Why do people go to church?

Question

I was raised catholic.My father was a charismatic preacher but he never practiced what he preached. I do belive in God but i don't feel comfortable when i'm in church.Now i have kids and i feel guilty for not taking them to church (you should try something before saying you don't like it).Any sugestions?Thanks

Answer 1

...I have a Protestant background - I never quite knew as a kid why I was going to church. I put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 21, after a period of searching for the truth, and looking for purpose and direction in my life.
...Now I understand the reason for going to church. The Bible says in Hebrews 10 that "we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but to encourage each other, and all the more...", since Christ's return is very soon. In other words, we are to get together with other believers for instruction, worship, and encouragement, and that we might serve each other.
...Let me encourage you to go to a Bible-teaching, Christ-honoring church, where Jesus is preached and the Bible is the authority for life and practice.
...Do not let the imperfect life of someone else keep you from doing what you should do - each of us will be held accountable for his actions.
...I wouldn't worry so much about "feeling comfortable." Do what you know you should and ask God to lead you to the right congregation.
...Ask God for His wisdom and grace as you look for a church. May God bless you and help you find a church that honors Him and His Word.

Answer 2

Try another denomination. That is the thing with SOME Christians. We call them Creasters (they go on Christmas and Easter). They go to Church but leave Church at Church. If you want to believe in GOD, go to a few churches in your area until you find one you are comfortable with. Then the rest will fall into place. Remember though the example you father set for you and change how your children see Christ.

Answer 3

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like many people, I grew up going to church weekly with my parents. Now that I'm an adult, I continue to go for a couple of different reasons. First, it's a great place to have social interactions and meet with people who share my values and beliefs. I really appreciate the friends I have at church. Secondly, I learn a lot at church. Third, it's a place where I can feel the influence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Finally, church is the only place where I can partake of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.

You and your children would be welcome to attend services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can find a meetinghouse near you on www.mormon.org.

Answer 4

people go to church for many different reasons, some go to worship, some to socialize, and some go to be seen.
I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with seeing your father not living what he preached. but you do know that we are all human and that we should not read people's lives, but rather the Bible.. people are human and will let you down every time, even those with the best intentions. God won't let you down.

ask God what you should do about your feelings about church... he will lead you where you should be.

Answer 5

People go to church for many reasons. Sadly, those reasons often have nothing to do with seeking God. It is important to teach your children faith in God and if you seek the truth you will find it. It is to bad that your father did not practice what he preached but that does not make what he preached wrong. Worse yet are those who try to play God in other peoples lives when they should be concerned with asking God to help them put their own in order!!

Answer 6

I'm an atheist, but I never tried to indoctrinate or sway my son. I also never hid that I am an atheist and, when he was old enough to bring it up (around 9 or 10), I told him that he should check out different religions and spiritual paths and make his own choice. We hadn't really discussed to any extent since then until about a year ago (he's 24 now). His mom was a Unity type Christian, her family Southern Baptist, my Dad a closet atheist, my mom Protestant, my sister a disaffected church-goer and her current hubby a Catholic. My son chose to be an atheist.

Answer 7

Catholocism is man made and it will always leave you empty. Seek God with all your might, and all your soul and all your mind. Read the Torah and the Holy Bible setting time aside everyday for God and He will reveal Himself to you. Be honest with God and pray everyday on your knees. Don't follow people, follow God. Compare what is taught with what is in the scriptures and you will know when you find a true church.

Answer 8

I know what you mean, I grew up in church and I feel guilty for not having my kids in church. I keep saying I'm gonna start taking them, but Sunday afternoon comes and goes and we missed another service.

Mainly I believe people go to church to socialize with other Christians. It's uplifting, sometimes you need that kind of uplift. Besides it says somewhere in the Bible that Christians are suppose to go to church to be with other Christians.

Answer 9

The problem isn't going to church, but more your father's hypocrisy. Knowing many Catholics as I do, its apparently a religion that thrives on guilt. My suggestion would be to seriously research the various religions of the world and see which one (since we're both Christian I assume its okay to make this statement - the Bible says there is only one true faith) is actually following the teachings of Christ...then take your children to that one.

If you want to narrow it down, here's a few scriptural examples and a little logic:

John 13:35 says: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”

Romans 12:17, 18 says: "Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men."

Here's the logic - if a true desciple of Christ is to display love to ALL of his/her spiritual siblings and to be peaceable with ALL men, this would rule out any religion promoting or participating in war. That narrows it down significantly since you'll find Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Jews, Muslims and basically people of just about every religious persuasion fighting one another in the various wars going on at this very moment. One group in particular you won't find in those wars - Jehovah's Witnesses. And why won't you find them fighting in wars? Because they follow Christ's example of not getting involved in politics, they truly love their brothers and sisters around the world, they have great respect for the gift of life, and they truly try to live their lives as closely to Bible principles as they can. Just a thought ... if Jesus were here right now, who's side of any war do you supposed he would be on?

Answer 10

I go to a fun, contemporary church that teaches the Bible and I LOVE going. I was raised Catholic and I loved going to church, then, too. My family stopped going, but I went with friends. It wasn't until 9 years ago that I found out more about Jesus.