What is the number one thing that keeps people from attending church?

Answer 1

overall, not wanting God in one's life. Second, trying to fit 180 hours worth of events into 168 hours (24 * 7).

Answer 2

Time. An hour a week might not seem like much to some people, but if you've just been raised to go to church, and do not really believe in the faith of the church you are attending yourself by way of a "revelation"; that hour, and the time preparing for and travelling to church is not exactly a happy thought.

Answer 3

People in church are held to the same holiness standards by society as whom they profess to follow. Since nobody will be perfect this side of paradise, people use this "hypocrisy" as a crutch upon which to reject God, when in reality, the only difference between who is in the pews and who is still outside the walls is that one set has found the truth, and the other is still searching.

The problem lies with Christians who forget that they are sinners saved by Grace, through no work on their part, and then tend to look crosseyed at those whe still haven't discovered Christ. Jesus did not care for these types of people himself (Pharisees). Unfortunately, many churches today have someone that fits this description.

Answer 4

The Church.

Answer 5

I was forced to go when I was younger also. I have a relationship with God on my own terms now. I used to sing in the choir as Lead all of the time, I have a wonderful voice. I'm not just saying it either I won competitions in high school like National Grammy's in the schools, I've met superstars etc. You know what though the last people to be proud of me where my church family, they became jealous. My preacher cheated on his wife openly and got caught, they ended up getting divorced, and I like worshiped that man. I have realized ever since then that whether it Buddhism, meditating, whatever I do it on my own time with my God, as far as what my God means to me, I'm not forced anymore.

Answer 6

Living in an area where your denomination of church isn't easily located. Example: I live in the south, and Baptism is more accessible than Catholicism. Also, the fact I don't want to get up on Sundays to listen to biblical readings I already knew from Sunday School.

Answer 7

Usually what keeps people from attending church is not going....

Answer 8

They might not feel close to God in a church environment, where they might see people go there not to learn from the word of God, but just to show up and be social.

They feel they have a more personal relationship with God by praying at home, being respectful of others, being grateful to Him for what they have, helping others, etc.

Answer 9

The so called religious Leaders!

What keeps people from church is the exclusivity attitude of most the world's organized religions. We, as human beings, are constantly struggling to be more than we are, to learn, to get educated, to better ourselves. Yet, in believing in these religions, we are asked hold on to some text that was written thousand of years back by the religious thinkers and political figures at the time. The leaders of these religions through the centuries has failed to show the real power of "GOD" by deluding themselves into thinking they have the exclusive "right" to GOD to hold on their power. Countless lives has lost because of the "my GOD is not your god and is better than your GOD" syndrome.

May be GOD did recreated everything, and may be s/he used up her/himself in making everything. And may be, may be that everything that is created is what is left of GOD.

Can we look up in the sky, and see the canopy of our church? Can we look into each other and everything to see GOD's reflection?

Answer 10

misconceptions - whether it be misconceptions of the church's teachings - misconceptions on the importance of church attendance (many feel it's optional - myself included, used to think that) - the misconception that judging within the church's members is a reflection of God's judging (meaning God doesn't appreciate those who judge others - so if you feel judged by other Christians - God knows it and will take care of it - He wants you there at church with Him)

Answer 11

Laziness