Is it normal to participate in church though i'm not religious?
I'm a very spiritual person but it's been a long time since I've identified as Catholic or Christian, though I was raised it.
I play violin, sing and play bells sometimes for my childhood church. The woman who directs the music and whom I have known for many years is a wonderful person, and there is a good friend of mine who also participates. It is nice to do it in that setting, with my family there, even if I don't believe in Christianity (or any religion).
No big deal, right? I just have a hard time getting through some of the rituals we have to do that include reciting, pledging, doing the sign of the cross. I feel silly doing it. Communion is the worst. Yet, I feel that to be up front and participating and then skipping communion would come off as disrespectful.
I'd hate to not participate, but I also hate feeling like I'm just going through the motions and that I'm under a veil of secrecy as to what my true beliefs (or lack thereof) are.
What do you think?