Do You Believe in Church?

[redblue22]

Do you believe in going to church? Do you feel it is important to attend every so often? Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

 

[Strathos]

Yes, as long as the environment is friendly and the pastor is good.

 

[Aldebaran]

Do you believe in going to church? Do you feel it is important to attend every so often? Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

I don't go. I used to. But I'm socially awkward and ended up sitting by myself. When I tried talking to people, I usually got the brush off of "We're glad you came and hope to see you here again" at the end. I'm also a single person, and I've noticed that church is usually social for those who are married. That's the way it seems to me, at least.
I still listen to radio programs such as Insight for Living with Chuck Swindall and A New Beginning with Greg Laurie. To me, it doesn't make much difference whether I hear a message on the radio or if I hear it in person if I'm not able to socialize with the people I'm there with anyway.

With all that said, if you're sociable, then I think going to church is beneficial. Fellowship is the main reason for it.

 

[MehGuy]

Hey welcome back.

As a Christian I didn't see the need to go to church. Never found a church that spiritually spoke to me. Funny or not, I'd think communing with Christians here would suffice. Lol.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Do you believe in going to church? Do you feel it is important to attend every so often? Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

Do you believe in going to church? Yes
Do you feel it's important to attend every so often? Yes, like weekly.
Do you find the act of attending church to be problematic? No, if it's problematic you're going to the wrong church.

 

[Soyeong]

Do you believe in going to church? Do you feel it is important to attend every so often? Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

Much of the Bible is written in regard to how to act as a community of believers, so that how Christianity is intended to be practiced, and we're even given instructions not to give up on meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Our spiritual gifts are not given to us for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others, so there is spiritual growth that only comes through a community. If we give up attending church because our brothers and sisters in Christ are difficult for us to love, then how are we ever going to learn to love our enemies?

 

[Ajflyguy7]

I grew up going to church every Sunday and attending youth group, confirmation, etc. I don't miss it at all, haven't been in about 15 years. Obviously, I think differently than most people on this site, I don't believe in god. I don't miss the hymns or the sermons. I had so many doubts and questions, but no one had any good answers. I'm so much happier now that I have completely broken away from the church and religion. Good luck in your search!

 

[Tinker Grey]

No. No. And, no (for certain definitions of problematic.)

 

[Aldebaran]

I grew up going to church every Sunday and attending youth group, confirmation, etc. I don't miss it at all, haven't been in about 15 years. Obviously, I think differently than most people on this site, I don't believe in god. I don't miss the hymns or the sermons. I had so many doubts and questions, but no one had any good answers. I'm so much happier now that I have completely broken away from the church and religion. Good luck in your search!

Do you have at least a little bit of interest? I ask because you're here. If you have an interest in certain aspects of it, don't forget to ask.

 

[bekkilyn]

While I don't believe going to church is required for salvation, I do believe it to be very important to be a participant in a community of believers and take active part in corporate worship. While I still argue that "it's not about going to church", there should be some balance between solitary and community worship. (And yes, I'd also argue that solitary worship is also important for those who may think that going to church is all that is required.)

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

St Paul tells us to go every week on the Lord's day and so I do.
As Catholics we're simply obeying the gospel and Paul when we fulfill our Sunday obligation.
Also I'm going on feast days and on occasion on a regular weekday.

 

[Ajflyguy7]

Do you have at least a little bit of interest? I ask because you're here. If you have an interest in certain aspects of it, don't forget to ask.

Thank you for asking, but I don't have any interest. Peoples' beliefs are just interesting to me and it is fun to hear different points of view.

 

[redblue22]

I think church attendance is problematic when people mistake a building for a temple. Temples are places people think God lives in as a house. Church is somehow identified as a temple where people go to meet God. The house of God is people, not a building. It is akin to when people worshiped God through sculptures. There's nothing wrong with a sculpture until people start worshiping someone through that sculpture.

I'm not worried about whatever lesson someone teaches. We should get together with other people. But a lot of church building gatherings are just people who listen to the lecture and run for their cars. That is not the commandment. The commandment is to love one another. You can't love one another through the radio or television or in your car ride home.

I think on friends who have shared and invited me to their church. I go there and they are so into the holy that they barely recognize me. I think that is a symptom of a sick church belief where the building is seen as a the temple when I am the real temple.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Do you believe in going to church?
Do you feel it is important to attend every so often?
Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

"Believe in" could be taken the wrong way. But it is absolutely extremely important to me to be in Church. Not because I'm obligated to go, but because I encounter Christ in the Liturgy. Socializing with folks is good, and is sometimes problematic - that's the nature of human beings. But community is extremely important to us as Orthodox Christians - we are parts of one another. Christianity was never meant to be done in isolation.

 

[disciple1]

Do you believe in going to church? Do you feel it is important to attend every so often? Or do you find the act of attending church to be problematic?

I listen to the old testament about 11 times a year and the new testament more, I've been studying the bible 35 years, I have never found a pastor who values the bible, I've only found ones who try to hinder me not help me.

 

[Oldmantook]

Why would a Christian go to church when 99% of the institutional church doesn't function as it should according the Apostle Paul's instructions:

The New Testament Way of Meeting
1 Cor. 14:26-40

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church. What! Came the word of God out from you? Or came it to you only?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently, and in order.

Compared to:
Our Modern Way Of Meeting
1 Cor 14:26-40

How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, the pastor hath a doctrine, and the minister of music hath psalms. Let all things be done unto worship.

If anyone besides the pastor hath a doctrine, let him not speak; let him hold his peace. Let him sit in the pew, and face the back of the neck of the person which sitteth ahead of him.

Let the people keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith church tradition. But if they will learn anything, let them ask their pastor after the service, for it is a shame for a layman to speak in the church. For the pastor, he hath a seminary degree, and the layman, he hath not so lofty a degree.

If any man desire to remain a church member in good standing, let him acknowledge that what I write to you is the command of the denominational headquarters. But if any man ignore this, he shall be promptly escorted out the door by the ushers.

Wherefore brothers, covet not to speak in the church. Let all things be done decently and in the order in which it hath been written in the church bulletin.
— Rusty Entrekin

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Yes and I love it.

 

[Aldebaran]

I think church attendance is problematic when people mistake a building for a temple. Temples are places people think God lives in as a house. Church is somehow identified as a temple where people go to meet God. The house of God is people, not a building. It is akin to when people worshiped God through sculptures. There's nothing wrong with a sculpture until people start worshiping someone through that sculpture.

I'm not worried about whatever lesson someone teaches. We should get together with other people. But a lot of church building gatherings are just people who listen to the lecture and run for their cars. That is not the commandment. The commandment is to love one another. You can't love one another through the radio or television or in your car ride home.

I think on friends who have shared and invited me to their church. I go there and they are so into the holy that they barely recognize me. I think that is a symptom of a sick church belief where the building is seen as a the temple when I am the real temple.

What you said is one of the main reasons I liked going to bible study so long ago. I did that on the invitation of a friend at someone's house before I started briefly going to church. It was so much more personal at the house. We actually talked to each other and had discussions. And the house itself wasn't seen as the place where the Lord resided either. That's easier to do when it's a building called a church where people meet once a week.

 

[Shempster]

I am kind of off and on. I sort of like going, except I get bored with all the ritual and the same old tired songs get old after a while.
I realize that many people need ritual and that's fine....it just makes me feel a little creepy, which is funny because I grew up a Catholic.
The other thing is that I see things differently than others. Never knew why, but I hear the pastor read a passage, then interpret it and I just see it a completely different way, so I silently object to his words which is a bit unsettling.
I have learned to be open over time though, so it's all good.

I do think we should meet with other believers. It allows us to exercise restraint in our disagreements and practice Love. Sometimes we see issues some people have are the same ones we had years ago. That is our opportunity to share a word of comfort and a little nudge towards the right path.

Yes. We should go to church.

 

[Allandavid]

Nope.

Most Sunday mornings, I walk past a local church on my way to a brisk walk along my local beach. I look at the people arriving for their service.......and I think I have the better deal...

 

[Paidiske]

I want to take a slightly different tack in my answer. I believe in the Church... I believe in the community of faith, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, who together work to pursue God's mission in the world. It's not about going to church, as if Sunday morning is the point; it's about participating in the Church, and being part of what God's doing in the world.