2006-08-28 08:55:58 · 28 answers · asked by sdraterasbil 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Can't you just sing him praises from the sofa in your den? And take a couple shots, instead of that communion deal?
2006-08-28 08:56:50 · update #1
No one HAS to go to church. Church is just a place for gatherings to share the spirit of the Lord. What a great feeling it is to be in a room full of believers, the spirit is so fullfilling! Church is a place to give you faith and guidlines for life, what you do with it is your business. The BIBLE is: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. And prayer is a way to share your thanks, needs and wants with our maker. You can pray on the crapper, walking down the street or wherever, he hears you when you need him to!
2006-08-28 09:22:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Singing praises from the sofa is perfectly alright. I would reccommend against the shots, though. You misunderstand the symbolism involved in communion.
"Church" kinda depends on your definition. "The Church" can be the spiritual body you are actually a part of (or not) as a believer in Christ (or not). If you are referring to a particular building as "the church", then you simply need to understand its actual function. It is not "holy ground" in the usual sense, it is merely a building in which a group of people, with an agreed-upon set of beliefs, have chosen to gather for group worship. This can actually be any room with enough space to accomodate your particular group, be it your living room/den, a conference room at the Holiday Inn, your aunt Frieda's back deck/pool, the local schoolhouse, or Fred's Bar and Grill.
The whole point of gathering is to worship God in a group setting, and not just "alone". Both forms have their merit. Like watching a football game "alone", or having about 10 guy friends over for snacks, drinks, and the game. Both are plausible options, with positive aspects belonging to each one.
BTW, nowhere in the 10 commandments does it say "Thou shalt go to church"! The closest it comes to that is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy". The intent of the command was REST, a valid part of a holy lifestyle, as well as healthy for the body. Religious congregation was not mentioned in the Decalogue.
2006-08-28 09:07:34 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your right. The problem is this. the gospel ( book o the bible) that says as much was TORN OUT of the collected writings by the early church in an effort to make Christianity a formalized orthodox religeon. I.E> to give the church power.
Great plan.... just sucks for the humans who aren't in power in the church.
oh...wait that would mean the majority of christains are blind for not seeing the church is rulled not by god but men who are bloated on corruption. meh.
you want god in your life? i'm cool with that. keep it at home, and spend your 10% tithe in materials to help build a new school / a new hosipital. pay off a homeless person's health bill for a month...
don't Buy the local pastor another mansion .
2006-08-28 09:08:57 · answer #3 · answered by Tom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a church serves dual purposes. One it helps people feel that they are doing something to show their god that they are good subjects and also to learn lessons from a minister or priest. But a slightly more cynical person might say that the church is a way for the leaders of a religion to maintain control, eg the catholic religion where people confess, or the muslim religion where men maintain their dominance and power over their women.
If you really believe in god then do what you think is good and what you think god really wants you to do.
2006-08-28 09:01:35 · answer #4 · answered by Bryn H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's presence is everywhere. You go to Church b/c it's needed to assemble together. There are things that you encounter in life that you can not get through w/o the help of others. Just like you can't go from K to grade 12 w/o teachers you can't get from one level to the next without having spiritual teaching.
2006-08-28 09:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by DaddysGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one has to go to church, Its a personal choice. Just like you go out to the pub to meet friends, there are other ways to talk to your mates, (like talking on the phone or meeting up 1 to1), but sometimes you get a better experience through meeting with a larger group of people. Church is often about community, where you can meet up with other people to pray together, and talk about problems together, but its also a good way of setting aside time just for you and God, without any outside distractions.
2006-08-28 09:07:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Church is the encouragement booster I need every week...the praise, the worship, study from His Word...fellowshiping and living life, gaining encouragement, prayer from fellow believers. I do this at home throughout the week as well, but it's nice to do this with the CHURCH (people, not a building..)...His bride.
Is going to church necessary to be saved? No. Is it helpful to grow in your faith? You better believe it!! God made us for fellowship. We were not meant to tackle this life alone...and, who would want to?
2006-08-28 09:03:43 · answer #7 · answered by SAHM2_1B_1G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God said to. Read Hebrews 10:25 in The Holy Bible.
2006-08-28 09:02:38 · answer #8 · answered by LARRY S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. Religion is just plain weird. Most people do not go to church for the spiritual factors, but more for the social factors.
2006-08-28 09:02:28 · answer #9 · answered by Andrea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!
I Think people go to church only to live in a community where everybody want the same things, and, so, they can fell better!
2006-08-28 09:07:16 · answer #10 · answered by Vitor Batista 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋