Are most christians fully aware of what they're saying in church?

Question

I remember as an altarboy, looking around at the blank faces as people recited the creed, the declaration of faith. None of them seemed to be concious of the actually words they were saying. Even as a young boy, I found it impossible to accept everything in the creed as truth, yet was compelled, along with everyone else, to recite it at least once a week.

How many people go to church and recite words they either don't fully comprehend, or don't totally agree with?

Answer 1

I attend an Assembly of God church and we do not chant or recite any creeds.

Answer 2

I think that is precisely what turns many people off from that kind of blank, empty, liturgical zombie worship. The whole service is like that! I know with some people though, that is what they think is good worship is and their heart is in it so if that is how they feel, then they are more then welcome to do it. And I think that is why people still nose around those churches because there is still a market for that kind of worship.

But I can say we have loads of ex-catholics and lutherans at Church of Christ and they find a more vibrant expressive worship a great need in their life. But wel all have to make choices on how we are going to express ourselves toward God.

Answer 3

I think people (not all, but probably a lot) recite the words without thinking of what it all means. That's why (or partially why) I don't go to church but twice a year. I'd rather live the word of God than recite it half heartedly.

Answer 4

I see you said you were an altar boy. That probably means you were in a Roman Catholic Church, not a christian church. Christian church further more do not chant creeds, the Bible specifically talks against it. As well as meaningless prayer such as the "our father".

Many Christans today though still do not examine what their preachers are saying to see if it is biblical. This is wring. Many will say I follow Hagen or I follow Benny. This is wrong, Jesus is the one we are to follow not man.

Answer 5

This is so true. I remember being able to recite all of the creeds associated with Catholic mass and the faith as a child. What I couldn't do was tell you what any of that meant and, more importantly, what it meant to me.

Answer 6

Well, you went to a really boring church. Mine is spirit filled and we don't recite "creeds". We praise and worship.

I am fully aware of what I say in church. And outside of church, too.

Answer 7

It is clear to me that your main perception of Godly people is viewed through a catholic lens attained from your past experiences.

This is not good friend, i hazard a guess that many peopel who struggle the most in believing in a God come from a very religious Catholic background, such as in your case as a devout "altar boy"

Catholic religion is just that,,, a religion, many of its creeds are man mand and man inspired, not God inspired.

I have been to catholic services and know how bland, dry and dead the atmosphere is.

Reciting words that people don't think/care about reminds me of this scripture...

Mark 7:6
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

It is true though that there are churches that feel alive, that the moment you walk into a place of worship, something electric hits you and you just feel welcome, and invited.

this is what happens when God shows up, to those who honestly seek him, for God inhabits the praises of his people.


><> peace

Answer 8

Excuse me for saying this, but prayers of endless repetetion are not biblical. In fact the bible says just the opposite, to not pray a bunch of words over and over by rote.

In my church we search our hearts before we speak. I think that should be what prayer is about.

Answer 9

You seen what you seen because you were not with the church, you were in an establishment of religiosity and legalism. The real church is made up of people who have excepted JESUS as their savior, and live in constant "relationship" with GOD THE FATHER through HIM.
It is not people who have flippantly acknowledged that GOD exists and then proceeds to chant a few repetitive prayers once a week to atone for their hellion life style that they live the other six days in the week.
~GOD BLESS YOU AND LEAD YOU INTO A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AMEN AND SO BE IT~

Answer 10

Good question.

I would say MOST people. Unfortunately, many of those who follow the church are going blindly. We can see this by their life outside of church.

Thanks for the question.