Too many people use religion as a way to obtain a community rather than as a way to learn about and become more like God. Even worse, that community tends to be even more shallow than social relationships outside of church. Church presents potential pitfalls to the person seeking to be true to themselves at all times. Part of the draw of church is the opportunity to participate in a community of like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, relationships at church rarely grow beyond the superficiality of what is shared. To resist the pressure to remain within the shallows of superficiality, avoid the temptation to go along with jargon, rituals, or any other pattern of behavior that you do not understand, that seems odd to you, or that you do not feel is useful. To help you detect the draw of fitting in, imagine you are an outsider attending your church for the first time. What would you find odd or confusing? Could you explain these oddities to a newcomer in a way that convinces them that these differences are an improvement over what they are familiar with? If not, avoid it.
One particular example of an odd behavior that spreads due to desire to fit in is the display of seemingly deep sentiments as a shallow gesture. While there are times when the display of intense emotion or conviction is appropriate, it too often presents another opportunity for superficiality. Those inclined towards public gestures of moving emotion should temper themselves against their day-to-day example. Deep spiritual conviction is not something that only appears at church. True spiritual conviction effects all areas of life, because all areas of life are opportunities to revere and emulate God. Have you invested the requisite discipleship in normal activities to honestly profess such deep conviction at church? Are you a passionate person in real life, or do you just play one at church? Don’t be a different person on Sundays than you are the rest of the week, nor a different person in church than you are outside of church.
It is common for those who attend a given church to have at least some beliefs that differ from the doctrines of that church, but very few speak about or act in recognition of these differences. It is necessary and appropriate to respectfully voice when you dissent from the positions espoused by your church or fellow congregants. It is also necessary to abstain from religious practices that you do not believe accord with God.
It is possible that the deviations between your beliefs and those of your church are significant enough that you should find another church or not attend a church at all. Much of that decision will make itself as you are open in your communication about what you disagree with and consistent in your refusal to participate in what you do not believe in.