I read scripture, pray and meditate, and for the most part feel I have a more personal connection with God that I don't have the urge to go sing and hear gospel with the people in my community. Does this make me a bad Christian? It's not avoidance of the collection plate, or boredom of the sermons, but the community of eyes that are so judging based on looks alone, the fact I'm simply there isn't enough for them.
2007-07-15 03:23:38 · 15 answers · asked by tichothewolf 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i always find religion to be an one on one personal experience. nothing wrong with not going to church.
but in any religion, it is important to expand the faith, and help people find salvation.
church is always a place you can find fellow christians to support you.
2007-07-15 03:30:59 · answer #1 · answered by Shaolin Banker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say it makes you a "bad" Christian, for it's not my place to judge that way. However, it does make you a "baby" Christian.
What benefits do I get out of going to church?
I get to hear instruction from the Word of God from a man who clearly explains it and helps me to apply it to my life.
I get an opportunity to hear God direct my life.
I hear a promise that lifts my spirits.
I get to share my life and the word with other friends, and see how it all blesses them.
I get others' support when I labor with them in prayer for the kingdom of God.
I have tasks to do there that can make an eternal impact on the lives of others.
The worship experience is so much richer when the whole congregation joins together in praises to God.
I can give of my goods to help others in need.
I can share a word that lifts someone else.
I can bring my child in so he can learn from those who teach in a way that children can understand.
I can be convicted by the sermon or another brother, and repent.
The people there are the most friendly and loving I have ever known anywhere because they want to be like Jesus.
I get a good conscience from doing what God said to do.
2007-07-15 11:13:08 · answer #2 · answered by Steve Husting 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Religion as a whole is for you to build your spiritual side. It is a bit like going to school for the purposes of learning about stuff. If the stuff isn't interesting, then don't go...even though its important.
Theres nothing wrong with not going to places of worship, but you must build your connection to the non-material side of you in a way that you understand clarly. Church gives you the guidlines and the motivation, but isn't necessary.
2007-07-15 10:34:07 · answer #3 · answered by carabatzis_2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion it does not make you a bad christian.
What you do on you daily life is what matters. People attend church to keep themselves devoted to doing good. Church is guidance for people who are in need of it. But it is not the only place where you can get it. Meditation and prayer are more powerful and important in my opinion.
2007-07-15 10:46:05 · answer #4 · answered by ANyone but you 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No....it's not bad. I do believe there is a place for personal reflection (which sounds like you are doing) as well as communal gatherings. We can be an agent of change by ourselves, but think what we can do as communities.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-07-15 10:29:59 · answer #5 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are "reading scripture" ... did you ever come upon Hebrews 10:25 ???
"...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching."
You do the math, my brother.
2007-07-15 10:27:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Christians, we need to be part of the body of Christ in order to grow in our walk with Him as well as to serve Him by serving others. He wants us to be connected as one and everyone has a special gift and contribution that He has given each of us to serve the body with. If you are not a part of a church, then you are not walking in full obedience to His word. Find a church that has small home groups. It is an awesome way to get connected with other believers in a more laid back, "non-churchy" atmosphere. We all NEED those connections! Ask God to lead you where He wants you to be.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-28
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues
2007-07-15 10:54:55 · answer #7 · answered by blessed1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it's better if you go to church every Sunday. Why? Because we have to honor the day God rested. Plus the fact, it's one of his commandments.
Honor the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
2007-07-15 12:15:04 · answer #8 · answered by Color 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Religion is tradition; spirituality is between an individual and God. Make your own traditions and honor them and yourself. You're doing just fine.
2007-07-15 10:35:11 · answer #9 · answered by Shihan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's not.I don't attend church,but I'd like to think that my relationship with God is no less important than someone who does attend church.
2007-07-15 11:24:35 · answer #10 · answered by Candi Apples 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋