I had recently written in my 360 blog about going to the beach for the weekend with my husband for our anniversary. I got a message from a Christian who suggested a nice church in the area. I told them that I appreciated the gesture, but I don't think we are planning on attending another church while we are on vacation. I was promptly told that I shouldn't ignore God for the sake of a beach trip.
Although I do feel that church is important, God is everywhere and I don't feel that I have to be in a building at a structured service to worship him.
I had never heard this argument before. Is it wide-held amongst Christians, or is it just this person's views?
Do you seek out a church to attend when your family goes on vacation?
2007-06-09 12:18:14 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks Father Guido. At least now I know. LOL
2007-06-09 12:23:28 · update #1
Unfortunately, I know lots of Christians like this. And if God could only be found inside the four walls of a church, that might be a valid point. But we all know that is sheer hogwash.
This is legalism in the strictest sense of the word.
This is a power trip that Christians take in order to affect the lives and attitudes of others. It is totally ungodly. Have a wonderful vacation- tell God you love Him on the beach- there's no better place.
2007-06-09 12:34:27 · answer #1 · answered by illbegone_likeabatouttahell 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi! Good question. I always try to go to church when I'm on vacation but I don't always make it for various reasons. But the reason I try to find a place to go isn't so much about making sure I "check my box" as it is about just getting the chance to meet new Christians and get a chance to praise God in a new environment. I love visiting other churches for that reason and being on vacation is a perfect chance to do that! But to be told you are "ignoring" God by not attending a service on a Sunday morning is simply ignorance... it seems like they are making the service more important than God.
Enjoy your time at the beach!
Be blessed
2007-06-10 04:14:42 · answer #2 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are told in scripture not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
Do you HAVE to go to church while on vacation? No.
But why would a devoted follower of Christ look for a loophole? I look forward to the opportunity to worship together with other believers every week, whether it is with my own church or another group. You might just learn something new, or encourage some believers who are there.
We always go when we are on vacation and those times have been some great vacation memories.
I guess the whole thing boils down to: Do you attend worship because you believe it is something that you have to do, or that God expects you to do, or do you attend a corporate worship service because you desperately love the Lord and could not think of anything more important that you might do.
I'll go with the latter.
2007-06-09 16:31:31 · answer #3 · answered by Dave W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I often go to church while vacationing. It's not that much trouble to locate a church, and I like finding "new" churches to attend. It's not as if going to a church service is going to take a huge bite out of my vacation time. I can give God an hour. Sometimes, if it's an area I travel to regularly, I'll have a specific church that I'll attend in that city.
2007-06-09 12:30:00 · answer #4 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Church doesn't necessarily mean the building in which you go in to worship and pray. The bible says that where 2 or more are joined together in my name, there am I also. So I strongly feel that if you and your husband kneel to pray together while on vacation at some point of time, this is as good as walking through any door of any building. Church is where God dwells. He not only dwells in buildings, but he also dwells within our homes, schools, jobs, vehicles, and everywhere else. And the only way He does such is that He have to dwell within our hearts. So if He dwells in your heart, then surely He's any and everywhere you go. Enjoy your vacation; and with God, have a very Happy Anniversary...
2007-06-09 12:28:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
At Hebrews 10:23-25 it is not suggested that we attend Christians meetings, it is a command. The reasons why we are to do so are also stated.
But, there a need for balance here. Just as a sick person is not wrong for missing a meeting, so too, it is not wrong if you fail to attend religious services if they are too far away from where you would be on vacation. But you would not want to make a practice of doing this. Also, we may be vacationing with someone who is not of our religion. Others might not attend meetings if they are vacationing with someone who is not of their faith, but it would be better for them to go . They need not feel that they are abandoning their companion. Besides, maybe they will join us. Or they will see how much it means to us and this will motivate them to go, someday.
It is true that God can see us wherever we are and that we can read his word and pray to him anywhere. But it is at Christian meetings, specifically, where we learn about God and where we can associate with fellow believers.
2007-06-09 14:55:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto to lilmissykato above. Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays, and vacation doesn't count as a valid reason to skip the obligation. It's only one hour out of, what, 32 waking hours in a weekend trip? Not likely to be a major inconvenience unless one makes it so. Besides, it's interesting and sometimes instructive to attend Mass at a church other than one's own home parish.
2007-06-09 12:30:33 · answer #7 · answered by Clare † 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm going on vacation next week and I won't be going to church because I will be spending time with my son. I go often and sometimes 5 times a week so one day is no big thing.
2007-06-09 12:24:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is everywhere. You don't need a Church (the building) to be with God.
Enjoy your vacation.
2007-06-09 12:31:03 · answer #9 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even if I'm on vacation, I would still pray. I'm a Muslim and I have to pray 5 times a day... Just cause your on vacation doesn't mean its time to relax and kick back... You still should think about God even if it is your day off. If you really, and truely love God than you would go to church every day and pray to Him... And as much as you should love God you should also be afraid of him, for ex: he can easily make a giant earthquake like nothing! and I doubte that you would like that xD. *Just cause you need sometime off doesn't mean you should take time off your religion!*
2007-06-09 12:25:06 · answer #10 · answered by ♦Its•Possible•But•Not•Logical♦ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋