspheme in the way you suggest.

Mind you, most of the Church services I attend are Church of England, where I have certain rights as an Englishman in my national church. So in addition to weddings and funerals there are community services like the Remembrance Day Act where people of all denominations and none can be present.
 
HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?

I myself am rather puzzled. I understand the concepts behind what’s supposedly happening, but not how my presence is beneficial to them or me.
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You never know what might happen. A seed could be planted for an eventual conversion. Something said or experienced might be a comfort to them. Maybe they could just learn more about what their spouse, friends or family experience at Mass.
 
I attended Mass a few months ago. I dressed respectfully, bowed and kneeled with others, did not sing as I don’t know the songs and bowed my head while others prayed. I discussed my curiosity to see a Mass and was greatly encouraged by fellow CAF members. I enjoyed it though no moving of the spirit occurred.

In a million years, I did not consider my actions maybe construed as blasphemous! I hope no one was offended. Would the same possibilities occur at Adoration as I was thinking of observing an hour there during scheduled times?
 
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Sometimes non-believers belong to religious communities because even if they don’t believe the religion is actually “real”, they think the community and the moral education it provides are beneficial.

I don’t quite get the reasoning, but I’ve heard people say that, anyway.
 
If you’re not acting disrespectfully or thinking blasphemous or disrespectful thoughts, you are welcome to come to Mass and Adoration.

The early Christians had good reasons to keep nonbelievers out of their services. Their church was controversial and often it was being kept on the downlow to avoid persecution. They didn’t want a bunch of looky-loos who weren’t from their community dropping in just to see how those crazy Christians did their rituals, for curiosity or entertainment or worst of all to get some dirt on them to take back to possible enemies.

Nowadays, in most countries today, Catholics don’t have these problems, so the church doors are open to all who behave themselves while at Mass or Adoration. The exception might be certain Adoration chapels where, for security reasons, you need a security code or some special procedure, like your name being on a list, to enter. If you go during daylight hours you can likely find a chapel that is open to the public but it would be good if you followed the visitor sign-in procedure that most chapels have.

There is nothing at all wrong with a non-believer sitting respectfully in the presence of God. Who knows, God may touch his heart.
 
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Pattylt said:
In a million years, I did not consider my actions maybe construed as blasphemous!
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They shouldn’t be construed that way. From what you wrote it sounds as though you were trying your best to be respectful of our customs.
 
HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?
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When my non-believer husband attends Mass with me, he reinforces his love for me. And continues to commit himself to our relationship.

Although I pray for his conversion, I have no illusion that he is there because he believes.
 
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