Believes in God but dislikes church
by Ken Fast, Newton, Kan.
For several years my faith in Christ has been hanging by a thread. I believe in God but dislike going to church. Sunday mornings my body is in a pew, but my mind is elsewhere. Bible reading only makes things worse, as the Christ in Scripture does not match the image portrayed in church or society. The church system is designed to offer a safe, nurturing community—stable and predictable. The mission is to make people feel comfortable and safe—especially longtime members.
Studies I’ve read show women and seniors gravitate toward these things. Feminine spirituality dominates our churches, and this makes it difficult for a man to be real in church. He must watch his language, mind his manners and be extra polite. To me it is intimidating and out of place to hold hands, singing music that is expressed in romantic words.
Many men I know avoid regular church attendance because they see it as a woman thing. I read a recent statistic that 13 million more adult women than men are in American churches on Sunday morning. Is it my fault that I feel out of place as a man in church on Sunday morning?
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