Why not go to church?

Question

Many people seem to use this forum to mock and attack religion and spirituality rather than to explore and understand it. Why not go to churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues to do that? Is it because they would lose their anonymity and their courage and audacity along with it? How is the intolerance of some people for religion different than the intolerance of religious fundamentalists? Are both forms of intolerance in opposition to basic human liberties? Are both obstacles to all of us living together peacefully?

Answer 1

You have raised an excellent challenge! Discussion is one thing; mocking is cruel. If you go to a place of worship you will find an opportunity to discuss and learn. People who use a forum like this aren't interested; they've closed their minds even when they claim to be enlightened. Amen to you; and God bless plurality!

PS I'm a Bible believing and very conservative missionary Christian...who believes in freedom of religion and would die for it. But would die for Christ first. :-)

Answer 2

I want us to all live together peacefully. I fear that the fundamentalists want to make our country into a place where our differences in beliefs are not respected. I would not go to their church to start criticizing their beliefs because that would be rude and inappropriate. A church is a gathering place for people of like minded beliefs and there is a presumption that you are going to be accepting or respectful if you choose to go. Yahoo forums however, are open to all to come and express their viewpoints. There is no denominational breakdown in the category where only those who fit that category post. I think people have to expect they will run into different thoughts here. I try not to mock or attack people's beliefs so much as state my own point of view with the idea of sharing different viewpoints. I try to never belittle people although I do strongly disagree with them at times.

Answer 3

I think you will find that many of the people on this forum have gone to church for many years. I did, and tried many different types of churches.

I try not to be too mocking, but it gets hard sometimes with the "thus sayeth the lord" crowd telling me that I must be lonely, as an agnostic, or don't you know you are going to hell?

You are making an assumption that people posting here, haven't gone through a period of seeking, or aren't in the midst of it.

Most already have or are in the middle of trying to find truth. My experience has been different from yours, but I think you will find that my reaction to honest, good natured people is far different than to those who are here to be condescending and preach down at the poor unwashed masses.

Answer 4

Why should I go to a church? I spent 20 years going to various churches and synagogues. What I discovered at the end of that bitter and terrible time was that organized religion is either evil (in its conservative forms) or vacuous (in its liberal forms). I've studied virtually every major organized religion on the planet, and not only do I have no need for them, but I see them as largely worthless and destructive. Since this is a free country (thanks to the freethinking deists who founded it), I enjoy the right to state my opinions forcefully, and, if I'm in the mood, to mock points of view I find malevolent, dangerous, or even simply foolish.

Answer 5

You must be a Christian. All the other religions are far more tolerant of those who do not believe as they do.

The comments here are rarely critical of other religions other than Christianity (Except for Islam and that is largely because of the war).

It is up to you to believe and worship as you wish in freedom. Why can you not extend that freedom to those who simply do not believe as you do? Failure to do so can only be seen as attempting to dictate to others, not to convert or sell your religion but to force your ideas on others. I would suggest that it is you who is intolerant and wanting to ignore other peoples beliefs/non-beliefs and rights to be left in peace!!

Answer 6

Churches tend to promote thinking is not allowed.
Blindly "believe" what we believe and you'll be ok?
You too can have partiality with an impartial God?

The Bible says "believe [it] not": Mt 23:24; 1Jn 4:1.
For "believe" is notably what "devils" do: James 2:19;
And many shall come in my name... to DECEIVE you.
"Know" the truth... makes you "free" (of believe): Jn 8:32.

Awful lawful God, or contradictory Gods, is un-believe-able.
Return to middle ages in age of grace is intellectual suicide.
Asking intelligent questions in churches get's you tossed out.
So intelligent ppl are gravitating away from divisional churches.

Broad Way <- Narrow Way -> More Excellent Way
Sacrifice <- Sacrifice vs Mercy -> Mercy unto you.
Law <- Law vs Grace -> Grace unto you
Death <- Death vs Life -> Life is winner take all

Not to mention the end of the God Shew already written:

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.

Answer 7

The only reason one shouldn't go to Church, would be because Christ isn't the foundation.

Jesus told Peter that the Father God revealed to Peter to confess that Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Divine revelation who Jesus Is. And Jesus said that on this Rock He will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Answer 8

Oh I've explored it... I spent the first 17 years of my life in church, and it sucked being told every day that I was nothing. Not to mention the outright bigotry and hate that was condoned because of the "holy scripture."
Give me a break... People who are against religion are not against it because they DON'T understand it. It's because they DO understand it.

Answer 9

Why do you think religious beliefs should be exempt from criticism?
I can criticize another persons political beliefs, nobody cares. When I criticize religion, people call me intolerant.
Is it because these beliefs are so flimsy and illogical they cannot stand up to criticism?
All beliefs and opinions, whether scientific, political, religious or economic should be open to scrutiny (and yes, even ridicule).

Answer 10

Most of us have all been to those places many times. The visits have only served to reinforce our opinions.