Why not join a church, synagogue, mosque, etc?

Question

If you don't belong to some sort of group worship service, why not?


(see also http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060627220645AAsdHVF )

Answer 1

I do belong to a church. A Catholic one, in fact. And some people say, "Why bother going to some sort of group worship service when I can experience God and praise Him anywhere else?" But church is not there for just worship. A church exists not for you to be only an individual, but a part of something larger -- a community. The Catholic Church teaches that you should go to church because you are not only worshipping God with others like you, but learning more about how to conduct yourself everyday. Your priest or religious leader should be offering insight to you every time you participate in a religious service. If ever a religious leader does not seem to interest you, try another church! It can be the same faith, just shared with a different community in a different location.

Answer 2

I don't feel I have to be a part of a group. Mostly because I'm a non-believer. Another reason I don't attend is because I feel that Churches are mostly filled with people that are there not because they believe but for ulterior motives. Many people go to Church because it's the place to see & be seen, women stand outside and go "Did you see what so and so was wearing today?" I, at one point, was a believer, attended Church, I went to a private, religion based school! I did not like the way that so many in these institututions "pose" or pretend. Finally, if there is a "creator" I don't necessarily think he needs a middle man to get to me. I'm here, I'm a good person, if that's not enough, then I'm okay with not being close to Him.

Answer 3

If getting all dressed up in your "Sunday best" just to impress your neighbors and sitting on a hard wooden bench in a hot stuffy room for hours on end, listening to some fool spout off about things he couldn't possibly know anything about works for you, then go for it!

I'd rather commune with nature and enjoy seeing God's works first-hand on a bright sunny day in the mountains from the back of my motorcycle.

Answer 4

There are many religions. There are many gods. The Bible tells us this. It also tells us that one God is the most high God, and that we need to trust Him and not the others. Merely joining a group does not insure your eternal safety. if you must-check them all out thorughly. Then decide-just don't make a mistake, it will be fatal.

Answer 5

Because I don't need to go to any of these places to find God. God is within me. I don't need to go to any of these places to worship God, I continually thank God all day, everyday, all the time. Everywhere in this world God created is holy, not just in a church.

Answer 6

I joined my church, but it isn't about "membership" it is about serving God. I am very happy with my choice. Leaving the Witnesses & joining my traditional church that my "adopted" grandfather is the Pastor of.

Answer 7

the church keep asking for bloody darn donations. the mosque makes me wear drappy scarves to cover my head. and judaism juz doesnt appeal to me, with kosher and all. and there are juz too many gods to worship for hinduism (shiva, vishnu,kali)...so dats y i dun join any place of worship!

Answer 8

I belong to the Gospel Church of God in Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

I'm a Christian
I don't belong to an group
but to a family of God

Answer 10

Last time I joined a formal religious group, I was eventually told by one of the leaders of that group that liberals were not welcome there.