Is there anything about going to church that isn't selfish?

Question

Maybe I grew up going to the wrong church, but my opinion has always been that the only reason people go to church is to avoid going to hell. If that is true, then isn't that completely selfish? What good comes from sitting an hour in a church listening to a guy reading out of a book you could read for yourself? I know people pray and stuff, but they could do that at home too. Wouldn't it be better to say - volunteer at a charity for an hour every Sunday?

Can't you worship god at home?

and doing onto others as I would do on to myself is not selfish because there is no pay off. I don't get anything out of being kind to others.

Answer 1

i only go to church for funerals and weddings.

Answer 2

It isn't about listening to some guy reading a book that you could read for yourself, nor is it just to pray.
A large part of the church attendance is to praise God in the company of others who are doing the same thing.
There is the 'esprit de corps' involved in meeting with a group of like-minded people.
Living in this society is not an easy thing to do, if you are trying to follow the Christian path; a weekly (or more!) meeting with the right group can re-energize you and make that path a lot easier to stay.
The right group _does_ encourage its members to volunteer at charities, Habitat for Humanity, day care centers, food banks, etc.
in addition to attending services.
Some groups even go door-to-door to evangalize and provide help if needed.

Answer 3

I think you went to the wrong church and you haven't read the "Book" for yourself. Church is for fellowship, worship, knowledge, and doing life together-supporting one another. It is more than just avoiding hell. It is about life and love and having it more abundantly, peacefully, joyfully, and loving one another. We should all be reading it for ourselves because there is a message for each and everyone one of us and we are supposed to fulfill our own path. We are all supposed to have a personal relationship with God. He has a specific plan for you and for me. It is our job to find out what that is and use our gifts and talents. You could go to church and still volunteer at a charity....What is really selfish is not spreading the good news about the Gospels and allowing everyone to know that there is everlasting life and that they don't have to live in darkness. Wouldn't it be better to say---shop around and find that home church that offers you fellowship and assists you in your relationship with a Savior. I pray that you find what your looking for and not to put all churches in the same category. God Bless!

Answer 4

Most people chose to do things that they believe benefit them, does that make us all selfish?

the Bible encourages believers to interact with other like minded individuals. it encourages uplifting, helping, praying, counseling one another. it encourages preaching and teaching. So that is one reason I go.

But when I am there I learn more, I compare it to going to school, I don't know everything but I want to learn more and more about God so I go where I believe there are people who have the knowledge to teach me and help me to understand the things that are in the Bible.

It also encourages my spirit when I go to church, i get down and discouraged at times but when I go to church I am reminded of how good God is thru other people and their testimonies, their prayers and praise or thru the preacher who is saying something that renews my hope. It also helps me see my faults and where/how I can grow and be a better person/christian.

Yes we should pray, read our bibles and continously give God praise individually but to me the Church is a family, no matter how big or small and I've heard it said many times that the family that prays together stays together:)

It has never entered my mind to go to church just b/c I don't want to go to hell, the fact of the matter is that there are people who go to church who are going to hell so going to church is not a pre requisite.

There are 24 hours in a day, how come a person can't attend chuch for and hour or so and then go volunteer somewhere for an hour.
To each his own, but what is your opinion based on?


...BTW...most religious organizations/organizations in general meet together in some form or fashion so in your mind is there no legitimate purpose for this pracitce whatsoever?

Answer 5

You need to find a church that feeds you, where you can find fellowship, love, support and learning.

I go to church, because I need the fellowship with other believers. I love to join in with others and love on our God.

But, Church is more than just a Sunday-go-to-meeting.

My church does so much for the community. We have teams that go out every weekend, helping the elderly by fixing their fences, repairing their roofs, pulling their weeds.

We make regular trips to New Orleans to rebuild homes (at no cost to the owners).

We do so much. We are God's hands and feet. We make regular trips downtown to give food, clothing, blankets for the homeless.

My church is my family. There is true, genuine love there.

Check out a non-denominational, Bible based church. This is our website, just to give you an example.
www.centerpointchurch.com

Answer 6

Sure, you can worship God at home.
Being a Christian is MUCH more than fire insurance.
What do you like to do? Do you have hobbies or interests that you like? Sometimes, do you go to places where you get together with people who enjoy the same hobbies or interests?

There is a lot to be said for fellowship. And, YES, my church has its share of hypocrites and people who may not reflect Christianity in a manner that would make unbelievers come running into the church. But I like my church, I enjoy going, and I like learning more about the Bible and fellowshipping with other believers.

Answer 7

Wat a good question?
So many different people have different views on this whole church and selfish thing.

Firstly I'm a catholic, I don't go to chruch. I do all my worshipping at home. Now some people I'm not saying all think going to church is getting out of hell and they are wrong, but if they think they are getting out of hell then they must believe in God so maybe they do genully love and wish to worship him in a 'place of worship' like church.

I don't go because I think theres more to heaven and hell then it seems. I believe if your religious you may not even go to heaven if you do wrong as many times as you go to chrch and you are a wrong person and do hatred in the world why should God give you a place of paradise?
Maybe Im going off the point here, but what im saying is like you said about charity, I believe if im a god person and dont go to church no matter what my religious upbringing I will get to heaven as easy as that really.
Sorry if I dont make scence I probley got excited about this question and went off track..

Answer 8

Well the thing is you can go to church every Sunday and still go to hell you can also never go to church and go to heaven the point is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you go to Church because you yearn for more knowledge and you want a place where you can Worship the Lord with your brothers and sisters if you are there because of guilt you are there for the wrong reasons!

Answer 9

You're right when you say that it would be completely selfish if someone was going to church merely because they don't want to go to hell. Church is a place where the saints on earth gather to worship and revere their God. Out of love.

Answer 10

That is a pretty bad reason to go to church, I'll agree with you.

True "going to church" is called "worship" and everything we do at church on Sunday should be centered around praising God who's given us life, grace and forgiveness. If we go there for ourselves, and what we'll get out of it, God would rather us just stay home.

Answer 11

No, true Christians know that simply going to church will not save one from hell, any more than simply avoiding fatty foods will help you control your weight. Acceptance of Christ as saviour is the key to salvation. which in turn leads to changes in lifestyle, including, for many Christians, increased church attendance for purposes of worship and fellowship with fellow Christians. there's nothing selfish about that.