why is it if you dont go to a house of worship your automatically a sinner or you dont believe in god.i feel as long as you lead a good life and you take time to talk to the man himself that's more important then living your life around the belief that you must go to church on sun.morn.or wed. whatever day you go?
2006-07-23 10:29:53 · 34 answers · asked by andy f 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Church is NOT the only way - Jesus is.
Going to church does not MAKE a person a Christian. Its only those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, by having their sins forgiven and turning away from a life of sin, is a Christian.
If you wish to know more go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seeking_reality
2006-07-23 10:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going to church has no meaning what-so-ever if you ultimately don't have the faith to go with it. Going to church shouldn't be viewed as an obligation but rather a place to learn more about what you believe. Only a self-righteous person would call someone else a sinner for not going. Chances are, you just need to find a church that meets your needs and expectations. A church full of self-righteous people wouldn't meet mine either.
It is my true belief you can find salvation one on one with God because there are many ways and places you can worship in your own way. The ultimate relationship is between you and God..not anyone else who feels you have to go through them first.
As with anything, the more we understand it, the more we learn to appreciate it and want to be involved. Don't be afraid to pursue religion, so you can make your own intelligent choice. Just find the right group with which to do that. One that realizes we will never reach perfection, but finds a bond in making the journey together.
2006-07-23 10:44:39 · answer #2 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church was established for fellowship of like believers. We are the body of the Church. Going to church is obeying God when He said not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together (Hebrews 10: 25) We (Christians) are the body of Christ, He is the Head of the church. Can you life without a head? Nor can we live properly with the Head to direct us. Living a good life will not give you eternal life. Only those who truly believe in Christ Jesus our Lord will enter Heaven. Even Christians sin. The difference between a Christian and a sinner is this: Christians are forgiven because they have confessed their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as Savior.
2006-07-23 10:40:22 · answer #3 · answered by preachingmissy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference is you are not conforming to what other people think you should be. I have never been to a church where people weren't having affairs, fighting, arguing, gossiping and back-biting each other. I even visited a church where several women in the congregation were having affairs with the minister. He had impregnated several of them and even paid for several abortions. Apparently, though, it's only important that they are actually in church. It's odd how some actions are justified and others are condemned. Live your life the way you want, do no harm to others and ignore the hoopla. Nobody who answers you has talked to God and certainly nobody is His spokesperson. If there is a God, and by their own teachings, let Him be the judge.
2006-07-23 10:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few important reasons that I can think of right off hand. #1: the Scriptures say to "don't forsake the gathering together of the Saints" as we get encouragement from each other. For example someone stands up and tell what the Lord did for him in this last week, well maybe one of us other fellas really needed to hear that because we're having a hard time. It's always sweet to hear the Lord is working, it encourages us that are having a hard time, to keep on keepin on.
#2: So that we may be taught. God gave everyone gifts, and some of them are teachers and preachers. We need to be reminded and taught about who God is and how he is capable of anything, we humans are so prone to forget it all when something hard comes along. It's nice to sit and get ministered to.
#3. So that we may use our gifts. God has given us all a spiritual gift, and we are to use this with one another in the church. For instanance my gift is teaching. I already use this as a personal traioner, already teaching. so it's a natural gift. So then I teach at church, perhaps yours is giving, and you would use your gift for people in need and not want any attention drawn to yourself.
I went thru a time where I did'nt go to church and I just thought it was alrite too, I did'nt want to bother and thought my walk with the Lord was just great without it, but it is'nt. The Scriptures say "the heart is deceitful among all things." My heart had deceived me into thinking I was just as good a Christian without church as I was in church, and the truth is, there's a big big difference in us when we go to church. We get encouraged, and it is a constant reminder of the Lord and His goodness, plus it helps us to not be selfish and go with the attitude of "how can I bless someone here today?" What can I do for someone? It's too easy to get far away from God without church, as other things creep in and take over. Hope some of this helps........
2006-07-23 10:40:21 · answer #5 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter "what you believe'; the question is, "what does the Bible say?"
Jesus is the only way:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We need to do as the Bible says:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said that He would save His body, the church. There is no salvation promised to anybody outside His body:
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
2006-07-23 10:35:46 · answer #6 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree I don't think you HAVE to go to church but I do think it HELPS
you can fellowship with other christians who help you understand what is happening or what the bible is saying...
I spend a lot of time at my house reading the Bible and praying and only go to church usually once a week if not less
2006-07-23 10:33:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in some ways i agree with you. ppl are to focus on showing the physical signs of being close to God than actually being close to God and showing the spiritual signs. Going to church doesnt make you saved and everybody sins, even the church goers. But, i do want to say that living a good life and just "talking" to God makes you saved either. you can say you pray to God but do you really love the one you are praying to. Also, if you are a christian you need to grow. going to church is a way to grow and be encouraged in christ!!
2006-07-23 10:39:07 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Independent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not a sinner because you don't go to church; you're a sinner because you (and I) were born a sinner. You don't get rid of your sin and become acceptable to God by going to church, or by "leading a good life" or doing good works. You receive forgiveness of sin and become acceptable to God by repenting of your sin and accepting Jesus Christ as your personal saviour.
Let me know if you have questions about this.
2006-07-23 10:36:29 · answer #9 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if the question you're asking is directed at Christianity(which I'm assuming it mostly is) then you have to understand how some people take the Bible entirely literally.
I entirely agree with you upon the view of "if you're a good person, that's all that matters", but, a lot of people disagree and feel you have to be baptized, etc.
A lot of people take religion a lot of different ways, that's all there is to it.
2006-07-23 10:34:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋