Do you go to church? (Page 23 of 26)

****in' Magnets!!

also to answer the topicI rarely go to church anymore unless it's for some kind of special ceremony (wedding, baptism etc.)

Just not something I feel is necessary as long as I maintain my values and try to be a good person all around

Just because you doesn't regularly go to church doesn't mean he doesn't have faith...  And it's also not for us to judge regardless.  I have personally only attended one church service in my entire life, not counting the sermons I've listened to from my paster on TV; yet I consider myself Christian and a believer.

but you don't have to go to church every sunday for that. the purpose of the bible is to teach people to help others before they help themselves, to be as selfless as possible. that's also a part of the Jedi code.

actually going to church is completely unnecessary, but if it makes people feel better, there's no need to stop them.

And yet again, church isn't the only place you can experience that.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything against going to church, but you're making it sound like this is the ONLY place you can find your faith, accept Christ as your savior, or even enjoy the company of fellow believers. 

If church is the only place you have been able to find these things, more power to you.  However, you can't make a blanket statement that everyone must go to church to find fellow Christians or salvation; it's just not true.  On top of that, I'd rather Never go to church and believe as I have been taught by my family and my first paster then blindly run to the nearest chruch if it doesn't practice the interpretations of the bible that I believe in.  There's a lot of phony churches out there that only care about filling their donation boxes and passing on fear to keep people in their pews, and you have to be careful. 

Find that one good chruch, stick with it and support it.  Until you find it, keep Christ in your heart, know that he is our savior, live your life rightously, and sincerely asking for his forgiveness when you falter.

no you didn't. what ralin and i are trying to say is that church is not an essential part of the christian way.

I disagree. I think that most churches place too much emphasis on the traditions & rituals rather making an actual connection with God. I'm sure that works for some people, but I find it very counter-productive.

wow draco is back... hallelujah lol

Draco, sir, its good to have you back.

However, I disagree with you one that statement.

While what you say is true for some churches, it isn't true for all. Only churches that have lost sight of their true purpose are like that. Church is suppose to be a safe haven from the cruel world and a center of worship of God.

Let me just say that I am a reborn Christian and I used to love church until I realized some things about the church as a whole that was somewhat...not entirely Biblical.  I officially split when my pastor admitted that they don't go through enough trouble with Bible study.  Since then I've refused to be a part of any denomination whatsoever because of certain issues.

But, going to church doesn't make you a Christian, and neither does blindingly following your pastor.  There's only one non-denominational church in my town and I've been deliberating whether or not I should go.

And I agree with Draco about the rituals and stuff in churches.  In my old church, the service lasts for 90 minutes, 45 of which goes to announcements, prayer and praise and worship.  In the other 45, the pastor reads a verse or two or five and then base his entire month's sermons on those verses, without actually telling us what the Bible really means.

IMO, the church should be there to tell all people the truth, and reach out to those who don't know Christ, instead of telling me how I can reach financial and personal success by applying Biblical principles to my wallet.