missmuffet Posted July 5, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,992 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,689 Content Per Day: 11.79 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted July 5, 2013 http://www.christianpost.com/news/researchers-ritual-atheists-and-agnostics-could-be-sitting-next-to-you-in-church-99373/ In a new study of the various types of nonbelievers, researchers from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga say "one of the most interesting and unexpected" types they examined is the "ritual" atheist or agnostic, who finds some value in religious teachings and practices. Those who fall into this category, according to the researchers, are nonbelievers who may have a philosophical appreciation for certain religious teachings, who like being part of a community, who want to stay in touch with their ethnic identity or who simply find beauty in certain religious traditions, symbols or rituals. "The implication of this particular typology is that you could be sitting next to somebody in church right now who may, in fact, not buy into the theology that the rest of the congregation buys into," said principal researcher Christopher F. Silver in an interview with The Christian Post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted July 5, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.10 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted July 5, 2013 I don't worry about sitting next to an atheist or agnostic in church...God knows they're there and, if He is okay with it, so am I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted July 5, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,992 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,689 Content Per Day: 11.79 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 I am thinking that anyone and anything that can plant a seed is a good thing. † Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S Posted July 6, 2013 Group: Junior Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 105 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 25 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/06/2013 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/08/1952 Share Posted July 6, 2013 If a person cares who sits next to them in church, then they have a bigger problem - like hypocracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted July 6, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.10 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted July 6, 2013 If a person cares who sits next to them in church, then they have a bigger problem - like hypocracy. I SO agree. Churches should welcome anyone and everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAP73 Posted July 6, 2013 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 183 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 32 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/22/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted July 6, 2013 I believe that is exactly what we are called to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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