Maybe Sundays are your day off and you just want to rest and relax, not go to a 3-hour meeting. Maybe you work hard for your money and feel that you are the best judge to decide how your money is used for charity instead of giving to your church. Maybe you disagree with your church's dietary laws and drink coffee or tea or sip beer. So how do you handle this pressure?
2006-07-18 19:26:36 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My question is a straight one, asking for your opinion in your own life. In short, please just stick to the scope of the question and avoid dispensing unsolicited advice.
2006-07-19 04:26:45 · update #1
If you have that many disagreements with your church then you should change it. However, what is most important is that you have your own code of ethics and stand by them.
2006-07-18 19:30:32 · answer #1 · answered by jen 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, because I don't serve a religion, but I do serve the living God. Nonetheless, my church has never pressured me over anything.
You sound like you resent your religion because they're asking you to live a life you don't agree with.
Perhaps taking some time to decide what you want from God would help. If you feel like you're dealing with religion, I would wager you have not entered into the heart of what your heavenly Father desires for you...relationship with Him. It's not about rules and regulations...God is perfectly able to show you what needs to be changed in your life. It's about knowing the God you are trying to serve. If you come to know and love Him, change will not seem all that bad anymore, because it's Him you will become like, not your religion.
2006-07-19 03:16:22 · answer #2 · answered by steves_wifey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am by no means perfect, but I do believe a little bit of pressure is required for us to grow spiritually (just like a lump of coal requires tons of pressure to become a diamond). Would anyone repent if they did not feel the urgency to do so?
If I just went to church to hear some guy talk about God (or even if I just stayed home and watched some religious program on TV in my pajamas), and I did not have any responsibilities given to me, then my time spent would be wasted. I would become spiritually weak.
Suppose someone who is fat and lazy hires a trainer to help them get back in shape. It is very likely they will not like doing everything the trainer makes them do. It is tough work. In a similar way, the church helps those who are "fat and lazy" in a spiritual sense by encouraging them to do those things that will build spiritual strength. It's not always easy, but it will always be worth it.
[Edit: I see you have added more details to your question, so I will attempt to answer it more correctly. I find that I often fall short of God's expectations. Although there is always the "pressure" to do what is right, or doing what the church expects of me, I don't let it bother me that much. After all, no one is perfect. But I don't completely ignore it either, because I recognize the need to repent of my ways. The way I would rather live my life is somewhat different than how God wants me to live my life, but I know for a fact that God's way is better than my way and will bring much more happiness. So instead of ignoring God's laws, I try to improve on the areas that have the greatest need of improvement. I focus on one or two of my biggest sins first, and try to eliminate them from my life. When that is accomplished, then I can move on to some of my other sins. There will always be pressure from the church to do what is right, just as there will always be pressure from the devil to do what is wrong.]
2006-07-19 02:57:51 · answer #3 · answered by hmmm... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a non-believer there is no pressure to do things. I do what I think is right for me regardless if people approve or disapprove it...
When I was a catholic I did feel pressured into doing things that I disliked... For example the first Friday of each month I and other students were forced to attend school mass( I went to catholic school for 12 years)
Although I attended catholic I never followed the "rules" I ate meat when I wanted regadless if it was Ash Wednesday or whatever..
This is another way by religious denominations to control the masses...
Time for people to wake up and realize that they can still be living a good life without religion
2006-07-19 02:40:56 · answer #4 · answered by gwad_is_a_myth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As for tithing you've probably heard the verse: 2Cr 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. It's about the attitude of your heart. It would probably be better for you to keep your money than to give it to a church out of fear or guilt.
As for dietary laws, Jesus tells us that: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Mathew 15:11 Drinking coffee or tea doesn't make you unworthy, however getting drunk is spoken against in the bible.
It all boils down to who you rely on for your salvation. If you are trying to be worthy in your own efforts you will fail every time. If you are relying on the perfect, spotless, sinless Jesus for your salvation He will never let you down.
2006-07-19 02:43:13 · answer #5 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no not at all. I enjoy church and church meetings. I think I may find 3 hours a bit much. 1 and 1/2 is OK and time for coffee and chatting after.My pastor as never told us what we should do other than not sin. and he even said tithing is not relevant now we should give as we feel lead.
2006-07-19 02:40:44 · answer #6 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really feel pressured to take communion... but to be honest, I really dislike the taste of the communion bread.
Quite honestly if you are feeling pressure in church, you should re-evaluate where you worship. If however you are feeling pressure following Biblical mandates (yes, the Bible does instruct us to give 10%... it's called the Tithe... but more on that when someone asks), then you should re-evaluate your relationship with God.
2006-07-19 02:35:04 · answer #7 · answered by Rev T L Clark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not very much pressured...oh, Im a Christian btw. I believe that if we truly love God we should put His ways in front of anything we want. In the first place, God will be my choice, over all these little things that I want to do.
And if not, maybe our love for God is not strong enough. To me, Christianity is not a religion, its a relationship with God. Why should I not love Jesus wholeheartedly, since He suffered and died on the cross, just for our sins. He, the perfect and pure, died for us, and we are unworthy of His love but He loves us so so much. Why should I not love Him so much as to just give up a few things for His sake?
2006-07-19 02:34:50 · answer #8 · answered by fkjswlhe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is feedom. You have made it oppression. Instead of looking at your church you should evaluate your heart and ask why you make a big deal over minor things. Also read the scripture and see where you are being led by Christ.
2006-07-19 02:41:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually find delight in God' law.
Psalm 1:2
1 John 5:3
Many religions will twist scriptures and make unnecessary commands, making worship to God a burden. I recommend studying the Bible deeply, praying for understanding. Many who do this find that their religion isn't filling their spiritual need.
2006-07-19 02:32:45 · answer #10 · answered by johnusmaximus1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a small reason why I'm a Unitarian Universalist. We concentrate on the big issues and don't sweat over diets and tribal customs.
2006-07-19 02:33:24 · answer #11 · answered by Houyhnhnm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋