Now I know Why I quit going to church!!?

Question

I was raised in the church my entire childhood was focused on church events......as I read the answers given by Christians I now realize why I stopped going...they aren't very christian like at all..don't get me wrong I belive in God and I read the Bible and follow it as much as I can (I am not perfect).. but in my community if you don't attend church service you are trash and scum and they let you know it too..Now isn't that Christian like and loving like God asks us to be...think about this When I go into a mechanic shop ..it doesn't make me a mechanic...just like going to church doesn't make me a christian.. but they seem to think so What's wrong with em..Your thoughts please...

I grew up Southern Baptist so draw your on Conclusions ..

Answer 1

i agree. for some reason, a religion based on peace and love ends up being one of persecution and hate. but for hundreds of years, it's been that way. and not only that, but generations are being raised byt he same views. there are some smart people like you and me who say that it's BS, but there are many more who dont. i went to catholic school for 10 years, and i ended up hating my religion.

Answer 2

Jesus said that by their fruits (works) we would know whether those who claim to be Christians are His disciples or not. Just as many in the past have done their own wills in Jesus' name and have given Christianity a bad reputation, even so do these people follow in their footsteps.

If those who attend such churches feel that those who don't are "scum" and "trash", they have set themselves up as judges, and will in turn be judged before Jesus by their own standards.

And as they have judged without mercy those outside of the church, they will be judged without mercy when they stand before Jesus.

This is where the true disciples of the Lord need to show the world the difference between those who claim to be Christians, and those that truly are. For it the unbelievers see only the hypocrites in the churches, they will think that is what Christianity is about and may never come to know the truth.

Answer 3

I know what you mean. I go on and off. Right now I found a church that I enjoy (for now). I do believe it is important to surround yourselves with other believers for encouragement and edification. I don't think you can really grow spiritually on the internet and watching the preachers on tv. The thing that has helped me the most, is to realize that not everyone has the same mind set as me. Even tho the churchgoers seem ungodly when they treat people like that, I'm sure I do some things that make me seem ungodly too. Good luck and Good God. Hopefully you'll find a church you can grow in. God bless.

Answer 4

Religion is a personal choice. Going to church doesn't make you more or less a Christian. Your community has the problem. If they are so caught up in who is at church maybe they are missing the point. Yes, people go to church to socialize and meet others like them, but it is supposed to be a spiritual experience. If God is everywhere why can't you enjoy his graces by taking a walk, praying alone. Piety is wrong. People who believe they have the only answers and you must believe their answers, are just like the terrorist. Believe like me or be blown up, but in their case it is treating you differently and not very well. I have grown in my faith and believe less in religion. I do go to church sometimes but God always knows I believe and follow his teachings as best I can. God is there for you and loves you as you are. I know it is hard but you have to develop a thick skin or move to a place that every one isn't so concerned about you missing church.

Answer 5

I was so very angry with church - even the whole idea of it frustrated me! I believed in God, read the Bible, just like you, but couldn't stand His church. I felt bad for this and confused, and felt even worse when church-goers kept at me to go.I know they meant well, but grrrrr!

After a few years, my husband and his father told me something that somehow changed my heart... we go to church to serve God and to fellowship with others. In doing this, we stretch ourselves and add to His kingdom because we are in a place where we, imperfect people, can learn from each other, and can help in the many areas that churches need help in (people, leadership, chores, ministry, etc.). Basically, by serving God and plugging into a church - or really, a family - we grow. It's hard to explain and it really isn't easy, but it's true somehow. It's a mystery.. almost like marriage in a way.

Even though I still get frustrated with people and sometimes the 'religious acts' and politics that happen (again, we are all imperfect), once we walk through the doors and I am surrounded by people that I am growing to love and who love me, and people that I am serving, I feel incredible - like I am somehow doing my small part in God's big plan - I am serving Him. I do it all for Him, because He knows, there's no other reason I would ever drag my bootie out of bed on a Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m.!

Answer 6

I agree totally. I grew up Catholic and they are like that so much. They go to church and they don't even listen to what is being said. I have been to other churches since then and most of them do the same thing. Or they will say that God told them things that have nothing to do with the bible or religion. I prefer my religion any day. At least we know we are real and most of us stay true to the religion.

Hugs

Answer 7

Other people doing what they are doing helps to shaw up their own feeble faith. This applies to any religion.
Readers of the bible will understand there are more good reasons to stay away from church than there are to go.

There are of corse good reasons to go, but not going is nothing to be condemned in itself.

Yahushua Shalom
Stephen

Answer 8

i think of we could consistently all vote our hearts. I for you could nevertheless no longer with a sparkling unsleeping vote for a republican for president after what the bush and bush cronies have carried out to the country for 8 years. McCain is in simple terms Mini-Me Bush. If he's elected, it is going to be the comparable ole comparable ole. i'm very disillusioned in Obama. He could have walked far off from that church approximately 20 years in the past whilst he heard the 1st hate message being spouted from the pulpit. Him taking this long to pass away, and doing so in straightforward terms after the 2d fiasco says very little or no for his determination making technique. I, such as you nevertheless think of Hillary has a probability. I, for one, am nevertheless backing her. i individually wish the delegates get up on the convention, and splendor each and every person and placed her in. yet, in the event that they do no longer, I nevertheless think of we could consistently all think of long and frustrating previously we vote for a Republican for the white abode. in case you do no longer prefer to do something, vote Hillary. you have heard of the write in vote, have not you?

Answer 9

They are human....and as long as they are , they will act like this...people most time mean well....but then they let their flesh push the spirit back When I was a child(and now to, I loved cartoons...the old ones and remember usually when a character was having to make a decision between good, or bad, there would be a Angel on one shoulder and Devil on the other.....well we will always have this same type of debate, but without the little shoulder manifestations. I'm Christian and I too have had these type of things, some Sundays everyone wants to shack your hand in greeting then I miss a Sunday, I have a muscle disorder(fibromylgia)
and some morning I can't get out of bed, and when I go back, there are some that act the same no matter what , greet me .happy to see me, and I don't feel like I'm being judged...but then their are others..I think they keep a book on everyone, what we wear, if we sung in tune , did we pay attention,or sleep, were our children to loud. But I still go because I like the preacher and the people, even the very judgmental ones...they will have to answer for what they do,because some people have left because of some of the peoples attitudes.....but I came to church to worship God...and no one is going to run me off....and the Devil works over time with theses people to make them feel bad...and when people don't come back they probably feel good about it ,but they will answer to God for causing these people to leave the church.....so don't give the Devil what he wants, he wants to drive everyone out, I fight him all week especially Sunday morning....I feel bad, and that thought is in my head...and I can almost hear the Devil saying "you feel bad lay back down"....and I do have to fight him....I do know his voice.....but I know Gods too.
I hope this has helped you.
Here's something to encourage you..
.
THE DREAM

I DREAMED ONE NIGHT TWO ANGELS CAME TO MY BED. THEY TOOK ME TO HEAVEN I FELT I HAD NOTHING
TO DREAD. WE STOOD IN FRONT OF A BIG WHITE GATE. IT OPENED SLOWLY AS WE STOOD IN WAIT.
MANY CLOUDS BILLOWED AND SWIRLED ABOUT US AS I STOOD IN AWE OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS THAT
SURROUNDED US. WHAT I SAW WORDS COULD NOT EXPRESS, I WANTED TO STAY AT THIS BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS.
THE ANGELS ALLOWED ME TO LOOK INSIDE, THE BEAUTY THE MAJESTY, MADE ME CRY.
"IT'S TRUE, IT'S ALL TRUE, I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE" I HEARD MYSELF CRY, AS TEARS RAN STREAMING
FROM MY EYES.
I KNEW WHAT I SAW WAS NOT OF THIS EARTH,THIS CREATION WAS FOR THOSE OF THE NEW BIRTH. THE
POWER, THE BEAUTY, THE SIGHT OF IT ALL WAS SO STRONG,THAT THE ANGELS SHUT THE GATES QUICKLY
TO MY NEW HOME. "IT'S NOT YOUR TIME," I HEARD THEM SAY, " WE JUST WANTED YOU TO SEE WHAT WAS
ON THE WAY," THEY SAID "YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN INSIDE THE GATE, BUT YOU WILL REMEMBER WHERE
YOU HAVE BEEN.YOU MUST TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS DREAM. THAT GOD'S WORD IS TRUE. IT'S THE REAL THING.
GOD HAS LET YOU SEE WHAT IS YOUR REWARD IF YOU WORSHIP, LOVE HIM, AND KEEP HIS WORD."
WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT IT'S REALLY TRUE. WE NEED TO GET THE LOST ONES IN IF IT'S ALL THAT WE
DO. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, THE END IS NEAR, AND YES, IF YOU ARE LOST YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO FEAR.
CALL ON JESUS NOW, SO YOU CAN GO TO AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I SAW AND YOU'LL BE EXCITED TOO.
I'LL SOON BE IN MY NEW HOME,PASS THE BIG WHITE GATES. DON'T YOU WANT TO GO THERE TOO? I JUST CAN'T
WAIT!!!!


I REALLY DREAMED THIS DREAM JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN. I FEEL IT WAS INSPIRED BY GOD AND HE GUIDED MY
THOUGHTS AND MY HAND IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I AM GIVING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU AND GOD HAS DIRECTED ME TO DO SO.
I HOPE THIS MESSAGE WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE
TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND TO SERVE HIM. SO YOU, ONE DAY
WILL STAND AT THE BIG WHITE GATE AND BE INVITED IN FOR ETERNITY

Answer 10

Your position is basically sound. Your next step should be to examine why you believe in god, what the evidence is, both for and against such a belief, and what it does for you and to you. Useful materials for this include: