Church, the right way?

Question

I guess I could consider myself a christian, i was baptised catholic and confirmed, but for some reason, I have never really felt god as a big part of my life. I hate goin to church, i never think that god can help me at all. It may be because my little brother is really messed up and hes only 12, and hes had like 5 brain surgerys, and had a heart monitor put in. It just seems to me that god isnt doing all that he can. But i guess what im really tryin to ask, is like do you really have to go to church to be a follower of god? I think that if you do good in your life, are good to others, and just live your life to its fullest, then god will be happy.

Answer 1

"I think that if you do good in your life, are good to others, and just live your life to its fullest, then god will be happy. "

Congratulations. You've already figured out what most religious people never will. So now, rather than believing hook, line and sinker what some religion says God is like, be an observer of the world around you - the good and the bad - and during your life try to come to an understanding of what God is like, based on what you see. I believe that if you pray about it and ponder it, that ultimately you will understand how a "loving" God can allow suffering, - and still be hopeful in your perspective on life.

good luck.

Answer 2

You can be a good person God or not all the things your little brother has endured those are just things of life there is no GOD we are just people and we put more of a hardship on our lives by thinking that there is some mighty God that will help us and save us. But that kind of thinking hurts us more, it's like standing in front of a train coming right at you and you close your eyes thinking some thing in heaven will stop the train. You know that will not happen. Life wouldn't be as hard if we would get away from that false hope that Religion and the Bible cause. I'm sorry for your brother and the tension you are feeling. Instead of wasting time praying and church and the bible take your brother and go watch some clowns, have an ice cream cone together.

Answer 3

Ant,
I think you got it right. Just be a good person, and do what feels right. You don't have to be devout to any religion OR be an atheist. I don't blame you for hating to go to church. God knows when you mean things from your heart. I was raised the same way you were, and I only go to church sometimes. I mean, I think "what's one hour out of my life?" But if you practice good morals every day, than I wouldn't worry about it too much. Everyone has a different relationship with God, and no PERSON should tell you how to practice. That's what religion is: when people tell other people how to worship (And I don't really trust most religions,
to be honest). You can still believe in God, but not have to claim any denomination.
Maybe you should study other religions. Not to convert or anything, but it may be good insight. Study the history of Catholicism, and you'll find out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Study Buddhism and you'll find that they believe in reincarnation, and that people pay in this life for something bad they did in a fomer life.
When my brother got sick, I still prayed. And I knew he wasn't gonna get better, but I didn't give up on God. I just prayed for different things... like to take my brother with him & give him peace. And I prayed for strength to deal with the whole thing.

Answer 4

You'll be a lot happier if you walked away from all relgious cults including Christianity. Any reasonably intelligent can prove and/or deduce that the contents of the Bible are fake.

My studies and research shows that religious people are not exactly rocket scientists, they tend to be below average intelligence, and also have a tendency to be more violent than non-believers. In some cases, the more violent the person, the more religious they are. I suspect that the vast majority of religious people are well below average intelligence.

I wonder if trying to improve the intellectual standard of our global community, would help remove the various religions from our culture, and thereby improve happiness and peace for humanity.

It’s a statistical fact that the higher your education, income, and intelligence, the more likely you are not to believe in a god. For every college student that converts to a religious belief system, 17 college students convert to atheist beliefs.

Atheists have an average intelligence of 25 IQ points above their Christian counterparts. Ever wondered why the USA (75% Christian) is so arrogant, aggressive or violent towards others in this world?

Answer 5

I think that if you had asked this question, and told the person you were talking to about your brother's surgeries... you would understand a little more of the way things work...

Perhaps your brother would be in worse condition if God had not guided the hands of the surgeons who work on him...

Maybe the problems with your family are a part of YOUR test... to see how you will react to them... will you turn away from God... or will you leave the care of your brother in His hands? (maybe with some help from you by making your brother laugh now and then instead of picking on him)...

God does not create the bad stuff in life... people do... and sometimes people that are influenced by Satan...

But, if we trust in Jesus and pray for guidance and help, we will be comforted by the Holy Ghost... and sometimes we will receive knowledge to help us understand... sometimes this knowledge comes much later, after the trial of our faith...

Live life to its fullest? The time we spend here on earth is like a fingersnap in a weeklong celebration of symphonies when compared to all of eternity (ok.. a fingersnap is way too long).

Answer 6

You really should go to Church. We are commanded to worship God together. I am sorry about your brother. Sometimes God does things that we do not understand. But everything is part of His plan. Maybe God is using this situation to get you to get into a right relationship with him. To do this you must turn from your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Answer 7

From a catholic to another catholic I would hope that you would go to Mass and just ask Jesus to help you and your brother through this difficult time. Talk to your parish preist about your struggles, he will help you. Pray without ceasing as God is hearing you. God allows bad or evil things that we don't understand so that a greater good will come of it. Look for that, open your heart to Jesus and ask Him to help you understand Him and His ways. When you unite yourself with Christ in the Eucharist (which is Jesus Himself) there is nothing greater that that, so why wouldn't you want to go to Mass? It's not about going to a "service" to get something out of it rather to go and put your entire being before our Lord to give praise, honor and adoration. You hear the Word of God proclaimed and each time you recieve Holy Communion you do in fact recieve the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. That is more powerful than anything in this world. You want to help your brother go to Mass and offer it up all to our Lord. You may feel like your prayer is not helping but I would stake my life on it that God is hearing you. I will pray for you and your brother. In fact my morning Mass tomorrow will be offered up for you and your brother. May you know His love always!

Answer 8

Sorry you think that way.

I hope some day you really want to know what True Christianity is all about. The catholic church teaches only their own jazz.

Answer 9

Not according to the Bible... you should read the Bible... it will help answer your questions...

BTW... Catholics aren't Christian they are Catholic... Christianity is just a religion and church is just a gathering of believers... neither one is required for salvation... all you need to do is trust in Jesus to forgive your sins and realize that you can't make it to heaven on your own effort.

Answer 10

http://www.upci.org check it out! I have really enjoyed going here! The last ten years of my Life my family also goes and I can honestly say I've really enjoyed going to church every time the doors are open!