I have several reasons for not attending church, I'm not saying church is bad for you but I believe that it has lost its purpose in life. The interpatations, the politics, the judgments weigh heavily and bring bad vibes up and my own opinions towards them really turn me against church. Is there anyone out there that feels like this?
2007-06-21 15:06:16 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Personally, I do not attend anymore. I was AME Zion for a long time and when it becomes all about the money, politics, and conference(which is nothing but about money), it will definitely turn you off. When you have a preacher who is more concerned with what he drives, the house he lives in and always talkin about some kind of fund something is wrong with that in a major way.
It is my opinion that when u deal with what was said above u wouldnt be too much on being in the church building either.
2007-06-21 15:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by Candle Queen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
for quite some time i attended church and wasn't religious, does that make me your arch enemy? ;) the political feuding aspect of religion (christianity i would assume) is not a new phenomenon. as soon as the founders of a given religion die, those that wish to take their spot in the forefront arise. not all sectarian divions of a religion are ill-gotten, in fact i would assume most are spawned from true belief in an alternate version of the religion. but this brings the question to mind: how could they doubt the so-called orthodox version of the religion in the first place?
regardless of why they do it, endless bickering over the truth is enough to drive any man mad (i've been that way for a while now :), so at the very least, i understand your plight in attending church.
small reminder: church is not a mandatory for christianity! if you dont feel the urge for church, i'll save you the trouble now by telling you never to convert to islam :-p
2007-06-21 22:14:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many of us have been or are in your situation now. I didn't really attend church since the early 1990s, but I am attending regularly now, once again. My faith in God never really diminished, it is just hard to go to one when you are living on your own with nobody to be accountable to.
The people there and their thoughts about you should not factor in. It should be more of, "Are you living the way God wants?" Me, for several years, I have gone to church solely to tithe, but now I am going more often. I want to be blessed and there may be someone there who really needs a guy like me, Pusherhombre, to relate and share testimony.
I have volunteered as a greeter and getting to know the congregation better now.
Regardless of me, READ YOUR BIBLE, and get to know Jesus PERSONALLY. It is not about those around you. It is about YOU and God.
I would encourage you to church-shop. Find one you want to be in, or go to several. The whole point of attending church is to fellowship with other Christians and get stronger and find the support you need.
2007-06-21 22:19:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister doesn't. And sometimes I contemplate it...
Christians as a group really bite. (I incl. myself as I am not perfect)
However when it comes down to it God asks us too. I know that many churches forsake real fellowship for coffee and cookies... Not really helpful or purposeful. Not going doesn't change that. We need to be in unity with other Christians so I go to church to be more like Jesus and be obedient even though I regularly feel the same way about it as you.
I just hope that God uses my faithfulness and induces some change...
2007-06-22 03:59:40 · answer #4 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say you believe in God, well big deal the devils in hell believe in God and tremble. The question is not. Do you believe in God, but have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Maybe if you did you would find more joy in Church. Satan will give you any reason as to way not to attend Church, however God's Word says, Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.
2007-06-21 22:18:52 · answer #5 · answered by PREACHER'S WIFE 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have just been in the wrong place-
There are many different denominations out there, especially for those who live in the USA. Believe it or not-there actually are churches that preach and teach the Bible, and then there are many that just play religious games. The main choices are:
1. Catholic-and similar- Lutheran, Anglican, Episcopal.
2. Presbyterian-and similar- Baptist, Bible Church, Independent.
3. Pentecostal-and similar-Assembly, Church of God, Charismatic.
4. Hybrids- Calvary Chapel.
They are all different-
2007-06-21 22:23:07 · answer #6 · answered by Skip-Jack 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Earlier I answered an e-mail from someone in R&S who told me that I was wrong for "how" I believed. I e-mailed him back and told him that there were others in here who are on the same level of understanding as me. You are case in point. I feel the exact same way, and for these reasons I do not attend church, either.
2007-06-21 22:34:31 · answer #7 · answered by RIFF 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the old saying birds of a feather flock together. that is what church is. it is a time to gettogether and pray to God together and remember the leasons that are in the bible. we can do it on our own but it takes a strong minded person in a world of evil. i cannot attend church every sunday becouse that is a work day for me. but if i could i would. i would love to have fellowship with other people. good luck and keep on praying.
2007-06-22 22:43:34 · answer #8 · answered by Ida 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, indeed! I feel exactly like this, except I say that churches are bad for you - because of their politics and judgments - it almost seems like they're deliberately trying to crowd God out of it - I don't think anyone can come to a good understanding of and love for Him if they are caught up in a church culture. To me, it's just a corrupting influence.
2007-06-21 22:18:39 · answer #9 · answered by Leslie J 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I did that for many years. Went from church to church in hopes of finding one that fit with what I believed and basically did my worship at home for many years because of not being able to find the right church. The Lord finally led me to His true church and I can say Iam truly home now and feel the presence of the Lord with in His church. What church? The church established by Jesus Christ Himself, The Catholic Church
2007-06-21 22:21:27 · answer #10 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋