Why do people believe they have to go to church or else they will go to hell?

Question

Aren't you thaght to pray to no other shrines,or statuse. Don't you belive a church is a shrine? So why not just pray to him at home and spread the word on the street.Why church?????.........

Answer 1

The followers of Christ were never commanded to go to church despite what many believe today. First of all, the church is not a place. It's a "body" comprised of many members who hold a belief in the Word of God. Many people have misunderstood some passages in the Bible and think they've been commanded to meet together every Sunday. Two scriptural references have been cited in an effort to prove that Christians are commanded to observe the first day of every week as a day of rest and to meet for worship.

The first is found in Acts 20:7 where it's written, "And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them..." This sentence tells us nothing more than the fact that members of the church gathered together to eat and share the flesh of Truth, which in this particular instance happened to occur on the first day of that particular week. We find nothing in this sentence which tells us that they always met on the first day of every week, but we know from Acts 16:13 that some Christians also assembled together, at least once, on a Saturday.

The second reference deals with Paul's advice to the church at Corinth about their promise to collect a donation for the Christians in Jerusalem who were in need of assistance because of persecution by the Jews. Paul's advice was this, "On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." [1 Corinthians 16:2]

Paul has said no more to the members at Corinth than I would say if I were to tell you, "Every payday, let each one of you put aside in a different place from your household money and save, as much as you can spare depending upon the amount of your paycheck, so that you won't have to collect it all at once when I come." Paul has said nothing here about meeting together, or even of collecting everyone's money together, on the first day of any week.

Neither one of these two scriptural references contain any hint of a command for Christians to observe Sunday as a day of rest, for breaking of Bread, or for worship. Nowhere in the entire Bible will you find it stated that one of the terms of the New Covenant is to observe as a holy day any one particular day of the week, month, or year.

Mention should also be made of Revelations 1:10 where John wrote, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day..." Although almost everyone has interpreted "the Lord's day" in this verse to mean Sunday, John actually meant it as a "day that belongs to the Lord," or as "the Day of the Lord," [2 Peter 3:10,12] which does not indicate a twenty-four hour day. John simply meant that he found himself "in the Spirit" on the "Lord's Day," and saw visions of the events of that Day which he then related to us in the rest of the book.

Answer 2

This question will be answered differently by Catholics and Protestants. I am Protestant.

I do not attend church "as regularly as I should" (quoted phrase attributed to my Mother). However, I understand why pastors urge church members to attend regularly, why many members feel they should/must, and even how some can caution those who don't that they are lax at their own peril.

The last verse of Hebrews 10:23-25 urges us to not forsake coming together regularly. That serves as the grounds for those who say we must in a legalistic sense. Throughout that passage, however, is the call to hold to the faith 'we' profess, to spur one another to good works, and to encourage each other. Whether the church meets in a mid-week home Bible study or Sunday morning formal worship, there is good reason to seek the company of other believers.

The church is not a shrine. The church is not a building. The church is the body of believers, the Body of Christ, with Him being the Head and we the members. The body does better when it is cooperating, nurturing, restoring, and lifting up one another. The church comes together in one place on a regular basis so that its ministry can be most effective and its members strengthened.

Also, there is human nature to consider. Most people tend to be joiners and followers, needing the encouragement, leadership, acceptance, and even praise of others to do what needs to be done. How much you are or aren't in that lot may be the basis each one uses to determine how much time each week is spent in fellowship.

Answer 3

The Body of Christ is not confined to a building. However you must surround yourself with people who believe the same as you so that you will be encouraged. The Christain walk is not an easy one and not meant to be traveled alone. The building is not to be worshiped but it is a gathering place to meet new people and gain new friends. It is a place where you can obtain knowledge from those who have been Christains a lot longer than yourself. Yes, you will come across those who seem to be Christains but are really wolves in sheep's clothing. God said let the wheat grow with the chaff until harvest time. You don't have to go to a church to be saved. However, if you truly want to grow you will have to risk meeting new people who will encourage you and teach you by example what it means to be a Christian. You can't do it alone...I know...I have tried.

Answer 4

Most people who believe they have to go to church or they will go to hell are literalistic. *aka: they take everything literally* One of the Ten Commandments says that we are to keep the Sabbath holy, meaning we should worship on the Sabbath. So the above described people believe that means they have to go to church. I am not a literalist so I believe that as long as I dedicate myself to God for a few minutes on the Sabbath, I'm abiding by His Commandments. In the end, its not about how many times you went to church on Sunday, its about your faith in God.

Yes, I guess you could say that church is a shrine, but the worshiping of a shrine or statue is idolatry. A church is a holy place where the faithful gather to worship God or other higher power. Idolatry is worshiping the shrine. And at least in my religion, we don't worship the church.

Answer 5

Obviously they have not studied the word of God enough. The act of going to church has no consequence on salvation. Going to chuch is just a way to 'observe the sabbath'. It can give you a spiritual recharge when the world drains you. It is a place where you can learn about the Lord and give him worship as he deserves with other like-mided people. Why the church is a useful tool in these respects, the only thing you need is faith in Jesus.

Answer 6

For me church is a place to meet with other people of my faith. But it is only a building. If I started worshiping the building there would be a problem. I do pray at home and at other peoples homes and when I'm driving to work and any other place the desire strikes me. There are plenty of outreaches that do spread the word on the street.

Answer 7

Church to a Catholic is the people, not the building. We gather in this special building to pray together. God Himself says that wherever two or more are gathered in My Name, there am I in their midst. Why not church?

As for statues and shrines, they are only representations made available to remind us of people or events. The crucifix reminds us of Jesus' death on the cross for us. The statues of Mary and Joseph remind us of how God stooped so low as to become human (while still divine) to save us.

Most importantly, as a Catholic I also truly believe that Jesus is present in the sacrifice of the Mass. The church building is the only place I can go and truly know that God is there in front of me. The only truly special thing that the church building itself offers us is its service as a holding place or house for God.

God demands that we put aside one day a week to worship Him and participate in the great sacrifice of the Mass. I don't think that is too much to ask after all He has done for me.

Answer 8

Church is a place for people to gather together where they can praise and worship together. It is also a place where you can get the support you need, whether it be emotionally or spiritually. Until you are comfortable, you have the choice of going solo. The relationship you build one-on-one is the probably the most precious part of the walk.

Answer 9

This is about tooooo stupid a question to answer. But.... people generally go to church for the social aspect. Most who say they are christians don't much believe in fairytales anymore .... some do, but most, down deep are not very "spiritual" if that is a good word.

Answer 10

Mostly I think they act out of a guilty conscience. But a church/ mosque/ temple are places of worship anyway no matter what your religion.
I don't think anyone goes to Hell just because they don't attend these places of worship, lol. There're far worse & deadlier sins than skipping Sunday Mass or Bible Study!