I don't think I want to go back to church.?

Question

I've been going to the baptist church for the past 8 months and have felt really great. I feel as though I can feel God's presence there. However, I get very upset (like other people) about the terrible things going on in our world. On television on Saturday I watched part of the news about the bombing in Lebanon where 15 children were killed. It showed you a small injured child being carried to shelter and he was badly hurt and shaking violently due to shock. I have been unable to get the picture out my head and I couldn't go to church on Sunday - I felt so angry! I'm very confused. People tell me - "that's not God's fault". Surely if God is so powerful he can stop this. These poor children have done no harm and it's driving me mad thinking about it!

Answer 1

Good for you .... You have seen the light ....now enjoy life .

Answer 2

Teisha, this is a question that many people have asked over the years and it's a very good question. Why does God allow such suffering?

Please remember that the things you see on TV are being perpetrated by people. If you have been going to church for awhile, I would think you know a little about how the world came to be. That God created the world perfect. But Adam and Eve sinned, and sin entered the world. You're so right when you look around and you're sick with anger at what is going on. But God is not to blame for this....sin is.

There is a day coming when God will step in. This will end. Jesus will reign and rule on earth. But God's timing is His own, and we can't understand exactly why. Please don't give up what you know (Jesus died on a cross to save you, God loves you) for what you don't know (why is this happening). Trust that God is soverign, that He has everything in hand. Even when, to us, it looks like only madness reigns on earth.

Answer 3

First of all, we have the church within us, when we are saved and accepted christ into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, The Holy Spirit is the comforter it talks about in the bible, that when Jesus was crusified, God would not leave us without a comforter, we are the new tabernacle that houses the Holy Spirit, so when we go to church, we go to worship God with other people that house the Holy Spirit,we go for fellowship, so you will always have the Lord with you anyway.

We are not of this world, and that is why when these things happen we need God in our life more than ever, to pray for these children that they find God, so they don't really die, but just go to sleep until the mesiah returns to wake them up for the Holy Kingdom, their will be alot of suffering in this world due to our sins, and satan has alot of pull when people don't accept Christ as thier saviour, and until that day comes when Christ returns and brings peace, these things will continue, but you have a powerful gift through God, that you can pray, and help people know Jesus, so don't ever give up on that, because this is not the end.

Answer 4

Many people wonder why God allows bad things to happen in the world. You are not the first person who has worried about this.

There are many reasons, but here are a few ideas:
1. Sometimes bad people make choices that hurt others. God doesn't stop people from using their free will, even if they use it poorly.
2. Death isn't the worst thing that can happen to someone. After all, when we die, our spirits continue to live.
3. Sometimes going through adversity or hard circumstances helps people to find and strengthen their faith in God.
4. See the story in John 9:1-7.

Keep the faith. God is real. If you pray, He can help you to be comforted, and He can help you to see what you can do about the bad situations you have been thinking about.

Answer 5

First of all, stop believing in the Judeo-Christian version of God. God takes no part in the petty differences of humans. You're trying to place blame on God, but God does not respect people, so your blame and anger are without weight.

Second, become more pessimistic. If you accept that there is a certain amount of evil within humanity, the death of 15 children is less likely to cause you grief. You can only accept that such things happen and try to llive your life in a way that hopefully minimizes the likelihood of these things happening again.

Answer 6

The first thing I need to ask in return is: And how does not going to church relate to bad news? Did everyoe stop going to church when people flew planes into buildings in new york? Did they stop going to church when that government building in Oklahoma City was bombed? When we were fighting in WWI or WWII? Or maybe Vietnam?

And, even if they did, what does that prove?

Look, I am a firm believer in "going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car", but if you go to church and can walk away feeling closer to God, then why is it a good idea to quit when something bad happens in the world?

People have free will, they will kill each other and I am sure it hurts God way more than it hurts you. So, next time you feel that way, stop into God's house and help him cheer up about his wayward children.

Answer 7

The Bible tells us about the end of days. We need to face it. There will be famine, war, destruction and suffering. This should be more reason to go to church. Not a reason to stay away. War comes from evil, not good. Staying out of church, turning your back on God and your faith will not stop the war and fighting or the killing of innocents. There will be a day when we will be told to denounce the Lord to live. I will not. For surely if I deny God, I will die. This earthly existence is nothing compared to what the Lord has for us after this time comes to an end.

Answer 8

At a time like this Church is exactly where you should be. The tragedies going on in this world on not God's fault, it's man fault for losing faith in the Lord. I went through something similar after my 12 year old cousin took his own life. I know just how you feel, have faith, because at the end of the day that's the only thing you can count on.

Answer 9

Whatever you do, don't get back to church!

You haven't any faith at all, I think your church must be about feeling good and you've found something so bad that you don't want to feel good. What would make you feel better? Because it's all about how you feel, right? Your feelings are the mosty important thing in God's universe.

I hope that run of sick sarcasm didn't slip past you.

You need to be kicked out of your spiritual complacency. What's wrong with your silly ***? Your feelings are hurt by seeing a small child hurt.

Poor, poor baby!

What about faith? Where's your first love? Come on!

Answer 10

Don't go back then. However, will this not going to church anymore be more of a feeling that you don't want to, or a fear of the world around you. Will halting church attendance change the feelings you have now, or only reinforce them. It seems you are moved by the world events, but will it change anything if you stop going to church, or will the world continue to shed blood. People have been going to church through horrible wars and everything continues life goes on. Do what makes you feel right but only after you are certain of your choice.

Answer 11

What is happening in Israel is man made. God has already spoken of what will happen toward the end of time. I do believe we are living in those days. Israel is Gods chosen land and the Jews are his chosen people. The war that is going on in Israel has been going on since bible times. These things have to come to pass, as is written. Yes many will suffer including children. There was no death before Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge. After that is when death was introduced into the world. Therefore it is man's actions that cause death and destruction on earth. In times of war no one is safe. Look at the people who abuse children every day. It is not that God chooses for children to suffer, but as we have free will of choice, we as man cause the suffering of our children in the world. I do believe there is a special place in God's heart for children who have suffered so much at the hands of the adults in the world. I also believe that those adults that knowingly and purposely harm a child will one day feel the wrath of the almighty God. Please do not stop going to church, those children every where need our prayers everyday. If you want to do something to help abused children, get involved in your community with a program for abused children and if you don't have one start one. We need it. Save a abused child.