What's the best excuse for me to say if a neighbor is inviting me to attend their church but I don't want to?

Or............you could just go once. It does not mean you have converted or believe what they say.

I'm Jewish and have been to church and other places of worship from a few different religions. I don't participate in what I'm uncomfortable with (I would never get on my knees in front of a cross and eat a communion wafer for example), but will sit in respect and observe.

It's been a learning experience as to how others think and practice their beliefs.

As for them being persuasive, a simple smile and a "No thank you but I enjoyed the service" will suffice.

UPDATE: Wow - thumbs down because I have an interest in learning about other people and their beliefs. I'm open minded and respectful..........and oh my goodness, curious. My religion could not be any more different than a Baptist church I attended once with a friend. Night and day were our beliefs. Did it change how I believe, not in the slightest. Did I learn about others and enjoy their company.....more than anything.

What a shame you all seem so closed off from just seeing something different

i had a girl that i was becoming really good freinds with ask us to come visit her church...she is a TOTALLY different religion, very different........I researched what they believe and just told her, 'i think we might be uncomfortable there, just considering our circumstances".......she respected that. Or just try saying that you visit a certain church from time to time already and you are happy there............If youre just upfront about it it will probably turn out better than just avoiding the issue or coming up with some lame excuse.

I think it would be best to put an end to the excuses and tell your neighbor the truth. It may be hard, but you have to just simply tell her, "I have a different religion than you, and I would not feel comfortable attending your church."

Stand tall. Breath.

"Thank you for inviting me to your church, thats sweet of you and Im sure I would have a swell time, but I could think of 100 other things I would rather do like clean up my dogs ****, paint my house and remove my kidney with a plastic knife."

That was the sarcastic mean way. Here is the nice way,

"Thank you for thinking of me. It means a lot that you want to include me in your activites. But I am an ______ insert your belief here or lack thereof-- in my case Atheist ___________ and I would not feel comfortable attending your church. We may not share the same religious preferences, but we do share our love of hot dogs and burgers. Lets have a cook out Wednesday and bring the whole family."

There are other ways that you can still be friendly with these people and tell them nicely to **** off with the church stuff.

If you attend church or religious services, politely explain that you are comfortable with your own place of worship and do not feel the need to go elsewhere at this time.

If she persists, ask her to join you at yours and see how she reacts.

How about the truth. You have your own religion and beliefs. If you are not comfortable going to her church then tell her. This should not hurt her feelings and if it does, she will get over it. Tell her in a very polite manner. Unless you tell the truth, she will continue to invite you. Good luck

Make your hands into fists, then pout and stomp around while saying, "But I don't wanna go! I don't wanna!" in a real nasally voice, like Fran Drescher in "The Nanny". I promise you, they will never ask you again.

Carry around a spray bottle filled with holy water. When she asks you again spray her in the face while firmly declaring, "No. No." It worked for my cat (God rest his soul) who was also "persistent" about scratching on the furniture.

When she starts to ask, pick up a stick, wave it around to get her attention and then throw it as far as you can. When she runs after it - or even if she doesn't - run away as fast as you can.

Burp loudly in her face every time she asks.

Agree to go then say, "Look what I can do!" And then jump around spastically or dance really, really badly. Then say, "I can't wait to show that to all the people in church." She'll probably dis-invite you.

Invest in a mannequin. When she asks you to go say, "Only if I can bring (mannequin's name)" When she asks who that is run back into the house and bring out mannequin. Smile proudly and declare your undying love for mannequin. Than have an argument with it, call it names, throw it on the ground and start crying.

Collect some dead cockroaches or other dead bugs. Tell her you'll go to church only if they promise to resurrect your "friends". Start crying.

If these suggestion don't work then nothing will.

Don't use an excuse, speak the truth.

That's really nice you thought of inviting me to your church, but ..

I am a (Catholic)_(Atheist)____________, and I only go to (mass) (don't attend any services). Thanks for the invite though. But...just because we (attend different churches)/(different beliefs) it does not mean we cannot share a picnic, bar-b-q, etc.....

The best way to handle them is to be as firm as you can in saying no with the additional information that you are already actively involved in your own church's activities.

Either thank her for the invitation and tell her you don't want to go, or thank her and tell her you will go to her church if she will go to yours. That is fair, and if she takes you up on that (which I doubt) you will both learn about each other's beliefs.