How long does it take to wash church off?

Question

Last weekend, I arrested 3 young men for running out of the liquor store with eight cases of beer. And the next morning, I watched as they lined up, on the church steps, to shake hands with the minister.
So my question is, is faith something that only lingers for a few hours, keeps us in check for a small amount of time before we can get on with our business of stealing and other assorted mischief? Can we wash it off, does it wear off like medication? Or is it all just a big show like I originally thought?

Answer 1

It's a farce..just as you thought...

Answer 2

Matt, you know I am not a fan of religion. I went to church for years. Raised a Catholic, alter boy, born again, Baptist and on and on. Religion has it's place. It does many good things in people's lives and the local community.

Like every other organization that is comprised of people, you will find everything people can bring to it such as love, kindness, graciousness and commitment. You will also find hypocrisy, meanness, deceitfulness and greed.

Faith comes and goes. Has its high points and low points. Faith doesn't change humanity - it's more like the salt in the sweat of humanity. Religion will never allow them to get it right and will forever demand not only their sweat, but their blood and tears.

So don't be discouraged by what you see. Best we can do is join God by accepting that it is what it is - and that God is not holding it against them.

Answer 3

You are making an assessment based on what you saw without knowedge of what was said. Appearences are often decieving. It you were a detective you would know that.

If anybody is wearing church and expect to get on the good side of God, that won't cut it. However if they put on Christ like God did with Adam and Eve then when the Father in heaven would see them He would see perfection and not the sinners they turned out to be. For more info go to http://www.carm.org/seekers.htm

Answer 4

for some people. I use to work a job were I was treated like a servant by many customers and when I attended church I started noticing some of these people sitting among the congregation. I stopped going to church for a while as this disgusted me. The truth is faith is something you yourself live with not something you attain from attended church. Unfortunately some people believe if they go to church that is all it take to be forgivin for their actions.

Answer 5

I suppose it is different for each person but for me church is a place I rarely visit. Too much pomp and circumstance and i do not wish to sit next to satan through the whole service. So, my church is in my home where I can study and talk to God as often as I want on any given day. If I do not feel well enough to go anywhere I can simply curl up with my heating blanket and my bible and get my own special message. So no, my "Church" does not wash off....it's beauty runs right to the bone.

Answer 6

I say hats off to the parents for TRYING to raise their kids right and at least they weren't allowed to be roaming the streets and getting into more mischief the next morning. What better place to take them after getting into trouble than the church in hopes that they will allow the gospel of Jesus Christ to penetrate their sinful rebellious hearts??

Answer 7

I have been telling anyone who asks on the LGBT section that Christians are Christians because they trust in God through Jesus Christ. It doesn't have anything to do with perfect behavior. Thus, and Gay person can be Christian, and being straight is not a prerequisite of being Christian. Youth's and old people alike will do stupid things all their life, but if there is something that they are trusting God about, they are saved people that do things wrong.

It's really a simple message, but it seems so difficult to get across.

Answer 8

The problem with your question is that you somehow equate church with faith and faith with morality. As long as you do, then church (or any sacrament and expression of faith) will have to be accompanied with your standard of what is moral and what is not. And therefore of course, what is real faith and what isn't. And that is not the purpose of faith. Keeping people in check is your job, not God's or faith's. You are the policeman, he is not, and neither is faith. Which of course leads to many other questions, which you did not ask (yet), and I therefore will not attempt to answer.

Answer 9

Perhaps they attend Church to "please" their parents. Perhaps they have even made an OUTWARD profession of faith but have never experienced an INWARD possession of it.

You arrested them one night and by the next morning they were out of jail and in church?

Some churches do not even introduce people to Jesus Christ ... what does the Preacher at that Church say in his sermons? What does that church say in their Youth Groups?

Perhaps you should bring the topic up with that pastor some time when you are meeting with him about community concerns, etc.

Answer 10

Its sad that temptation can get the best of some. Satan works well and wears many disguises. You being a PO, see that most. My brother is an officer of the law and whats the most sad is that people living and leading our young (heroic role) and don't have faith. Faith is the things hope for, but evidence which is not seen. Heb.1.. Sounds to me that the mirror in front of you should see a more positive reflection..

Answer 11

Many people, especially teens and young adults, do not even believe in the faith that they follow. They follow it because of their parents. Others simply don`t possess any virtues or moral values.