Church Or No Church? (Jesus, ritual, beliefs, choice, hell)

[Ophiuchus]

8679372

[standing_alone]

Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

I was just wondering, would it be best for me to join a religious community or Church? Or just stay the same and keep plugging away at it?

I think you should do whatever feels best to you. If you are interested in going to a church though, visit various churches in your area of different denominations and see if any of them are a good fit for your beliefs regarding Christianity.

[Buttercup]

I am a Christian...and see nothing wrong with you not going to church. My mom is one of the sweetest Christians I know and she hasn't been to church in 40 years. She prays and reads the bible on her own. She just doesn't like crowds and doesn't feel the need to socialize.

I wouldn't worry about it in the least. Someday if you feel the need for socializing with groups of Christians..it's always an option to go shopping for a church that suits you.

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

I am what we call a "Christian" but I have never gone to church. I read the Bible, and I practice what it teaches in my day to day life. For further understanding of its hidden meanings I do a lot of research, and make my own conclusions as best as I can.

I have found that most non-religious, and or non-christian people are not a great source of support for my lifestyle. This is because they just dont know what I stand for. On the other hand I have also found that Religious or christian people can be very set in their ways, and sometimes even closed minded to new points of view.
I was just wondering, would it be best for me to join a religious community or Church? Or just stay the same and keep plugging away at it?

Thank you for your time.

I was once a "Christian", still hold some "Christ" views, and some, not all, just some christians tend to shun you for not being one of "them" anymore. So be it. As Standing Alone stated, do what you feel is best for the path you have chosen. Some need organized religion, others don't. But be prepared that if youtr views very slightly from the church you join, to catch hell for it.
Church can be a great place for fellowship in making your faith stronger. Some churches have bible study which can be a great benefit. Just go into it, if you choose, with an open mind, don't become a sheep and do not be afraid to question which does not make sense.
Good luck, and Blessed be!

[lunamoth]

Well, from a different point of view than you've heard above, I think that going to church for the liturgy and the Eucharist is an important part of Christian practice. Socializing is a nice side benefit, but being part of a community is a way of being part of the Body of Christ. Of course this is not for everyone, think of the desert fathers who isolated themselves, and some types of hermit style monks. But at the very least it is meaningful to partake in the Eucharist, and perhaps also have a spiritual 'friend' or director to help you take stock now and then.

2 c,
lunamoth

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

Jesus did all his teaching outside of church, so maybe its not all that bad that i havent been a church going fellow. Maybe Jesus still does his teaching outside.

Oh, I'm sure you are in good company. I just figured that since you asked you wanted to hear from more than just people who see it the way you do.

lunamoth

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Ophiuchus

I am what we call a "Christian" but I have never gone to church. I read the Bible, and I practice what it teaches in my day to day life. For further understanding of its hidden meanings I do a lot of research, and make my own conclusions as best as I can.

I have found that most non-religious, and or non-christian people are not a great source of support for my lifestyle. This is because they just dont know what I stand for. On the other hand I have also found that Religious or christian people can be very set in their ways, and sometimes even closed minded to new points of view.

I was just wondering, would it be best for me to join a religious community or Church? Or just stay the same and keep plugging away at it?

Thank you for your time.

You might want to check out the Unitarian Universalists while you're checking out churches. They're an eclectic, open minded group.

[Squirt]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Well, from a different point of view than you've heard above, I think that going to church for the liturgy and the Eucharist is an important part of Christian practice. Socializing is a nice side benefit, but being part of a community is a way of being part of the Body of Christ. Of course this is not for everyone, think of the desert fathers who isolated themselves, and some types of hermit style monks. But at the very least it is meaningful to partake in the Eucharist, and perhaps also have a spiritual 'friend' or director to help you take stock now and then.

I'm glad to see somebody voicing the opposite point of view. I, too, believe that church attendance is important, and for pretty much the same reasons you do. I don't go to church to socialize. I go to worship, to receive the Sacrament (i.e. Eucharist, the Lord's Supper), and to learn things I don't think I would learn by just reading the scriptures. No, I'm not always "in the mood" to go, and I miss occasionally, but if I miss more than a couple of Sundays in a row, it seems like something is missing from my life. (Actually, I'm not going to go tomorrow. Instead, I'm going to the 4000th consecutive live Sunday broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word." It should be really, really good!)

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Squirt

I'm glad to see somebody voicing the opposite point of view. I, too, believe that church attendance is important, and for pretty much the same reasons you do. I don't go to church to socialize. I go to worship, to receive the Sacrament (i.e. Eucharist, the Lord's Supper), and to learn things I don't think I would learn by just reading the scriptures. No, I'm not always "in the mood" to go, and I miss occasionally, but if I miss more than a couple of Sundays in a row, it seems like something is missing from my life. (Actually, I'm not going to go tomorrow. Instead, I'm going to the 4000th consecutive live Sunday broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word." It should be really, really good!)

I certainly do think it a good idea to go to church for the reasons you state...but only if someone is ready to go. My kids have gone to church pretty much since the day they were born and fortunately they still enjoy going, are camp counselors and have gone on mission trips to Mexico. We all go. I was mostly counseling Opiuchus to not worry about it at this point in time...which is what he seemed to want to hear. I am assuming one day he will want to go. I know when I first became a Christian I did not go to church for quite some time afterwards.

Maybe I should ask Opiuchus.....how come you haven't gone to church by the way?