In conversation with a friend, I found out that she had stopped attending a local church because,
“I just feel fat going there. Everyone is young and skinny!”
Has anyone EVER heard that argument before about going to church?
I remember that type stuff while growing up, and I was forced to go to Catholic mass every week.
It was more of a fashion show in there, rather than a place of worship. I can honestly see where the person that Mr. Slant spoke of is coming from.
I’m glad I came to my senses and became Pagan.
Why would you think that that? I would think the last thing going on would be any one judging you for being over weight, your appeareance your clothes etc. That’s how it is at my church. I would say if the church you attend is about fashion you might want to find another. By the way I attend a Catholic Church.
Your friend should stop going to this church.
It sounds like an excuse they made up to get out of going, and they’re only fooling themselves.
Do you have any idea how many carbs there are in those little communion crackers? Add in the wine or grape juice and I’m either three sheets to the wind or half-way to a diabetic coma by the benediction. Then it’s out to the lobby for lemonade and sugar cookies. God help you if it’s bake sale or potluck season.
It is sad, and I bet the “young and skinny” folk in that church would feel really bad if they had thought that they had driven someone out who didn’t quite fit.
Unfortunately, churches would be great places without the actual people in them 
Christians are people, with failings and weaknesses, who are trying to be better as a people and as a group. And churches have a character formed from the people who attend and run things. So not all churches will fit.
Si
Never heard somebody come right out and say that, but I’m sure that sort of thing has been a factor in other people “not feeling comfortable” at a particular house of worship.
I’ve heard of churches and synagogues that were mostly a fashion show. Not all of them are, of course, but there are some that are. Pagans being human just like Jews and Christians, I’d be surprised if there were no Pagan groups anywhere that were like this. I really doubt it’s that easy to get away from all-too-human pettiness like judging others based on their appearance. If someone does found a religion that manages to make humans not be petty and mean to each other, I’ll be watching for them to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem…
I’ve never heard that one. The ones I’ve heard the most are “I’m not rich enough to go to that church” by people who like a church’s theology but earn 1/4 of the per-capita income of the other parishioners, or “I’m too young for that church” when the church’s power structure and minister are all 50s or older.
My parents attend a church that was very proud of how few grey-haired people it had in it’s congregation when they joined. They felt a little odd, because they are grey-haired–tending towards the white side of the color line.
10 years later, the congregation has aged and greyed significantly. Between present members aging, elderly parents of members moving in, and various other trends–including some loss of young people to churches with better youth programming, the average age has gone up.
I’ve never attended a church that only had young and skinny people at it, but several of the people I attend a singles group with have left other churches because they felt overlooked by people busy catering to families.
Probably 30 years ago, when I was still a practicing Catholic (I’m now Baha’i), I had a church that I liked a lot because I liked the Priest. One Sunday, his entire sermon was about how we shouldn’t feel compelled to dress up or anything to go to church. His opinion was that God sees us at our best, and sees us at our worst. He doesn’t care what we look like when we arrive, as long as we arrive.
God, I loved that man! I wonder what became of him?
I may go to one of the most fashion conscious churches in the United States. The congregation is certainly attractive. However, outside of a few small cliques, I really don’t think most people are there judging other members.
Those that do, I figure they’re similar to the gray hairs at other churches. Nothing better to do with their time.