Im very busy with school work and a boyfriend, i always open the store on sunday mornings and by sunday nights im so tired i dont feel like going anywhere, i work and go to school during the week.I used to go to church two times a week. but its hard tryin to juggle it all and i cant take time off school and im afriad if i take time off sunday ill lose hrs and he wont give them back to me another day cuz he does that to other employees. i pray everynight before i go to sleep and i read my bible about 3 times a weeek but im afriad that god will punish me for not going to church, what do you think?...
ALSO, i have a boyfriend, hes not excatly athiest not excatly religous, i dont want to try and make him be something hes not but i also dont think i should be with someone who doesnt follow the same beliefs that i do, it might bring up some big issues later...
2006-06-14 02:53:53 · 42 answers · asked by ♥ Stephanie Louise♥ 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It seems to me that you have already made God your first priority, but as far as being able to go to church or not..... you pray at home, you read the bible 3 times a week, he is constantly in your mind and heart (otherwise you wouldn't be so worried as to post this question) - You are in the middle of a very hard time in your life when you are trying to further yourself through schooling, and in order to be able to do that as well as pay bills you also have to work. You cannot help that it includes Sundays. To have yourself - OR ANYONE ELSE - beat you up over whether or not you pray at home or in some brick building that is down the street - just because we call it a church - doesn't mean a thing. The main thing is that you are holding him in your heart.
As far as your boyfriend is concerned. Consider things carefully. Don't just drop him unless you are sure. It is true, differences in beliefs can be a big issue in some relationships - it can also be a small one. It is all of what you make it. If this is an extremely important thing for you, and you two are serious - then sit down and have a discussion. Would he want to go to church with you later on down the road? Would he care if it was a church wedding? If you had children, would he have difficulties with the kids being brought up in the church? You could also ask him why he isn't very set on a certain belief - is it because he is confused about it? Is it just that he has beliefs but is against organized religion? Perhaps he does have beliefs and is spiritual, but he just chooses not to go to church to exercise his beliefs. My father was the same. He hated organized religion, but did believe in a higher power. My brother and sister-in-law both thought he was athiest, and she even at one point stated he would go to hell because of that. I got over my initial shock and then laughed in her face. You can choose to believe that God is an avenging sort of being - all about rules and regulations, OR you can choose to believe that God loves everyone. That we are here to learn certain lessons and it doesn't matter if you are perfect or not. That is your choice to make.
2006-06-14 03:10:16 · answer #1 · answered by shirlock27 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know what you are going through. I work, go to school, and juggle a family. However, my time with God is more important than anything. God won't punish you for not going to church right now, but if you never set foot in a church again, you may have problems. The truth of the matter is that you need a community of fellow believers to help carry you. That's how God designed humans. And your boyfriend, the Bible talks about how through marriage a person can be saved if the spouse is a believer. But if it means a lot to you and he's not at least willing to try and place his life in God's hands, then you may want to look else where.
2006-06-14 03:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God will not punish you for not going to church. Church is the place you go to gain more strength in your journey to become closer to God. So is it important to go to church yes. But there are times when a person can not make it to church. That's why we have a Bible we can read on our own. If going to church were a mandate for getting into heaven many of us would be in whole lot more trouble than we previously thought. The bible tell us to love God with all our mind body heart and soul. Then to love each other as we love ourselves. And last but not least to have faith in Jesus. i don't think any of those things require going to a church but going to church is where we learn how to do the things I mentioned better.
As for yor boyfriend the most important thing is to be good and true to each other. If this is not done then the relationship is done. religion can help us develop the values that can ceate the basis for a good relationship but is not the only thing that is needed for a good reationship. i would say take a look at 1 Cor. 7:12-13
2006-06-14 03:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by rashad h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am the Youth Minister at my church and I understand how hard it is for someone to juggle all that you have going on. First off I would first ask my boss if he could work something out to where you could at least be at church once a week. I'm not gonna say God will punish you but Hebrews 10-25 does tell us to not forsake assembling ourselves together. That means fellowshipping with other christians. I would try my best to get there when I could. As far as the boyfriend goes who is not christian: Does he believe in God? if not I would not be with someone who didn't. Or does he believe in God, but not know which religion to follow? If so try talking to him about Jesus Christ. Lead him to the Lord...Good luck I'll be praying for you daily and your situation with church and the boyfriend....
2006-06-14 03:04:48 · answer #4 · answered by FollowerofChrist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are so totally in trouble with God. He gets really mad at anything you do against his word. Read the Bible over and over again until you see that you should spend all your time in church. God loves gullibility more than anything. Most of all, after you are 18, God doesn't want you to vote. God punishes voters. As for your boyfriend--break up with him. God doesn't like it when people think or question anything. He's tainted by reason. God wants you to act from your gut. Your brain is merely a worthless mass of jelly, as superfluous as your appendix. Don't try to convert anybody. Go to church. And remember not to vote.
2006-06-14 03:08:38 · answer #5 · answered by whirredup 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
going to church doesn't make you holy. God wants you to have a relationship with him. who says you have to go on Sunday find a church that has services on other days like saturday or wednesday night. I find that going to church is about connecting with other believers and learning God's ways. Make the time for him and you will find the rest of the things all fall into place. No he won't punish you for not going to church. About the boyfriend if you are a believer and he is not then your relationship has a big hole in it. Relax God has a plan for your life.
2006-06-14 03:03:05 · answer #6 · answered by patricia c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a good person, you have God in your heart. Believe me, not going to church will do you no harm at all. If it makes you feel better, when you have free time during the day, every once in a while, stop in church and sit for a few minutes. .As for your boyfriend, if there is marriage down the road at some point and time, religion should be discussed to a certain degree because of children you might have.
2006-06-14 03:12:27 · answer #7 · answered by 2179 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i dont know seeing how i am pretty much an athiest, but i support faith in a god if it makes people live good lives. The question is can you place your faith in a god you think may punish you for not coming to a man made building to worship. I do believe that if there is a god then his/her being has nothing to do with the church and all you need to do is live a good life trying to never hurt others or yourself, and you will be fine in the after life. no god needs a church to infulence people if its ideals are good
2006-06-14 03:00:22 · answer #8 · answered by Sam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which "god" are you refering to? The little god that religions tout?
The god that Jesus acts as a personal rep for? Or are you talking about the CREATOR of all things?
Cuz, if you are talking about the CREATOR of all things, every microscopic particle IS part of the CREATION and The CREATOR so everywhere IS "church".
And if you are one of those folks who claim to know so much about Jesus, ah, hello...JESUS spoke to people OUTSIDE in the open air where everyone and anyone could gather together to listen.
The minute a religion erects a building and dubs it SACRED SPACE, they have started a little tree fort club that only certain members are allowed to enter. They reserve the right to kick your butt out if they decide you broke the secret squirrel spit handshake rules.
You want to go to a REAL church? Stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Walk to the center of a forest and look around. Get in a sailboat and move far enough away from shore that you can't see it anymore. Walk into a kindergarden class and listen to little kids chortling with laughter. Go to a college campus and visit the practice rooms at the music department to hear some kid make angels rise from his cello. Plant a garden. Cook a fabulous meal for people you love and watch their faces as they enjoy it. Go to Google Images and look up amazing animal pictures.
GOD IS, so God is EVERYWHERE, EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME.
Honey you are at CHURCH right this second as you sit at your computer and read this... can't you feel it?
2006-06-14 03:37:40 · answer #9 · answered by Mimi Di 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No...about the not going to church part. However, it is good to be in the company of other believers sometimes. Just make sure that if you're taking a break from church, that it doesn't mean you're taking a break from God. Get it?
About the boyfriend part...if it's bothering you that much, then you need to cut ties before it gets deeper. Do not be yoked to unbelievers...remember that? Not to say that you couldn't influence him, but you're not willing to, and that's the problem. The Word says whoever brings a sould to Jesus covers a multitude of sins. It is our duty to witness, and if you're not open to it because he's not open to it, then...well, you know.
Don't be stressed about the church part, but give the bf part some serious thought. Is that who you really want, anyway?
2006-06-14 02:58:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋