Hellobee Boards Topic: Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Is there such a thing as a non-religious church? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:56:51 +0000 Mama2Cakes on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161606 Thu, 17 May 2012 14:14:42 +0000 Mama2Cakes 161606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Rotary Clubs are genarally like this, although lots of churches are associated with Rotary, but I don't think they use God or religion as a defining value. yoursilverlining on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161578 Thu, 17 May 2012 13:45:35 +0000 yoursilverlining 161578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ There are groups like the Junior League that focus on volunteer service. There are also tons of local groups you can join on meetup.org that organize volunteer works, and all sorts of things. As an athiest, I don't really think there are non-religious churches. Even the UU is still religious, even if much more inclusive than most other churches. Mrs. Stroller on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161429 Thu, 17 May 2012 12:30:44 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 161429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @jessiejo17: I'm not sure if this is entirely the case (not being a religion that believes in God). The UU church I belonged to celebrates the birth of Christ and the resurrection at Christmas and Easter services. Plus, sermons are often tied to the Bible. God is not taught to be a "man" and you're free to interpret the higher power as you wish. I know that my UU church taught that Jesus as the son of God, however, it was never a literal son. Essentially it's a Christian based religion with teachings that are loose enough to leave lots of room for individual interpretation. All that being said, it's been at least 15 years since I've attended regularly and the UU church could have very well changed their focus in that time! Mrs. Stroller on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161415 Thu, 17 May 2012 12:22:45 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 161415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was raised a UU and they focus a lot on charitable work in the community and elsewhere. Some of the churches are very left in terms of political affiliation of its members, which can be a little off-putting in an election year, if you're not entirely on the same page. Some churches are very crunchy, but others are not, you just have to find one that you feel comfortable with. As for the religion part, it's open to all denominations, you believe whatever resonates with you. My particular church had hymn books and we did a lot of singing during services. I loved it! Honeybee on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161406 Thu, 17 May 2012 12:12:26 +0000 Honeybee 161406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Some communities have atheist community services that are similar to what you're describing; you might be able to find one by googling your neighborhood. We also have a "spitirual" church in my community; it's is spiritually, but not religiously based, if that makes sense. They incorporate things from a wide range of religions/philosophies and accept people of all faiths. Kinda like Universalists, but a lot more hippy/crunchy, lol. mrs. bird on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161360 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:28:28 +0000 mrs. bird 161360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ DH belongs to a unitarian universalist church (aka one of those non denominational churches). there are a lot of people that go there that do not believe in a god. they have groups that get together to do good deeds around the community & on occasion travel to work on larger volunteer projects. his has a food pantry in it where we volunteer. they do not subscribe to any doctrine other than their core beliefs (copied from uua.org website): There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. @MamaMoose: a lot of people find as they get older they don't agree with parts of the religion they have grown up with, but feel that faith and spirituality is still important to them. nondenominational churches allow for everyone to maintain their own beliefs & allows for exploration into different religions without the judgement that there is one correct set of beliefs. scripture, from all different religions, can contain wonderful life lessons- even if we don't agree with the religion is originates as a whole set of beliefs. going to church allows people to spend time reflecting, sharing ideas & beliefs, and focusing on living a good life. church is also a social/community experience, a place where you share your joys and sorrows and seek the support of others. everyone who belongs to any church has found a purpose for it. one purpose can simply be that it gives them a place to belong, that alone can be a powerful thing. cheesetomywhine on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161353 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:23:35 +0000 cheesetomywhine 161353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I go to a Unitarian Universalist Church. I haven't been in awhile though. We're allowed to believe whatever we choose. There are still sermons but they do not focus on one thing in particular and beliefs are not forced. Also we just have hymn books rather than bibles or another type of scripture. mrs. wagon on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161346 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:19:51 +0000 mrs. wagon 161346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've heard great things about Unitarian Universalist churches! LuLu Mom on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161343 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:18:35 +0000 LuLu Mom 161343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We have a church in our area Unitarian Universalist that I know a few members of, that are allowed to believe what they want to invididually believe but overall it is about self improvement and community service. Not based around a religion or God. DillonLion on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161292 Thu, 17 May 2012 10:51:36 +0000 DillonLion 161292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did a program called Discovery - that matches your description. <a href="http://www.discovery-training.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.discovery-training.com/</a> The original course is one weekend, for three consecutive months. And then you graduate. Many of the graduates return each month for the Saturday night party or to volunteers with the program. MamaMoose on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161291 Thu, 17 May 2012 10:51:19 +0000 MamaMoose 161291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't think it would be called "church" any more if it wasn't centered around religion. I personally don't even get the non-denominational churches that have started to become popular recently. But I think there are definitely still ways to get involved in your community. For example I have a friend who is a part of a group of women here in Nashville that are all former sorority members (from different sororities) they plan talks and lectures for the group as well as planning community service and philanthropy events. mrbee on "Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-non-religious-church#post-161283 Thu, 17 May 2012 10:45:59 +0000 mrbee 161283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Are there non-religious groups where people go regularly and work on self-improvement and do good deeds? I've always wondered about this... the closest thing I've seen is clubs for old retired people, like the Elks or the Lions. Is there such a thing as a non-religious church?