do we need to go to church ?

hanessah · Apr 23, 2005

This question has bothered me for sometime
Where two or more gather together in My name.
Does anyone else have problems with the denomination game?
Myself I find this site more of a church than buildings I have been to.

Isn't discusing the Word of God . the Bible, what Church should be ?
Or discusing our different views or beliefs so that we can all better understand ?

TheHeretic · Apr 23, 2005

I dont think you would find too many Satanists in your local Church...

or, to put it another way...

I dont think too many Satanists would find themselves in your local Church...

:biglaugh:

michel · Apr 23, 2005

hanessah said:
This question has bothered me for sometime
Where two or more gather together in My name.
Does anyone else have problems with the denomination game?
Myself I find this site more of a church than buildings I have been to.
Isn't discusing the Word of God . the Bible, what Church should be ?
Or discusing our different views or beliefs so that we can all better understand ?

Hi hanessah,

You have just mirrored a phase I went through a few months back. Like you, I have tried to find a 'religious home' in vain. I agree that this site has more caring and genuiness running through it than most of the churches I have attended.

I am happy to accept that my faith is my faith, and that a local park, with no sign of humanity except for the occasional dog walker, is my Church. I would love to be with a group of similar thinkers in person; this forum is the next best to that. Hope that helps.

Economist · Apr 23, 2005

The most important part of Chuch is the Holy Communion. If for no other reason, you should go for that. Also, it can't hurt to have an expert who has dedicated his life to God interpret and relate the scriptures for you. Finally, there's something to be said for being in the physical presence of others and worshipping together. I believe we absolutely should go to Church.

CaptainXeroid · Apr 23, 2005

hanessah said:
...Isn't discusing the Word of God . the Bible, what Church should be ?
Or discusing our different views or beliefs so that we can all better understand ?

Yes and yes!

Good questions that I'd say are at the heart of why many people have soured on 'organized religion'. The feedback I've heard on why people purposely stopped going to church was that either the church was more like a social club where people were talking about everything except faith or the preacher would cut off discussion by telling people what to think instead of encouraging them read the Bible and talk about what they think.

I am 35 and have lived in the same city all my life, but I have attended services in at least 100 churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques representing many different religions. In some cases, I was a guest. In a few, during my college years, I visited with the intention of finding a new church home because of some questions I had with the faith in which I was raised. During this search, through prayer, I came to the realization that I had a church home and needed to become more active.

Don't get me wrong. RF is an entertaining place, but to me it's not a substitute for meeting people in person and talking about God and Jesus with them, where ever 2 or more are gathered in my name...... :162:

johnnys4life · Apr 23, 2005

I think I should go, though it is hard getting up in the morning when you get woken up 4 times a night.

SK2005 · Apr 23, 2005

Yes...

ayani · Apr 23, 2005

hey hanessah-

i do feel it's important for Christians to worship together. Christianity is very much a social religion, and The Bible emphasizes the church as Jesus' body on earth.

finding a denomination or church that you feel comfortable with can be a challange, though. however, i don't technically see anything wrong with gathering on-line with other Christians to worship and study your faith.

Scott1 · Apr 23, 2005

gracie said:
however, i don't technically see anything wrong with gathering on-line with other Christians to worship and study your faith.

I agree 100% with this statement!:jiggy:

prosecutor · Apr 25, 2005

This forum has made one thing very clear. Most who have responded have no concept of what the church is all about. I find it more and more the case as time passes that people want to worship and serve God in their own way in spite of the fact that Jesus said, "God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24) Assembling of the saints is not an elective. If you think that these discussions are some form of "worship", you don't know the meaning of the word. People today want religion their way, to serve God their way, and then expect God to accept them. Folks, that is not the way God does things. He does not need us to tell Him how we should serve Him or worship Him. He needs us to be obedient. That means doing three things: (1) Do what He says; (2) Do what He says in the way He says do it; (3) Do what He says in the way He says do it for the reason or reasons He says do it.
Prosecutor

ayani · Apr 25, 2005

prosecutor said:
He does not need us to tell Him how we should serve Him or worship Him. He needs us to be obedient. That means doing three things: (1) Do what He says; (2) Do what He says in the way He says do it; (3) Do what He says in the way He says do it for the reason or reasons He says do it.

well, if i wanted that kind of authoritative control over my spiritual life, i could always move back in with my mom. :sarcastic

while it's true that some people find fulfilment through living and worshipping acording to a prescribed religious framework, not everybody's wired that way. some of us try out eclectic paths, some reject formal systems of faith to find their own truth. spiritual diversity is, imo, something we should acknolege, accept, and celebrate. until we do, there's not much hiope for peace or understanding between people of faith.

john313 · Apr 26, 2005

it is good to get together and discuss God whenever possible. gathering can be taken as online or on the phone as well, but i prefer in person. Gatherings do not always have to be with those of the same exact beliefs. We grow and become closer as people by learning more about the beliefs of others. (which RF is great for doing). I gather with christians in person often to discuss God(I am not christian). We are all people of the same God whether everyone accepts it or not.

michel · Apr 26, 2005

gracie said:
well, if i wanted that kind of authoritative control over my spiritual life, i could always move back in with my mom. :sarcastic

while it's true that some people find fulfilment through living and worshipping acording to a prescribed religious framework, not everybody's wired that way. some of us try out eclectic paths, some reject formal systems of faith to find their own truth. spiritual diversity is, imo, something we should acknolege, accept, and celebrate. until we do, there's not much hiope for peace or understanding between people of faith.

I agree - I also agree that if one wants to 'worship on line' there is nothing wrong about that. Hanessah, you do not appear to identify yourself with any of the 'Formal' religions, I guess you must be feeling confused, with so many different opinions being thrown at you.

In the end the descision is, of course, yours. Do what your heart tells you. The more people you ask the more differing points of view you will get - try to follow your instinct - as I have said before, I know how you are feeling - it's not very 'nice' not to know. Follow your heart.

lilithu · Apr 26, 2005

There is good evidence that actively belonging to a church (or synagogue or mosque or temple or fellowship) reduces stress and wards off melancholy and generally improves one's health. But that's not what you're asking, is it?

I think it helps one's own understanding and practice to worship "in community." Up to each person to decide what that community should be.

michel · Apr 26, 2005

lilithu said:
There is good evidence that actively belonging to a church (or synagogue or mosque or temple or fellowship) reduces stress and wards off melancholy and generally improves one's health. But that's not what you're asking, is it?

I think it helps one's own understanding and practice to worship "in community." Up to each person to decide what that community should be.

Lilithu, Namaste.

The evidence of which you talk about, is that based on the pretext of feeling accepted by others, not feeling solitary, or is there another element ?

Melody · Apr 26, 2005

While I enjoy the discussions here on RF because there are some incredibly knowledgeable people here and the discussions help me clarify questions I have concerning my beliefs...it's not a substitute for church. When I go to church, it is not to "discuss"...it is to worship and praise my God. I come away with such a sense of exhiliration and I have no doubt it's because of the mass energy of the congregation. I could never handle that level of intenseness every day, but the one day gets me through the next six.

So yes, I need to go to church.

prosecutor · Apr 26, 2005

Note, no one made any attempt to answer what I said. Gracie, you are under someones rule or authority whether you live at home with mom or not. These answers prove my point. People (many of them) are going to worship God the way they choose regardless of what He has said. Also why we have so many religions is not because of what the Bible says, but again because of people wanting a religion to allow them to do what they want to do. Thus they start one. Don't balme religious confusion on those of us who love and obey God's Word.
Prosecutor

Lycan · Apr 26, 2005

This forum has made one thing very clear. Most who have responded have no concept of what the church is all about.

Your arrogance is showing in this statement. Who are you to tell anyone what they do or do not have concept of?

I find it more and more the case as time passes that people want to worship and serve God in their own way in spite of the fact that Jesus said, "God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24) Assembling of the saints is not an elective.

And how is this any of your concern? It is not up to you how individuals express their spirituality.

If you think that these discussions are some form of "worship", you don't know the meaning of the word.

You seem to think your idea of religion to be the most exact and true? Why should anyone have to conform to your definition of worship, faith, fear, god or any other subjective ideas?

People today want religion their way, to serve God their way, and then expect God to accept them.

Being their right and decision....

Folks, that is not the way God does things He does not need us to tell Him how we should serve Him or worship Him. He needs us to be obedient. That means doing three things: (1) Do what He says; (2) Do what He says in the way He says do it; (3) Do what He says in the way He says do it for the reason or reasons He says do it. .

And you have the authority to tell all of us what your god wants, feels, and needs?

lilithu · Apr 26, 2005

Melody said:
While I enjoy the discussions here on RF because there are some incredibly knowledgeable people here and the discussions help me clarify questions I have concerning my beliefs...it's not a substitute for church. When I go to church, it is not to "discuss"...it is to worship and praise my God. I come away with such a sense of exhiliration and I have no doubt it's because of the mass energy of the congregation. I could never handle that level of intenseness every day, but the one day gets me through the next six.

So yes, I need to go to church.

I agree! That is why I go to church so religiously that they call me "churchlady."

But for some people, they may not get that feeling from church for various reasons, and they may feel more comfortable with smaller, more private groups. In our tradition, we have both. And some of the members of my church never go to Sunday services, but they do attend a small convenant group that meets in people's homes some other time. I'd say that maybe not everybody needs Sunday services, but we might all need to worship with other people - in community.

lilithu · Apr 26, 2005

michel said:
The evidence of which you talk about, is that based on the pretext of feeling accepted by others, not feeling solitary, or is there another element ?

Hey Michel, namaste.

The evidence of which I talk about is just a correlation between actively belonging to a church (or analogous body of worship) and both better mental health and living longer. It doesn't prove that worship of God is the cause. It could just be better emotional and physical support from a community of like-minded people - this feeling of belonging and being accepted.

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