it's been a year and a half since i stopped going after years and years of leadership and attendance and since leaving i've never been so strong in my faith and committment. Not all churches are bad but I'm so sick of being judged by people or manipulated by leaders etc. I understand these things are human nature but it hurts worse within the church. I know it's good to have support and help others but I found I couldn't do it any more (i've been to several churches over the years as I've lived in different countries.)
Anyone else out there living a happy christian life seperate from the church?
2007-02-13 02:03:44 · 21 answers · asked by Sarah H 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
attention vicsikixx...
I made the point that i have been to several churches...
2007-02-13 02:10:30 · update #1
i love the 'you'd better learn to get along' comment! does this mean give into the manipulation or become a part of it? I think removing self from a manipulative situation is the only way to realistically continue loving people before the anger, hurt and bitterness turn to hatred and you've got unforgiveness to deal with too.
2007-02-13 05:00:33 · update #2
I am going through the same thing right now. I have tried many churches and something seems to be missing from all of them. I do believe in fellowship though so I am still searching. In the meantime, I do gather with friends and family to discuss God and The Holy Bible. I guess I've started my own little home church? I still give a tithing to charities and churches that I have attended in the past.
May God Bless you.
2007-02-13 02:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I both went through this for about 6 yrs. We did not lose faith in God, we were just weary of Church and practically all the people there, some had been our friends for years. God just kind of slipped into the background for awhile. Then a one of these friends died, we felt so saddened by his death. My husband attended the funeral, I did not because at that point I still did not want to see anyone from the past. They all treated my husband so well and were so happy to see him. That we decided to go back just to see how things were. We were greeted with such love and happiness that we felt like royalty. We have gone back and are happy about it. I have started studying the Bible everyday and growing in the Lord. I guess sometimes we need a break to refresh. God Bless you on your journey. Just remember God will never leave you.
2007-02-13 02:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by angel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It rings true here my friend. Though I wasn't nor am I now sick of church, I am sick of the so called Christians who think that there must be some riff going on in the church at all times. Someone didn't like the sermon, or did you see what he or she was wearing, we need to just get rid of our preacher and fine us one who will beacon to our every call, or I know they have money so why do they only give $5.00 every week? But that's satin, and yes he does work inside the church as well as every place else.
But I feel God doesn't love me any less because I stopped going to the building every Sunday and Wed. and I know that I only love Him more. I have a purer time of worship now in my own church, the church that is also my home, because I don't let satin in here. SO BE IT
2007-02-13 02:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by marvs36 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I too left due to the exact things you described just recently ....I have a prayer group that I go to once a week and we share and teach and worship and pray and it is better than any church service I have ever went to....no manipulation etc.....I also am the strongest I have ever been in my belief.....I go every once in a while to a service but not going back again until God cleans the church up and takes it back....man has really brought church to as place full of traditions and religious actions that have nothing to do with the truth that is in the Word....I fellowship with many beleivers and there are many around where I am from who have left the church building ...we are tired of it and want relationship more than traditions and mans teachings.....God is good and if you seek him no matter where you are He will show Himself .....
2007-02-13 02:14:02 · answer #4 · answered by shiningon 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
and yet, Gods darkish Italian Princess ... David replace into by no potential a similar returned, and neither replace into the dominion. the infant died, and Uriah stayed ineffective. the style of shallow evangelicalism which the question represents relies upon fully on minimising the seriousness of sin, and limiting the implications of our sin to our own inner maximum destiny. that's a pietistic concept of the gospel which does no longer do justice to biblical coaching on the gravity of sin, forgiven or unforgiven, to its horror and the destruction it brings. that's no twist of fate that this faith flourishes in western cultures that are materialistic and violent and that wreak havoc on the worldwide ... which havoc maximum western churchgoers by no potential see. there is no longer a be conscious interior the question or in any of the solutions so some distance that shows everyone supplies a 2nd's theory to the implications of sin on people who're broken via it; people who're assaulted, raped, robbed, impoverished, bereaved. that's no longer remotely characteristic of scripture. that's characteristic of a complacent, grasping, decadent and secularised church. that's the religious equivalent of individualistic consumerism, the worldwide with a Christian veneer. The glib coverage presented right that's no longer characteristic of historic christianity; like millenarianism, that's a cutting-edge invention, loosely pinned to the hot testomony text cloth, yet wilfully blind to the mass of scripture, and combing off of the real nature of wickedness. that's what Bonhoeffer referred to as 'low-value grace'. Its genuine source isn't heaven, yet hell. In that understand, that's like Pharisaism, a whited sepulchre, having the outward style of godliness, yet stinking on the interior.
2016-11-03 08:23:57 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi -
I'm Christian, and study via the manuscripts and the three Biblical languages for 35 years now.
Besides a funeral service for my dad, I have not gone to a church in that entire time.
I'm blessed, happy, and I know that the Scriptures say that God is not any happier with those church traditions, rules, system, etc. anymore than you are.
many times what they teach is their own "word", not Gods word.
Then people just can't seem to understand why so many people turn athiest. If someone is told lies, or something that simply makes no sense at all, should they be expected to just follow it blindly anyway? Isn't it God who was the one who gave us this brain in our heads? He expects us to use it.
It kinda reminds me of the anti-drug commercial; you know, the one with the egg frying in the pan - Now, its just a joke for a tee-shirt. Why? Because the "Partnership for a drug free America" blatently lies to kids, and they know it; that commerical with the egg came out, and kids knew that lots of their friends got high last friday night on various things, and they are just fine today. In fact, they had a great time at the party.
So, those kids never listened to one more single thing that organization ever said, or says to this day. They are a joke. If you lie to people, they will not listen to you even if you have something of truth to say later.
And, they shouldn't be expected to, either.
When Christ returns, its with a rod of iron (thats for correction) - and quess where Christ is gonna go to visit first? Those churches, and whoever is manning those pulpits. And He ain't happy with them, either.
2007-02-13 02:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know what you mean, but we cannot be Christians by ourselves. The whole purpose of the Church is to show God's Kingdom on Earth, where love and grace rule. Too often people are tempted to take control out of the hands of The Holy Spirit and replace His grace with rules and judgement.
I recommend you seek out like minded Christians and form your own house fellowship. Whatever you do, don't try going it alone. Yes, God does give us strength whether we are in or out of a Church, but God's command is to love, and that is something you cannot really do by yourself.
"By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another."
2007-02-13 03:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by waycyber 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hey there....I know what you mean. For years, I would only occassionally go to church. Then, I moved to where I am now and found a church whose motto is "A church for people who hate going to church." None of the judgemental attitude, a relaxed laid back kind of church where you wear jeans and drink coffee during the sermon. Hopefully you can find a similar church near you, because while I believe people can be Christians and not go to church, it's so awesome when you find a body of believers you can belong to.
2007-02-13 02:11:59 · answer #8 · answered by Suzu1980 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Been there, done that, bought the shirt.... but I'm getting over it.
There is a lot of junk that goes on. Things like favoritism, politics, nepotism, clicks and injustice. But Jesus knows the truth. Keeping your focus on Him and His plan pulls you through. (I'm a worship leader & guitarist. I am there to Praise God and not there for men.)
But we do need each other and commanded by the apostle to join in fellowship. You are not called to be a "Lone Ranger" Christian. (Paul called them "wandering stars.")
In a military action, stragglers get picked off. Spiritual battle is like that and Satan knows it. There is safety in numbers.
Back to your question; you are an Unsung Hero of the faith. Great will be your reward in heaven... but not in this life. Focus on Christ, not the storm.
2007-02-13 02:15:19 · answer #9 · answered by TubeDude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only one who lives a happy christian life is the one that goes to church 2-3 times a year.
2007-02-13 02:08:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋