Nonbelievers at Sunday service. What's the point?

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What’s the point, you ask? How about this?

They might become believers.
 
My husband is Buddhist and will occasionally attend Mass with our daughter and me. He comes for pretty much the same reason your husband does. He loves me and recognizes it as important to me.
 
It could be scandalous if he were a well known Catholic and went and prayed at a Mosque, but he stated he was an atheist so there would be no concern about it. Someone who is not Muslim (has not made the Shahada) can still pray at a mosque and even do so in the same manner as a expressed Muslim.
 
I attended Mass for nearly a year, while I was an atheist, I was curious about faith, as in, why others had it and I did not.

Sitting in a church service is not disrespectful when the intention is not. Being a nonbeliever is not in itself mockery. Standing up and walking out every time you attend, at the same, certain point, is. The latter, we had a whole group of people doing, for several months. I have no idea if they were atheists or from another other religion, but they were definitely attending for the purpose of mocking the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 
redbaron162 said:
It could be scandalous if he were a well known Catholic and went and prayed at a Mosque, but he stated he was an atheist so there would be no concern about it. Someone who is not Muslim (has not made the Shahada) can still pray at a mosque and even do so in the same manner as a expressed Muslim.
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I would have thought that being an atheist would cause much more consternation than being a Christian. It is the same God.

In some mosques I have visited (Turkey and Morocco for example) I was asked not to enter during prayers. I think that asking to pray would have led to a lot of questions about my sincerity.
 
maryjk said:
When my non-believer husband attends Mass with me, he reinforces his love for me. And continues to commit himself to our relationship.
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I hope this is how my Catholic wife sees me when I attend Mass with her. (Which I do every Sunday.)

I also “go through the motions.” I stand, sit, and kneel when everyone else does, though I do not cross myself, genuflect, or present myself for Communion. I try very hard not to be a distraction to others, and nobody has ever even hinted that I was not welcome. In fact, most probably don’t even realize that I am not Catholic. Those that do don’t seem to care.
Irishmom2 said:
I think that it is just a way of being supportive to a spouse…
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Yes, that’s my reason for attending Mass.
 
HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?
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I don’t really understand how this question can even come up. I thought we wanted everyone we could possibly get, to come to Mass. As long as they are dressed anywhere near modestly, and do not dishonor the liturgy by bad behavior, being in this fount of grace for an hour is the best possible place they could be.

I understand the persecution and secrecy of the early church, but we are not in those times, so this doesn’t apply to us.
 
The question can come up when a non-believer is invited (perhaps even by their spouse) to attend mass.
 
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I attended mass off and on for 20 years with my wife. I was a non-believer but I would go with her just to show support for her, and show that what was important to her was important to me. After 20 years of that I heard the call of the Holy Spirit, and was baptized 2 years ago at Easter.
 
I would be happy to see an atheist in church because it means they’re questioning their own faith .I pray that they are questioning it,and pray that they do ask Christ to come into their life.
That’s how I see it…To me it is a good sign
 
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ChuckB said:
I also “go through the motions.” I stand, sit, and kneel when everyone else does, though I do not cross myself, genuflect, or present myself for Communion. I try very hard not to be a distraction to others, and nobody has ever even hinted that I was not welcome. In fact, most probably don’t even realize that I am not Catholic. Those that do don’t seem to care.
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I’m not Catholic and pretty much do the same as you, except I don’t kneel. I do have one question though… Can I ask where you’re at geographically?

In all honesty (especially to those who know I’ve had a rough time) my wife’s parish has gotten better, but I’ve had a few instances where I’ve been made to feel pretty unwelcome. I’m wondering if it’s a geographical thing or a person/people thing as I learned it isn’t supposed to be church wide.
 
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HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?
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What do you mean by “bringing?” Unless they’re being dragged kicking and screaming, the non-believers in this case, for whatever reason, are accepting an invitation. That’s an act of free will; they could have just as easily said no and stayed home. Whether they’re going to spend time with family, appease a spouse, or inquire about Catholicism is not for any of us to judge.
 
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The heathens must eventually be brought to kneel to our Holy Lady Most High, Mother Church, and of course to her Holy Spouse, Jesus.

Why not bring them to where He and She are present, the Holy Mass? They must be gently, but firmly, banned from receiving His Sacred Body though. Or else it’ll create scandal.
 
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HerCrazierHalf said:
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.
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You don’t have to go through any motions if you don’t believe; it is not disrespectful to sit quietly and stand when the congregation stands; and kneeling is up to you. But you don’t have to do any of the responses if you don’t want to, or make the sign of the cross or anything like that.
 
blackforest said:
What do you mean by “bringing?” Unless they’re being dragged kicking and screaming, the non-believers in this case, for whatever reason, are accepting an invitation . That’s an act of free will;
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Marriage is about compromise. I don’t wanna go, she wants but you go. Therefore I go sometimes and not go other times. Marriage “brings” me there in that I wouldn’t attend if she isn’t attending.
 
Apologies - I didn’t realize this thread was about your personal situation. In that case, it’s admirable that you’re meeting her halfway. You’re still attending church with her of your own free will, even if it’s hard to say no to your Better Half, but you’re making a good decision.

I’ll get back to your original question:
HerCrazierHalf said:
What is to be accomplished by bringing a nonbeliever to mass (or Sunday service)?
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Use it as an opportunity to learn more about her beliefs and how they’re influenced. It’s an eye-opening way to get to know your life partner. If you’re marriage is healthy enough to handle hot-button but civil discussions, use it as a springboard for discussion, “Father SoAndSo said X and Y during his homily. Do you agree with him?”

The other posters covered well for you the proper etiquette for guests like you who are not of her faith.

I’ve actually come to be fascinated - from a dispassionate but curious way - with the different beliefs that people had. You can learn a lot about different faiths without committing to them.
 
I’m not American but have friends and family who are. I am well aware of certain unique occasions they hold dear- like 4th of July or Thanksgiving - and if invited enjoy celebrating these with them out of love for them.

I participate where I can. For example I would respectfully stand for the US national anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance, although I wouid not sing the anthem or recite the Pledge.

I imagine a lot of non-Catholics attend Mass in the same spirit.
 
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